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View Full Version : Buying new video card..help!

ZBTHorton
06-24-2005, 04:08 AM
hey guys.

I'm buying a new video card. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I don't play games. I just need something to support dual monitors.

I've been looking at newegg as usual. Found some good looking 256MB AGP cards, but I also have a 50$ gift certificate to Best Buy.

Here's a couple of the NewEgg Cards. Are these better than what I can get at Best Buy assuming I use my gift card for the same price?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145076

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102295

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150059
NateDog
06-24-2005, 04:16 AM
I looked at Best Buy, and they really only carried high-end gaming cards (B&M locations). I got an ATI Radeon 9200SE from newegg for under $60. Works great, and the built in memory has helped my comp deal with a lot more processing without the lag.
ZBTHorton
06-24-2005, 04:21 AM
Is it worth it to pay the extra 20 bucks to go to a 256MB card?
NateDog
06-24-2005, 04:28 AM
Couldn't tell ya, I got the 128 and haven't had a problem. The morning crew might give you some insight.
FouTight
06-24-2005, 08:55 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Is it worth it to pay the extra 20 bucks to go to a 256MB card?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would say $20 for a 128MB upgrade is worth it, but thats just my opinion, don't know how much you would actually see the difference without playing 3d games, but I would say it's a worthy upgrade for just $20
MrTrik
06-24-2005, 09:21 AM
I'd spend the extra $20.
krimson
06-24-2005, 09:56 AM
The new version of windows (longhorn) is apparently going to have some graphically intense features, so even if your not into gaming the 256mb card is probably worth it for the extra $20.
Andrew G. N.
06-26-2005, 04:27 PM
256MB won't make any difference unless you're playing games, or watching a DVD on a second screen. If you use a second screen, and might go with 2 LCD's at some point, I'd look for a dual DVI card. They should come with a DVI-to-VGA adapter anyway. Also, I haven't used an ATI card in a long time (because their drivers were slow to get updates), so I'd recommend an NVIDIA (GeForce) card - the drivers are updated often, and it is easy to find the right file to download because the FX5200, 5500, 5700, etc. all use the same download package. And for dual-screens, NVIDIA is easier to deal with (based on what I remember from how ATI used to be).