Default said:
I've currently got a Nvidia GeForce2 Ti, but need two video outs, so am
looking at something that will give me the same level of performance or
better. I play the odd game of Medal of Honour/Call of Duty.
I can pick up a Radeon 9250 (128mb of 400MHz video ram) for a good price
($40 AUD), and want to be sure it's not a downgrade.
The other option would be to spend a little more and get a Nvidia
FX5500, for a little more.
Ta.
Check these out:
http://www20.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20021218/
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/
From them and others I'd say the 9250 would be a step up as a cheap
card.... even though it is crippled in comparison to the other 9xxx
series Radeons.
I'd see if you can get a cheap Ti4200 or Radeon 9000 Pro before going
the 9250. Both should second-hand should be around the same price as a
new 9250.
I was using my 9000Pro for 12 months until I grabbed a Ti4200 for $70..
but haven't had the chance to play any games.
Two video outs...??
Beware though of a Ti4200 if you want to use the second screen for
watching on your TV - these came with a 9-pin Svga cable and needs a
TVin/out box that came with them. Make sure you get this if you do get a
second-hand card. Multimedia adaptor I think they called it... cos you
could capture video input through it.
And speaking of TV uses... if it IS for TV then bear in mind that from
my findings the Radeon card was slightly better than the Ti4200... (But
both paled in comparison to the Matrox G400 they replaced)
Lastly... for dual screen applications the nVidia card has better
drivers - Radeon drivers don't allow the taskbar to stretch natively
across both screens whereas the nVidia cards do. AND the nVidia has a
simpler function for saving/recalling video options - I have mine set
for Dual Screen, Single + TV, Single @ 640x480 (for the kids old games)
and simply select the settings I want and it switches everything
automatically. The Radeon was never quite as good in that respect.
Cheers,
Gavern