Looking for new vid card... GeForce Maybe...?

[Marco33]

I'm looking to spend about $100 US. I have a GeForce3 card W Nvidia drivers now, I've felt it has always run good so... I think I'll stay with an Nvidia based card. I don't think I will be capturing too often so... a card without is fine.

There are a lot of nock-off's. Companys using the Nvidia product on their card.

Can't figure which to pick. MSI maybe.

Any thoughts?

[Solarjetman]

I suggest getting a GeForce FX 5200. Its their budget video card, but it supports the new features of DirectX9 where the Geforce 4 and earlier do not.

You can get one for $100 or less. I have the PNY Verto and am happy with it. I paid $95 I think. It may be cheeper now.

[Marco33]

Yeah the 5200, that's the one I was leaning towards. I should have said that. They have the one you bought at BestBuy near me.

I was trying to surf the web to find a cheaper price, like on PriceWatch, I see lots of card that seem the same but they are made by different company's. Like MSI makes the same card. They just use the Nvidia Technology and slap their name on it.

I guess they are all the same.

[freestyler]

What are you looking to do with your video card exactly?

Gaming, capturing, multiple displays?

[Marco33]

Like I said up top, I don't think I'll be doing any capturing, I've had my fill of that... so it's just for some straight foward gaming.

Sports Titles,Strategy & 3D shooters.

[Solarjetman]

I would not worry about the brand of the card. When it comes to budget cards, they are all almost the same. They all use the save drivers (if you use NVidia's), and all have the same core processor.

You seem to be leaning toward the MSI card pretty heavily. I think in your heart you know you're getting that one

[Marco33]

I would not worry about the brand of the card. When it comes to budget cards, they are all almost the same. They all use the save drivers (if you use NVidia's), and all have the same core processor.

That's what I wanted to know, Thanks guys.

[Piccoro]

If you are mainly going to game, do not get a 5200.
Sure it has DX9 but it is slow in everything.
In a lot of DX9 games you have to use DX8 just so you get playable frame rate. My friend got a 5200 just because he was shopping bestbuy and needed a new card. He just bought that one cause it was in his budget but he is really disapointed in the hardware.

If you plan on using DX9 a lot right now or in the future I would strongly suggest an ATI Radeon 9600Pro for 150$ (online). (Radeon 9000/9200 only support DX8.1)
If you plan to use DX9 but not a lot then go for a Nvidia Geforce FX 5600Ultra/5700 for 150-200$ (online).
If you don't mind having DX9 (play DX9 games in DX8 instead) and all the fancy visuals (DX8 still looks really good) then you might not mind going for a GeForce 4 4200 128MB.

Don't get a 64 or 256mb card. Waste of money.
64mb is too low and 256 will not give you any performance advantage on these cards.

If you want it all (supports DX9, low price, good performance in all directx versions) you will have to pull out at least 150$.

5200 is to the FX series as the MX was to the Geforce 4 series.
The difference was the MX only had dx7 support while the rest of the GF4's (TI) has dx8 yet its performance was good.
5200 is the oposite. Supports the same DirectX as the rest of the FX's yet it really lags behind.

[Solarjetman]

If you are mainly going to game, do not get a 5200.
Sure it has DX9 but it is slow in everything.

I have yet to find a game that runs unacceptably on my 5200, but I am only a casual gamer. Yes, it is slower in benchmarks, but my philosophy is why buy more than you need? I could care less if I get 80fps or 130fps, anything over 70fps looks the same to me.

I would rather save the $50 and spend it elsewhere. Like buying a remote control boat, gasoline for a month, or taking a girl out on a nice date.

That's just my opinion though.

[Marco33]

I got the Idea for the 5200 out of the PC Gamer Mag. It's the best card at that price range.

ya think.

[Piccoro]

Its the best DX9 at 100$ because it is the only card that has dx9 for 100$...
I would perfer a gf4 4200 over a 5200 hands down.
e.g. You want to play HL2? 5200 in dx9 mode does <20 fps at 1024x768 but does decent in dx8.
A 4200 only does dx8 but will get you well above the 5200 can in dx8 or dx9. And it is at the same price point.
In just about every single game out there the 4200 wins hands down against the 5200...
Im saying if you only are going to spend 100$ dont bother with a poor dx9 card.
Highly suggest sticking with a DX8 card (Geforce 4 TI) at the 100$ price point. If you need that dx9 support and want any sort of playable experience out of it you will have to go to 150$ (9600pro) or up.