Good cheap basic video cards?

[crazyray]

The board has shown a fondness for Creative Labs sound cards. What about video? Again, this is my first DIY, using hand-me-downs including a Celeron 466 cpu. I'll be running Windows 98SE. As always, ease of set-up is a plus. Thank you.

[Roy]

When I smoked an expensive Diamond AGP card by overclocking, I went to a "plain vanilla" PCI for about $25. It's from Trident, I don't recall the exact model. The same one also comes as AGP. Sniff around PriceWatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) for something in that price range.

It's only 4MB but works fine for basic things. I'm not a gamer.

[SoopaStar]

What do you plan on doing with your computer? how cheap is cheap? If you plan on playing games, the bare minumum I would go with would be a 8 meg card. You can get an ATI Xpert model card with the Rage II pro chipset for pretty cheap. Graphics aren't too bad. Or, you could find somone here upgrading their computer here and buy theirs. Give us some more to go on http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Paul

[Richard_Cranium72]

3DFX 2000 PCI 16MB is a pretty Hi-PO video card.. $88.95
also, a good overclocker as I've heard.

go to www.techbargains.com (http://www.techbargains.com) and get a $10.00 off coupon

http://www.us.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?sku=10006151&loc=426

I think there is a rebate available but I cannot find it quickly.

I'll look further and if I find it I'll post it.

DrVette

[crazyray]

I appreciate the input. Regarding Soopastar's question, I am not a gamer nor do I see myself needing a DVD drive on my computer. Additional comments?

[SoopaStar]

The I would just go with an ATI Expert98 8meg card. you can find those for DIRT cheap on pricewatch. The low end voodoo's would go okay as well.

Paul

[Undertow]

I know all this stuff is very expensive, but the video card is the last (internal) thing I would go cheap on. Nevertheless, you should get something with at least 16MB of RAM if you plan on playing any games that were made in the last 4 years. I would have to say out of personal experience that if you want something that is going to install flawlessly, go with a voodoo. The Voodoo's are the only cards that I have never heard of people having any serious compatability problems. Some video cards simply just don't like the rest of the computer, whereas the Voodoo's were made to play with everybody. I am sure you could find a 3DFX 2000 PCI for less that what Richard said, I've seen Voodoo3 3000's for that.

[-VictoryFleet-]

I'd go with a Voodoo 3 2000. They're cheap, easy to OC, and very easy to set up (once installed).

[crazyray]

I feel your sense of urgency. Thank you. My motherboard has both an AGP and a PCI slot open. Which one do I Voodoo?

[LiLRiceBoi]

tnt2

[Dputiger]

I've got a barely used Voodoo3 that's been modified to be very cool (Voodoo3's are very hot). It'll run well above its clock 143 and is MUCH much cooler than standard. If you think you might be interested email me.


However, to answer your question, it doesn't matter whether you go with a PCI or AGP card for 3Dfx--performance is identical. The V3 is a better card (for its price) than you get get about anywhere else.

[cheapster]

If you are really interested in staying cheap and you aren't worried about how many frames per second you can get in Quake 3 at 1024x768 resolution with 32 bit color, you might consider a used Voodoo Banshee card. very easy to install, 16 mb of ram, does 3D acceleration and has very good 2D output, supports high resolutions in 2D - and CHEAP! You could probably get one for around $30-35 on Ebay. I used a Guillemot Maxigamer Phoenix Banshee PCI for a year and a half and was quite happy with it. Does it compare to a new Geforce 2 MX? No, but then it won't cost you $100 either. It is slower than the Voodoo 3, but is about half the price. Excellent bang for the buck.
Chuck

[Savant]

I for one intend to go for a voodoo3 3000 AGP, I don't remember the site but if you go to pricescan, (http://www.pricescan.com) you can find them for $60-$70.
Savant

[This message has been edited by Savant (edited 11-20-2000).]

[wyvrn]

Aren't Matrox supposed to be some of the best 2D cards available? I think the G200 would do well for you and it is cheap.