change from Voodoo3 to ATI 7200

[Martin Lewis]

On a PIII 550 256mb ram and Abit p2b motherboard, I've been using a
Voodoo3 3000 with no problems (other than slow frame rates on newer
versions of MS flight simulator and the somewhat slow display on Links
2001). Although it's old, I can change to a ATI 7200 64mb video card
taken out of a computer at work. Haven't been playing games lately and
have no real complaints but kind of wondering about changing...

 

[NightSky 421]

On a PIII 550 256mb ram and Abit p2b motherboard, I've been using a
Voodoo3 3000 with no problems (other than slow frame rates on newer
versions of MS flight simulator and the somewhat slow display on Links
2001). Although it's old, I can change to a ATI 7200 64mb video card
taken out of a computer at work. Haven't been playing games lately and
have no real complaints but kind of wondering about changing...

I have no knowledge of that motherboard, so my advice is that before
changing to the 7200, be sure it can supply the correct voltage to the video
card. Chances are that if the motherboard supports AGP 4x, the 7200
*should* work fine. Even if that motherboard only supports AGP 2x, it may
be worth checking into about the voltages and if the card will work in the
AGP slot you have.

The 7200 isn't a great video card by any stretch of the imagination, but at
this point in time, I would definitely take it over the Voodoo3 3000,
especially because of driver support. Since your processor is fairly slow,
I don't think you'd see any dramatic performance difference by going with a
higher video card than the 7200. If it's free and if it works with your
motherboard, go for it!

 

[First of One]

A new card will work in an old motherboard just fine. It's the reverse (old
vid card in new mobo) that caused some fanfare.

That said, isn't the 7200 slower than even a Geforce2?

 

[Mac Cool]

First of One:

That said, isn't the 7200 slower than even a Geforce2?

Yep:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=1334&p=7

but it would still be faster than a Voodoo3.

 

[Martin Lewis]

Sorry I meant the motherboard was an ABIT BE6 rev2

I have no knowledge of that motherboard, so my advice is that before
changing to the 7200, be sure it can supply the correct voltage to the video
card. Chances are that if the motherboard supports AGP 4x, the 7200
*should* work fine. Even if that motherboard only supports AGP 2x, it may
be worth checking into about the voltages and if the card will work in the
AGP slot you have.

The 7200 isn't a great video card by any stretch of the imagination, but at
this point in time, I would definitely take it over the Voodoo3 3000,
especially because of driver support. Since your processor is fairly slow,
I don't think you'd see any dramatic performance difference by going with a
higher video card than the 7200. If it's free and if it works with your
motherboard, go for it!

--
Martin Lewis
Media Development Specialist
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY
www.sunyocc.edu/~lewism
(e-mail address removed)
(e-mail address removed)

 

[NightSky 421]

A new card will work in an old motherboard just fine. It's the reverse (old
vid card in new mobo) that caused some fanfare.

My info says that both situations are true. If I recall correctly, I once
had a motherboard that only had AGP 2x support and that it could only accept
3.3v video cards. That said, you are right about old video cards in newer
motherboards causing trouble.

That said, isn't the 7200 slower than even a Geforce2?

It's a slow bugger, but I'd take it over the Voodoo3. Drivers are the
biggest reason why, but it's also going to be a faster card.

 

[Lachoneus]

That said, isn't the 7200 slower than even a Geforce2?

Yep:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=1334&p=7

I dunno... flip a couple of pages forward. The Radeon outpaces the GF2
MX in 1024x768x32 and up.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=1334&p=10

Also, bear in mind that ATI's drivers have improved considerably since
this review was made; I'll bet the Catalysts tip things more to ATI's
side in this archaic lineup.

Forget X800XT vs 6800 Ultra...

Next week's showdown: ATI Rage Fury Maxx vs. Voodoo2 SLI!

 

[Tim]

Next week's showdown: ATI Rage Fury Maxx vs. Voodoo2 SLI!

Any upcoming showdowns featuring the S3 Virge?

 

[Martin Lewis]

According to the information I can find,
The motherboard:
"Supports AGP 1x/2x (Sideband) 3.3v device", "1/1 and 2/3 AGP clock dividers"
and the videocard:
"BUS- AGP 2X (3.3V), AGP 4X (1.5V), or AGP2X/4X based systems "

 

[gerry]

My info says that both situations are true. If I recall correctly, I once
had a motherboard that only had AGP 2x support and that it could only accept
3.3v video cards. That said, you are right about old video cards in newer
motherboards causing trouble.




It's a slow bugger, but I'd take it over the Voodoo3. Drivers are the
biggest reason why, but it's also going to be a faster card.

I've still got a voodoo3 3500 in my old P3 box. It's my TV these
days, and it still kicks ass in Unreal Tourney. 2D is great, but it's
not good for new non-glide games.