New videocard in 'old' PC??

[michiel1225]

Hi ,

I consider bying a new videocard 'cause I like to play games like Grandprix 4, Ghost Recon ect. These games require a powerfull videocard.

My current PC:
- Celeron 2 733 Mhz
- 160 Mb.
- TNT2 M64 32 Mb. video (i want to replace this one)

My question: When i buy for example a Geforce4MX will it boost my performance a lot, or won't it due to the 'older' components like processor??

 

[mikecx]

A 733 processor is definatly not slow. I have a 500mhz running xp that plays video games perfectly. I know a kid with a 300 that runs rock solid. Yes, i realize that a 733 isn't any where close to a new pentium 4 2.5gig but it will work good for games with a good video card. The geforce 2 mx 400 is not really all that freat for games. it accomplishes about 20-30fps in my system. I reccomend saving a bit more and going for a geforce 3 ti or even a bit more and a geforce 4 ti. Once again dont go for the lower end 400 and 440.

 

[michiel1225]

Tnx for thinking along with me, but will a new videocard definately inprove my gaming performance??? Or do I need to upgrade the other components.
I too believe that 733Mhz should be quick enough...(still it's a celeron which aren't to be recommanded for gaming)

 

[mikecx]

Celeron are the lower end of the pentium line but a new video card should take most of the work off the processor. I really think going to a geforce 2 would be a waste but to a geforce 3 or 4 you will really notice that games will run smoothly.

 

[SoulAssassin]

I agree with mikecx...I have just a celeron 900 with 512MB RAM, and a geforce3 ti200 with 128MB RAM on it and everything runs smoothly on my pc. It will take you much longer though to decode mp3's, movies, etc... if you are into that, otherwise you're fine with a new vid card.

 

[paparazi]

Mikecx, did you not read what the man said? he said Geforce 4 MX, NOT GF2 MX.
With a Celeron 733 games will be greatly improved by going GF4.
I know where you're coming from, some older motherboards really don't benefit from having newer graphics cards but your isn't that ancient, I am guessing you have an Intel BX chipset on your moby, this was a very fine and high performing chipset that will allow a GF4 to rock, maybe not like putting this card on a new Via KT333 platform but much faster all the same. Martin Please let members know if there advice has helped any.

 

[mikecx]

papa,
Sorry, sometimes my fingers work faster than my mind. I still dont recomend the mx line of video cards. Im not sure on this but don't the geforce 3 ti's out perform the geforce4 mx's?

 

[paparazi]

Yes indeedy!
All the Geforce 3 line up (Plain GF3, Ti200, Ti500) outperform all of the Geforce 4 MX range.
Although I believe a GF4 MX460 is pretty close to a plain GF3.
Problem is at the moment GF3's are still selling at a high price, a Ti200 at around $150.
Now here comes the killer, at around the same price 150-175 USD you can pick up a GF4 4200Ti, the baby of the GF4 Ti range but these cards rock!
A GF4 4200Ti performs within 5% of the awesome 4600Ti but at less than half the price! SPREAD THE NEWS!!!! lol
Martin
Please let members know if there advice has helped any.

 

[DorothyDix]

For more info,check the nvidia newsgroup alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia

Hope it helps

PAUL