Good Video Card for ~$50

Steelejaxon · 02-19-03, 02:51 PM

Hello,
I have a friend that recently came to me asking why her Sim City 4 was running so choppy. She explained that she had a HP Pavilion 520C. Well after doing some fishing around I found out she has a 16MB video card. I have not seen the system but the site I found info on it, said it has a 4X AGP slot so....my friend wants to upgrade her video card for about $50. Was wondering what you guys recommend. Thanks.

Socket eh? · 02-19-03, 02:56 PM

A geforce 4 mx440 would be a good bet, but if she wants a card that will be useful longer a radeon 9000 is $60 or so and is fully directx 8 compliant.

Captain Hilts · 02-19-03, 05:21 PM

I picked up a Chaintech Xabre 400 for $80 CAD. I think it's a better buy than any MX440.

john240sx · 02-19-03, 05:37 PM

i bought a used GF3 TI200 for $50. might be worth checking out used hardware if you know it's from a reliable source.

as for a new card, i would go with a GF4 MX440. you might be able to catch a good deal on a refurbished 8500LE from newegg too.

JesseFK · 02-19-03, 07:43 PM

I found a GForce 2 MX400 for $36 at www.ebccomputers.com
They do ship so I am not sure what the shipping charges would be.

Overclocker550 · 02-19-03, 08:09 PM

Get a geforce3 ti200 or 500, paid $80 for my 500. its much better than an mx, worth the extra money. even a 200 beats the fastest mx

jonspd · 02-19-03, 08:17 PM

I agree with Overclocker550 the mx versions suck compared to the t1 200 and the ti 500.

Steelejaxon · 02-19-03, 08:24 PM

Thanks for the info. I am trying to steer them away from the MX. I did find an ATI Radeon 9000 for $60 shipped. Might go with that unless I can find a good refurb. I think $80 might be a bit out of the price range. I'm still trying to explain why the computer they paid $1500 for will not play thier game

The good news is I get to build the next one for them.

OC Noob · 02-19-03, 10:54 PM

the 9000 will beat up on any MX so thats probably your best bet unless you can find a 8500/Gf3 used like some people suggested.

Sn0rKy · 02-19-03, 11:05 PM

whats better the mx420 or the radeon 7500 with 128ddr ram?

Captain Hilts · 02-19-03, 11:09 PM

You can get a 7500 with 128MB? I didn't realize that but I'd say that any 7500 DDR is better than an MX420.

Godsmoke · 02-19-03, 11:56 PM

oh yeah, do NOT get the 420. i don care if you endulge in the herbal arts or not

Overclocker550 · 02-20-03, 01:58 AM

alot of people suggested the 8500le cause its fast and OCs nicely. Some say you can match ti500 performance with an LE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maxvla · 02-20-03, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Overclocker550
alot of people suggested the 8500le cause its fast and OCs nicely. Some say you can match ti500 performance with an LE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ti500 and r8500 are about the same. there is no matching performance since they are so close anyways.

please research stuff before you post, its getting quite annoying.

stompah · 02-20-03, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sn0rKy
whats better the mx420 or the radeon 7500 with 128ddr ram?

is the 7500 the same GPU as my 32MB DDR Radeon LE? if it is I never knew of the memory going to 128MB. but I can tell you that SimCity loads slow...... takes some time to write things when your city gets big. but this is with THAT card and THAT GPU.

SimCity looks good with my 8500 64mb. It does take a few seconds to draw my bigger cities but its not unlivable. Usually solved by zooming out and then back in.

stopdrpnro · 02-20-03, 05:04 AM

jusy keep checkin nthe new egg refurb section 1 of these cards will pop up. i think the gf4mxs were great cards i upgraded from a gf4mx to a radeon 8500 and can barely tell the difference but as long as u stick to 1 of the cards mentioned u can't go wrong

Overclocker550 · 02-20-03, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxvla

ti500 and r8500 are about the same. there is no matching performance since they are so close anyways.

please research stuff before you post, its getting quite annoying.

if they perform about the same, wouldnt that exactly match performance? I consider a radeon8500 equal to a ti500 and 8500le equal to a ti200 on the average overall benchmark scores

Sn0rKy · 02-20-03, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stompah
is the 7500 the same GPU as my 32MB DDR Radeon LE? if it is I never knew of the memory going to 128MB. but I can tell you that SimCity loads slow...... takes some time to write things when your city gets big. but this is with THAT card and THAT GPU.

SimCity looks good with my 8500 64mb. It does take a few seconds to draw my bigger cities but its not unlivable. Usually solved by zooming out and then back in.

they came out with a radeon 7500 with 128ddr.. it goes for around 60$

dreamtfk · 02-20-03, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Captain Hilts
I picked up a Chaintech Xabre 400 for $80 CAD. I think it's a better buy than any MX440.

I read some negative reviews on the Xabre but that's just other opinions.

