Help on video card decision...

[bGIveNs33]

Its time to upgrade the video card.... I currently have an ATI 32meg card. I really don't play many games, so I'm not looking for incredible FPS and stuff like that. I mainly use the computer for webdesign, graphics, the occasional game, and I would like to start capturing and editing video. Money really isn't really a deciding factor I just don't want to pay for something I don't need. I would like to spend anywhere from 50 dollars on up to 200. Here are my current specs-

AMD XP 1800 (@ ~1.6)
3x256 Crucial 2100
EPOX 8kha+
WD 40gig 7200
19" Multisync 95 monitor

Thanx in advance,

-Billy

 

[Moishe]

If it weren't for the video stuff I'd ask why you even wanna upgrade. But since you mentioned video, I say you probably wanna get an All In Wonder (maybe an 8500). At least that way you can have all of those video features and when you do wanna play a game you'll be ok with that too.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well GF4 cards offer cheap VIVO but that's no substitute for the awesome ATI AIW cards. nVidia do Personal Cinema which is a lot closer to AIW, but really ATI AIW is the way to go. Rad7500 are very out-dated now, GF2GTS or GF4MX420 type perf and features. Rad8500 isn't too far behind GF3 3D perf. Rad9000PRO are a little slower than Rad8500 but you should find Rad9000 AIW cards are very cheap once they get sufficient quantities. So Rad9000 or Rad8500 in AIW form.

 

[alkemyst]

$50-200 is a hell of a budget in an arena where $10-20 could make noticable gains

Based on what you said a Radeon 8500 128MB card or NVIDIA 4200 I would go with around $100 bucks.

or if you want to insure future gameplay a Retail 8500 128MB or NVIDIA 4400+