onboard video vs. card

[gujuguy007]

So I'm deciding if I should get a better graphics card or use my onboard video. I have a shuttle mn31L nForce2 IGP with 512 ram. The onboard graphics are ok, but I was wondering if I should upgrade to a card with memory. Will that result in better performance or should I add more ram? I do mostly 2D rendering on Photoshop and some video editing.

Additionally, I'd prefer to get a GeForce card with 128mb. Which card is good for a budget of $40-$50. I've seen a couple of GeForce FX's for that price range. How good are some of the FX cards? I've read that GeForce 2 MX400 was supposedly better than some of the GeForce 4's? Is the same true for GeForce FX cards? I can't really tell the difference between all the options since there are so many.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Schadenfroh]

when you go integrated, the video steals memory from your system.

 

[gujuguy007]

that i do know...i guess what im really trying to decide is which card do i want that is better than what I have for $40-$50.

 

[Cawchy87]

Geforce 3 ti200/500

 

[Schadenfroh]

you can get a 4200 off of ebay for around 60ish, it would be your best bet. if you dont like ebay, you can get a geforce3 for $46, here.

 

[Cawchy87]

A just switched from a ti200 for doom 3 and far cry. My friend still plays doom 3 with his at 800x600. it doesn't look great, but that is a hell of a card for the money.

 

[Cawchy87]

Hold the phones
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=45&threadid=1375310&enterthread=y

you can't beat that

 

[Brackus2]

a geforce2 MX400 was one of the worst geforce2's, it did have 64 mb memory which is a plus.

However, this will not be too much of an upgrade from onboard these days, depending on what you are trying to do.

For what you specified I suggest on of ATI's all in wonder cards, best bundles for video editing and such for the price. Starting as low as the 7500, to the 8500, or 9000, 91/200 they are all fine for what you are needing, just look around, compare prices, and decide whats the best fit for your budget, some of these cards should be found as low as $40 with some all in wonder 9100's going for close to $100.

If you insist on Nvidia (not needed realistically but I can respect that, never owned an ati card myself) then dont just go geforce2 or 3, id say go with the geforce 4Ti4200 but you said you wanted 128mb memory so go for that as well, anything higher than this without knowing all the specs on your system sounds like overkill, maybe a geforce4mx 440 or 5600 5700, then they just keep going up, once again, if your going nvidia go 128 mb, and just get whatever you want for the cheapest you can find...

Hope this helps,

Dustin

 

[gujuguy007]

thanks..that does help.

how are the mx4000 cards?

Originally posted by: Brackus2
a geforce2 MX400 was one of the worst geforce2's, it did have 64 mb memory which is a plus.

However, this will not be too much of an upgrade from onboard these days, depending on what you are trying to do.

For what you specified I suggest on of ATI's all in wonder cards, best bundles for video editing and such for the price. Starting as low as the 7500, to the 8500, or 9000, 91/200 they are all fine for what you are needing, just look around, compare prices, and decide whats the best fit for your budget, some of these cards should be found as low as $40 with some all in wonder 9100's going for close to $100.

If you insist on Nvidia (not needed realistically but I can respect that, never owned an ati card myself) then dont just go geforce2 or 3, id say go with the geforce 4Ti4200 but you said you wanted 128mb memory so go for that as well, anything higher than this without knowing all the specs on your system sounds like overkill, maybe a geforce4mx 440 or 5600 5700, then they just keep going up, once again, if your going nvidia go 128 mb, and just get whatever you want for the cheapest you can find...

Hope this helps,

Dustin

 

[Rage187]

Do NOT buy MX cards.


Spend like $60 on a 4600 128.

 

[DrMindbender]

Cards are always good unless you really don't have ANY money or are building for grandpa. Any reading or writing you do will improve with a card(and a decent monitor). It's not just games.

 

[Marsumane]

Those cards are crap. Dont get an mx4000. Try to look for a Geforce 3 ti200, an ATI 8500, or an ATI 9000. Both of those cards can be found for around the price you want. Also, dont be picky on the memory. You dont necessarially need 128mb of vram. 64 is alright on those two cards i mentioned above.

 

[DrMindbender]

Hey isn't the 5200 at 50 bucks now. Oh, no now I've done it. I'd better run now while I still can.