02-19-03, 02:51 PM	Thread Starter #1
Steelejaxon Registered Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Phoenix AZ	Good Video Card for ~$50 Hello, I have a friend that recently came to me asking why her Sim City 4 was running so choppy. She explained that she had a HP Pavilion 520C. Well after doing some fishing around I found out she has a 16MB video card. I have not seen the system but the site I found info on it, said it has a 4X AGP slot so....my friend wants to upgrade her video card for about $50. Was wondering what you guys recommend. Thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 02:56 PM	#2
Socket eh? Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada (South Korea)	A geforce 4 mx440 would be a good bet, but if she wants a card that will be useful longer a radeon 9000 is $60 or so and is fully directx 8 compliant. __________________ [Alienware M15x] \| i7 940XM 3.2GHz - 4GHz - 5850m 800/1100 1.05v \| \| 8GB DDR3-1333 - WD5000BEKT - Samsung 2494HM \| The coin is still turning.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 05:21 PM	#3
Captain Hilts Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Toronto, ON	I picked up a Chaintech Xabre 400 for $80 CAD. I think it's a better buy than any MX440. __________________ Box 1: Gigabyte 965P-S3, E4300 at 3GHz, Arctic Freezer 7 Pro, OCZ GameXtreme 600W, EVGA 8800GTS 640MB (635/1063 max), 2GB Corsair XMS2 5400, 500GB Western Digital SATA II, Logitech Z-5500 Box 2: Gigabyte P35-DS3L rev. 2.0, e2160 at 3GHz, Enermax 420W, PNY 9600GT, 2GB OCZ PC6400 320GB WD SATA
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 05:37 PM	#4
john240sx Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Prophetstown IL	i bought a used GF3 TI200 for $50. might be worth checking out used hardware if you know it's from a reliable source. as for a new card, i would go with a GF4 MX440. you might be able to catch a good deal on a refurbished 8500LE from newegg too. __________________ CPU Intel E8400 EO @ 3.6Ghz Xigmatek HDT S1284 Motherboard Asus P5Q Pro Video Zotac GTX 560 1GB Ram 2x2GB G.Skill PC2 8000 PSU Corsair 650TX 650w HDD Western Digital 500gb 7200rpm Sata Case Coolermaster HAF 932 Heatware
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 07:43 PM	#5
JesseFK Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Utah	I found a GForce 2 MX400 for $36 at www.ebccomputers.com They do ship so I am not sure what the shipping charges would be.
	QUOTE Thanks

Good Video Card for ~$50

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02-19-03, 08:09 PM	#6
Overclocker550 Member Join Date: Feb 2002	Get a geforce3 ti200 or 500, paid $80 for my 500. its much better than an mx, worth the extra money. even a 200 beats the fastest mx
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 08:17 PM	#7
jonspd D11 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ATL, Ga	I agree with Overclocker550 the mx versions suck compared to the t1 200 and the ti 500. __________________ GD70\PII955@1.4-----------------------------------------------EX58\920@1.3v 17x200\2.2=NB\2k=HT----------------------------------19x200\True@40c\58c 2x1gb@669@7-7-7-18----------------------------------2x2gb@800@7-7-7-21 2405fpw\280's\evga\bfg----------------------------------2005fpw\2x9800gx2 CorsairHX1000\74gbRaptor----------------------------FSP1010\150gbRaptor CreativeX-Fi-Plat\DvD-rw\Win-7---------------------------------DvD-rw\Win-7 3dMark06=17,650-3dMark05=23,908-Aquamark=216k-Wprime32=6.9sc-Sandra=11kmbs My Heat---------------------------Folding@Home@Team32-----------------------My WebSite
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 08:24 PM	Thread Starter #8
Steelejaxon Registered Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Phoenix AZ	Thanks for the info. I am trying to steer them away from the MX. I did find an ATI Radeon 9000 for $60 shipped. Might go with that unless I can find a good refurb. I think $80 might be a bit out of the price range. I'm still trying to explain why the computer they paid $1500 for will not play thier game The good news is I get to build the next one for them.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 10:54 PM	#9
OC Noob Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ USA	the 9000 will beat up on any MX so thats probably your best bet unless you can find a 8500/Gf3 used like some people suggested. __________________ Hail to the King: Opteron 165 w/ DFI Ultra-D w/ BBA 1900XT 512 mb GSkill PC4200 1 GB x 2 74 gb WD Raptor x 2 Raid 0 MSI (ATI550) Tuner w/ Windows XP Media Center Edition & OCZ Powerstream 520 DD TDX H2O block w/ Maze4 GPA block DD D4 pump single 120mm Fan Heater core w/ shroud In Lian-Li fish tank window case RIP (Rest In Pieces): P4 3.0 ghz @ 3.75 ghz Aerocool HT-101 IC7-G Radeon 9800 Pro 430 W Antec True Power
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 11:05 PM	#10
Sn0rKy Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Francisco	whats better the mx420 or the radeon 7500 with 128ddr ram?
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 11:09 PM	#11
Captain Hilts Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Toronto, ON	You can get a 7500 with 128MB? I didn't realize that but I'd say that any 7500 DDR is better than an MX420. __________________ Box 1: Gigabyte 965P-S3, E4300 at 3GHz, Arctic Freezer 7 Pro, OCZ GameXtreme 600W, EVGA 8800GTS 640MB (635/1063 max), 2GB Corsair XMS2 5400, 500GB Western Digital SATA II, Logitech Z-5500 Box 2: Gigabyte P35-DS3L rev. 2.0, e2160 at 3GHz, Enermax 420W, PNY 9600GT, 2GB OCZ PC6400 320GB WD SATA
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-03, 11:56 PM	#12
Godsmoke Disabled Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Banned	oh yeah, do NOT get the 420. i don care if you endulge in the herbal arts or not
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-03, 01:58 AM	#13
Overclocker550 Member Join Date: Feb 2002	alot of people suggested the 8500le cause its fast and OCs nicely. Some say you can match ti500 performance with an LE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

02-20-03, 05:04 AM	#16
stopdrpnro Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durham,NC	jusy keep checkin nthe new egg refurb section 1 of these cards will pop up. i think the gf4mxs were great cards i upgraded from a gf4mx to a radeon 8500 and can barely tell the difference but as long as u stick to 1 of the cards mentioned u can't go wrong
	QUOTE Thanks

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