Need graphics card advice

[Potatoboy]

Ok, I wasn't going to press the issue because I didn't want to make it look like I was just trying to sell my card, but I agree with Thordic completely. I work in the business and I am a certified Technician. Most problems that are covered under the warranty are 15 minute fixes that can be done at home. Most of the time anything that dies in your computer is going to be a part that has an expected lifespan and therefore probably isn't going to be covered under warranty. Most of the time if something is going to die it will either be DOA (Dead On Arrival) or fail within a short period after receiving the computer.

This is how most places actually make a good deal of their profits on selling extended warranty. For example take Best Buy. They know full well that if anything you buy there is likely to break, it is most likely to happen within the manufacturers warranty period (usually 90 days). The benefit for them is that if they can return it to the manufacturer and they still get to pocket the money you shelled out for their "store warranty".

If you have the confidence to do it yourself, or if you know anyone that can do it, I highly recommend finding a decent deal on a card, possibly at a local computer store, and installing it yourself. You'll save some money in the long run. Even if you don't buy it from me.

[Thordic]

Yup, I forgot to mention that part. Your computer usually either works or it doesn't. If it breaks down, it will either break down right away, or in 8 years.

Unless you have fried power control circuits on your motherboard but would rather buy new hard drives than shell out $150 for a new MB because "it wont happen again".

Hey, I never said I took my own advice And besides that, my computer works like a dream. *pets his baby*

[Failure]

For the most part, the components work great unless people start messing around with the( i.e. overclocking and whatnot.) The thing that may get the most abuse is the hardrive. Either its constantly spinning or if you have it set to power down, it starts and stops repetitively. Graphix cards last for a long time, sound cards even longer. Processors will last really long provided that they are kept cool. Dust is an excellent heat insulator and poor ventilation is not a great thing either. For me, my monitor gets the most abuse. I cringe when I turn it on everytime because of the sound it makes...sounds like its going to break or someting but thats just normal. Most of what tech support is used for is software related. I mean, common sense tells you that when there is no more sound that the soundcard is dead. When the chip is fried the computer doesn't post. when the video card is shot, the computer boots but with no picture. IRQ conflicts are also one of the bigger problems. So is Anti virus software, its a pain in the butt...not to mention it eats away at clock cycles and makes the computer slower. I forgot to mention that the one component that absolutely should NOT be skimped out on is a good power supply.

Miscue does know what he is talking about BUT, if you are willing to shell out some balloons on a new graphics card then I suggest getting the latest and greatest card out on the market. Why you ask? Simple....it wont be out dated as fast. The latest and greatest games are getting more graphically intesive and more sooner than later that geforce mx wont be able to handle it. When doom 3 or 4 or 5, whatever it is, comes out the minimum requirement is a geforce 3 card. Thats why I shelled out $450 on a Geforce 3 when it first came out, not to mention that I had $12,000 burning a whole in my pocket. (wish I hadn't blown that money away)

[FooTemps]

I guess compaq is full of idiots if the stickers change colors... theirs doesn't....

[Tbone]

Looks like the tide has turned. Time to get ATI instead of nVidia. The 9800 Pro still beats nVidia's FX I remember how gun-ho Miscue was for nVidia's cards...just wondering if anyone has changed their opinion over the past couple of months.

(and no, ATI's drivers do not suck now)

[tr0n]

Why do people even overclock in the first place? When I built my computer, I ordered a 1.3 Duron with it, knowing that it will run at 1300 MHz. If you are going to get a system just to overclock it, why get that system in the first place? Spend the extra money and get a processor made to do the speed you want...

[autokokcer]

video cards

a good deal now for you price range is:

radeon 8500 128 or AIW 8500 64

nvidia ti4200 or ti4600

both fall into your price range.

[Jack_Dubious]

geforce2mx is too slow now. For the price you mention you could easily get a Geforce4 ti4200 and still have some cash left over.
And it may be possible to overclock your card into a ti4600. Even more bang for your buck! Stick it to the man!





JDub

[slateman]

Tbone:WTF?!? Why did you bring this up??

P.S. I went and got a GeForce 4 Ti4200 (128MB version) I'm very happy with it.

[alkafluence]

Originally posted by Tbone

If you're not looking to spend that much money on a graphics card, there are a bunch of other options. Probably the best "bang for your buck" would be the GeForce 2 MX 400 (not the 200) and just make sure you buy the 64MB version instead of the 32MB version; whichever the choice, choose the card with higher memory (i.e. 64MB is better than 32MB)

Arrgggg!!!! Whatever you do, DO NOT get the GF4 MX400. It performs worse than the entire GF3 series. At the very least, if you are looking to keep costs down, pick up a GF4 Ti4200 64mb (128mb if possible). This will come in under your cost limits and give you much better performance - especially if you use http://www.pricewatch.com to find it.

But if you really want the current champion, look into the latest Radeon's by ATI. Granted they are really pricey, but they do hold the performance crown. Just check out http://www.tomshardware.com to find out for yourself.

[MantisMag]

jdub- i was also confused by the 8500 being mentioned as the best card. look at the dates on the first posts. this is from dec 2001! why in the world did this get brought back up? start a new thread. the original posts aren't relevant anymore.