Video Card Issues

[asking-for-it]

Hey, I just got a Dell system a while back (picked it up for a good price), it's decent, 80gig hard drive and I upgraded the memory from the 128MB of RAM that it came with, but the only problem is it's got an integrated Intel video card that seems to have compatibility issues with many newer games. I know integrated video sucks, but I'm kinda short on money. Is there any affordable solution to my problem?


By the way, my friend is trying to push his old Voodoo3 PCI card on me, and I know it's outdated, but would it work any better than the integraded card I have now?

[Renzatic Gear]

If you're using XP, and I'm pretty sure you are, then that Voodoo card will only cause you problems in the long run. I'd say your best bet would be to save your money and get a Geforce FX 5200 or Radeon 9000, they're not awesome by any stretch but it'll be an improvment over what you're using.

It'll cost you about $55 on Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-337&catalog=48&depa=1). Or you can pick one up for around $80ish at Bestbuy or some other local store if you don't wanna order it online.

[Aku]

If you're using XP, and I'm pretty sure you are, then that Voodoo card will only cause you problems in the long run. I'd say your best bet would be to save your money and get a Geforce FX 5200 or Radeon 9000, they're not awesome by any stretch but it'll be an improvment over what you're using.

I'd take a GeForce 4 Ti 4800 over a FX 5200, if you're going the Nvidia route.

[asking-for-it]

Hey, thanks for the info... also, any thoughts about the ATI RADEON 9200SE? I also found this <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=84766&Sku=D10-2005&CatId=319">Diamond Stealth S80 Radeon 9200se</a>. What do you think? Good? Bad?

[Renzatic Gear]

I don't know too much about the SE chipsets, but from what I've heard it'd probably be best to stay away from em and go for a regular, nontagged card (IE 9200 vs. 9200 SE).

If you really considering a good midgrade card and you're a bit techsavvy then I recommend hitting up www.tomshardware.com (http://www.tomshardware.com) and looking at one of their VGA buyers guides. They'll be able to tell you the ups and downs of just about every card out now.

[asking-for-it]

Well, I decided on the Geforce FX 5200 PCI... It meets my needs and my budget. I did some research and looked at some reviews and decided that's the best I can do for now. Thanks for all the help!

[Renzatic Gear]

Before you order it...don't go with PCI, you'll just end up being in a similar boat. Get an AGP card if anything.

[asking-for-it]

I really have no choice other than PCI, or I would go with AGP. My system has an integrated card in it right now, and the way it's set up my only choice is PCI. It's only a temp setup, cause when I get some money saved up I'm gonna build system.