Best PCI video card available?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Noozer
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Noozer

Just considering adding some more monitors/video cards to a system and was
wondering if there are any OK video cards out there that use PCI?
 
The only pci card I can find that claim to support dx9.
No problem in playing FarCry 800x600(did not try other mode, since it
run fine for me).
Also I got it with $20.00 rebate(which is gone now).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103167



=>Just considering adding some more monitors/video cards to a system
and was
=>wondering if there are any OK video cards out there that use PCI?
=>
 
Just considering adding some more monitors/video cards to a system and was
wondering if there are any OK video cards out there that use PCI?
Click to expand...

"Best" at what? If you have no need for 3D gaming with it,
there's probably some other parameter that matters most? If
it need not have DVI, there are quite a few more
possibilities. If it need not support high res. and color
depth, even more possibilities. Other factors such as heat
generation, power consumption or cost might be a factor too
but you've made no mention of these variables.

Generally a modern alternative would be a low-mid range card
from nVidia or ATI. ATI has Radeon 9xxx series in PCI and
nVidia FX5700(LE?). WIthout need for 3D gaming either of
them would be overkill, and yet a more modern card will also
be more likely to have DVI.

If you just wanted something cheap, very low heat and power,
an ATI RageXL might suffice, though the output can be a
little blurrier than more modern cards at higher resolutions
and they only have 8MB (maybe 16MB on some, can't remember)
memory so highest res. and color is also a limitation.
 
kony said:
"Best" at what? If you have no need for 3D gaming with it,
there's probably some other parameter that matters most? If
it need not have DVI, there are quite a few more
possibilities. If it need not support high res. and color
depth, even more possibilities. Other factors such as heat
generation, power consumption or cost might be a factor too
but you've made no mention of these variables.
Click to expand...

'K... Wife has a Matrox G550 that she uses for dual head. Unfortunately,
this really sux for playing Quake 3. Was considering upgrading here.

Also, was toying with the idea of plugging one into a Windows MCE machine,
but just realized that I don't think I can use extra monitors for the MCE
interface... Actually, there would be little use for a "gaming" class card
as a second video adapter since most drivers will only work on the main
display... or is that history now?
 
'K... Wife has a Matrox G550 that she uses for dual head. Unfortunately,
this really sux for playing Quake 3. Was considering upgrading here.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean here as you mention multiple systems.
Is this the one that needs a PCI card or not? There are no
high-end cards for PCI anymore but I'd go with a FX5700 (128
bit memory bus version, not 64 bit, not "LE", if possible)
if forced to use a PCI card. Then again I haven't looked
for a PCI gaming card recently, there might be something
better out there today.

Also, was toying with the idea of plugging one into a Windows MCE machine,
but just realized that I don't think I can use extra monitors for the MCE
interface...
Click to expand...

Never tried it, though the interface seems to just be an
application so perhaps you can use extra monitors- just not
have control over which displays the video overlay... unsure
how they integrated that.
Actually, there would be little use for a "gaming" class card
as a second video adapter since most drivers will only work on the main
display... or is that history now?
Click to expand...

You can choose which card you designate as the primary, the
PCI need not be secondary.
 
=>
=>=>>
=>> The only pci card I can find that claim to support dx9.
=>> No problem in playing FarCry 800x600(did not try other mode, since
it
=>> run fine for me).
=>> Also I got it with $20.00 rebate(which is gone now).
=>>
=>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103167
=>
=>Thanks... but definately don't buy Diamond. I've had a number of
products
=>that they didn't support very well.
=>

If you play with newegg's video menu options, you should be able to
find something you want.
You can also try pricewatch and pricegrabber.

I have a HP A1110n(on sale $399 from Fry's) w/ 3 PCI slots only and
Intel built in video.
I got 1GB pc3200 installed $70.00 from Fry's.
ATI diamond PCI 9250 256MB dx9 from newegg for ~$40.00
ATI HDTV from Buy.com for ~$110.00

Now I watch HDTV and play Far Cry at ease.

BTW. I can have 3 displays at the same time.(1 from Intel onbard, and
2 from ATI 9250).

A1110n has 250W psu only, but I have no problem with above setup.

Fry's has Compaq sr1620nx on sale for $399.99 this weekend.
If it is sold out try other Fry's stores.

IMHO, sr1620nx has better setup(better onboard video) than A1110n.
 
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