Which card

[JJO]

My daughter-in-law is not a big gamer, except when it comes to Neverwinter
Nights. Now the system she has now has an S3 integrated video card which
runs the game properly but she needs something with a bit more power. She is
getting a game for Christmas (not a real intensive video game by any
stretch, that requires a card than supports Hardware T&L. I am looking to
keep the cost down so which of the following can someone..or all, recommend.

The ATI 9200SE or 9550 or NVidia 5200 all with 128 MB RAM and all which
support T&L. Thanks for any input and information. Yes I realize these are
lower end cards but she is not playing Doom 3 or HL2. Thanks again.

Regards,
John O.

 

[dino]

I would stay away from the 9550 and the 9200SE..they are supposedly only a
64 bit video card..the FX5200 depending what version and make should be a
128 bit card so you should have nicer graphics(maybe)

 

[Gordon Scott]

My daughter-in-law is not a big gamer, except when it comes to Neverwinter
Nights. Now the system she has now has an S3 integrated video card which
runs the game properly but she needs something with a bit more power. She is
getting a game for Christmas (not a real intensive video game by any
stretch, that requires a card than supports Hardware T&L. I am looking to
keep the cost down so which of the following can someone..or all, recommend.

The ATI 9200SE or 9550 or NVidia 5200 all with 128 MB RAM and all which
support T&L. Thanks for any input and information. Yes I realize these are
lower end cards but she is not playing Doom 3 or HL2. Thanks again.

Regards,
John O.

stay away from anything SE, which equates to "suckers edition", these
cards are under-performers.
You seem to live in canada, where were you thinking of buying, and whats
your budget?

Gordon

 

[Mac Cool]

I'm not familiar with Canadian prices but in America you can buy a GeForce
FX5700LE for about the same price as an FX5200 and the 5700LE should give
slightly better performance. If you're willing to spend a little more,
Radeon 9600Pro are excellent deals right now.

 

[JJO]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I live in Canada and was trying to keep it under
$100. I can pick up the 5200 for under that price and the 9250 is even less.
The only games she is interested in are NeverWinter Nights and the newly
released Pirates. The latter requires a 64 MB card with Hardware T&L. Since
the video demands are not severe and any AGP card should outshine her
integrated S3, I was not sure of a choice. In the world of cheap but better
I assumed the 9250 would still be a big step up.

As for buying, the local dealers offer better prices than Future Shop or
Best Buy, but the big box stores have the good return policy.

Regards,
John O.

 

[Gordon Scott]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I live in Canada and was trying to keep it under
$100. I can pick up the 5200 for under that price and the 9250 is even less.
The only games she is interested in are NeverWinter Nights and the newly
released Pirates. The latter requires a 64 MB card with Hardware T&L. Since
the video demands are not severe and any AGP card should outshine her
integrated S3, I was not sure of a choice. In the world of cheap but better
I assumed the 9250 would still be a big step up.

As for buying, the local dealers offer better prices than Future Shop or
Best Buy, but the big box stores have the good return policy.

Regards,
John O.

Hi

Your only going to get screwed with Fshop/bestbuy etc.
I suggest tigerdirect.ca or any local shop, check a local computer paper
for current pricing. As far as return policy, deal with each store
individually, all you want to be sure of is that if its doa you can get a
quick replacement, buy it with your CC to protect yourself if your
worried, almost any shop/manufacturer will offer you a 1 yr warranty.

Gordon

Gordon

 

[Tod]

There are two different models of the 5200, one with the 64 bit wide memory
interface
and the 5200 Ultra with 128 bit wide memory interface.
So if you can find a Nvidia 5200 Ultra with 128 bit wide memory interface
and 128MBs of memory.

This review say the 5200 Ultra is a better performer then the ATI 9000/9200
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030311/geforcefx-5600-5200-26.html

Or spend about $100 and get an ATI 9600

 

[Tod]

The ATI 9100 is a little faster then the 9000/9200 line
and you can get a used 9100 for about $20-$25
Or the Nvidia 5200 Ultra for around $55

off www.ebay.com

 

[Tim]

The ATI 9100 is a little faster then the 9000/9200 line
and you can get a used 9100 for about $20-$25

More like $25-$45, check the completed auctions. Still a good deal though.

 

[Ross]

[...]
The ATI 9200SE or 9550 or NVidia 5200 all with 128 MB RAM and all which
support T&L. Thanks for any input and information. Yes I realize these are
lower end cards but she is not playing Doom 3 or HL2. Thanks again.

I buy from http:\\ncix.com regularily - their prices, selection and service are unmatched by
anyone else in Canada, IMO. They carry plenty of stock, process orders efficiently, keep you
informed of order status and have a well laid out return policy. I'd say check'em out.

Ross,
Lake of the Woods

 

[JJO]

NCIX is most certainly a good source of hardware. After looking around
though the best price, remember I want to return it if there are problems,
is a local VAR. At $85 for an FX 5200, that won't break the bank. And trust
me I have looked and compared prices from everywhere and even NCIX with
shipping is almost the same price for the 5200. Thanks for all of the help
and advice, it is much appreciated.

Regards,
John O.

[...]
The ATI 9200SE or 9550 or NVidia 5200 all with 128 MB RAM and all which
support T&L. Thanks for any input and information. Yes I realize these are
lower end cards but she is not playing Doom 3 or HL2. Thanks again.

I buy from http:\\ncix.com regularily - their prices, selection and
service are unmatched by
anyone else in Canada, IMO. They carry plenty of stock, process orders
efficiently, keep you
informed of order status and have a well laid out return policy. I'd say
check'em out.

Ross,
Lake of the Woods