Video Card Suggestions

I'm building a new system (looking at the Asus K8N-E motherboard and an Athlon 64, but that could change) and I need suggestions for a video card. I am not a gamer, and I don't do anything that's really graphics intensive. So I really just need something basic, although when I watch a video I dowload, or even a DVD, I want it to look good.

Is there any way I can use an old AGP card in an AGP8X slot? I thought the answer to this was "no," but someone told me I can, so I wanted to verify.

 

I believe you can use an AGP 4X card in that slot... you may have to make some BIOS adjusments though. You can get a Radeon 9250 AGP8X 128MB for like less than $60CAN though... would answer all your problems.

 

Upon searching Newegg, I found all kinds of brands that carry RADEON products. I thought RADEON was an ATI product.

Will two cards from different manufacturers with the same chipset, memory, and other features perform the same? Any recommendations on which brand to get (or not get!)?

 

You should be able to. My mobo provides support for AGP 8x; I'm running a 4x card. I didn't change any of the BIOS AGP settings (default AGP capability is "auto"). So yes, you can do it under at least some circumstances. Mobo and video card details are in my sig block if you want them.

 

here you go, for all your needs, AMD 939 pin mobo, and ONBOARD videocard, which will save you a buck. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813154006






PS: Theres a buncha cheaper ones too, i just randomly picked then nice looking one.

 

I'm pretty sure my video card is AGP1X. That won't work in a 4X/8X slot, right?

I don't get it. I looked at that motherboard on Newegg. It says it has a Radeon Express 200 chipset, which I'm assuming refers to the video, but where's the video port?? I went to ATI's site and looked under motherboards to read about the chipset. It says the chipset has built in graphics support, so why is there no video port on the motherboard? BTW, is this THE chipset for the motherboard, or is it only for graphics?

 

myyyyy very bad. correct linkage -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=22&Submit=Property

 

Cool. Thanks for that. Not a bad deal starting at about $65.

I always thought onboard video wasn't that great and should be avoided. No?

My question about the Radeon chipset on the first board is still valid. Anyone?

 

You need to give us more details about your current setup (click announcement at the top of the forums), just follow the steps and post back. You wouldn't need (or would be able to use) two video cards on one system. Unfortunatly those mobos are PCI-express motherboards, ie they dont carry an AGP 2/4/8x slot.

 

Right. AGP 1x (AGP version 1) uses a 3.3v card; AGP 4x and 8x (AGP version 2) are 1.5 volt cards. The two slots are keyed differently, so you can't accidentally install a v1 card in a v2 slot or vice-versa. At least, not without breaking something.

 

"I always thought onboard video wasn't that great and should be avoided. No?"

Generally speaking, yes. However, in your case, the onboard Radeon Xpress 200 will definitely be better than your AGP 1X card. What is it exactly? Voodoo3?

 

Not sure what my current video card is.

Looks like I'm gonna go with a socket 939 mobo instead of socket 754. Haven't got one picked out yet. Looks like most of them don't have AGP slots. Any suggestions now?

 

The best upgrade right now would be a 939 mobo/CPU and a PCI-Express video card. If you can afford it.

Here is what I would recommend:

Abit KN8 ($82):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127221

Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego ($235):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539

or if you want to save a little money an, Athlon 64 3200+ Venice ($177):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103602

Gigabyte Geforce 6800GS ($200):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125218

or save some money and go with an XFX Geforce 6600GT ($115):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150098

 

For quality of windows graphics ie. DVD playback and vivid colours, get the Geforce 6200 AGP. It's about £30-£50 depending on ammount of RAM and can play most games at lower resoultions, but the colours onscreen are excellent compared to ATI's budget range.

 

The Geforece 6200 cards look like they're in my price range, but they're all AGP. Any recommendations on a PCI Express card in case the mobo I choose doesn't have AGP?

In general, is there any brand you recommend or do not recommend?

Wyatt...thanks for the suggestions. Why do you recommend that particular motherboard? As for video, like I said, I don't play games or do anything graphics intensive, so I don't need (or want) to spend too much money on a video card. Any cheaper suggestions?

 

Oh, for some reason I was thinking that you played some games. In that case, yeah there are much better (more inexpensive) options.

For example...

As far as motherboards go, definitely get a name brand. Such as: Abit, ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, or DFI. Stay away from PC Chips and ECS. A good brand name motherboard will give you much more stability than the bottom of the barrel brands. You usually get better tech support as well.

 

Yeah, I think I can afford one of those. What criteria did you search by to generate that list?

 

Interface - PCI Express x16

 

Just go to http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=48 and under Interface select PCI Express.

If you're not going to be gaming, you can just stick with onboard video which is OK for low end stuff. But if you are doing gaming, onboard video is not the way to go.

The Radeon Express 200 chipset is just a type of onboard video with the motherboard. You can disable that at any time and install a real video card.