# Help find a new graphics card for the ClogPuter! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795 "2002-08-20T21:50:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/1 "2002-08-20T21:50:23Z")
Yeah, it’s that time again. Another component is ready for replacement. Lately, my Voodoo Banshee 3dfx 16 MB video card has been acting up: it’s not properly supported by Windows XP, and the third party drivers are iffy at best. I think it’s a little overwhelmed by all the input. The computer sometimes freezes, and upon reboot XP tells me the problem was the 3dfx card. So, I figured it’s time for a new one. Here are the requirements:[ul][_]The computer is a Pentium III 550 Mhz[_]It has 384 MB of RAM, which is the absolute max for the motherboard[_]The motherboard is an [Intel SE 440 BX-2](http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/se440bx2/) one[_]The sound card is a cool one, a [Terratec X-fire 1024](http://www.terratec.net/products/xfire/xfire_overview.htm) with digital I/O for my MiniDisc player :)[_]I use the system for regular stuff, like browsing and typing[_]Some gaming is done, but I’m not looking for a top-end solution in that regard[_]I was thinking, 64 MB of memory?[_]Budget? Beats me… about EUR 100 or so?[/ul]Can you, Knowledgable Dopers, help a Clog Boy out? ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/2 "2002-08-20T22:47:27Z")
Figure something based on the Geforce III TI. Ignore the Geforce IV MX, it’s around the same price, and a worse performer. -lv ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/3 "2002-08-21T00:52:14Z")
Video drivers for 3dfx Voodoo 3,4 & 5 video cards. Only use with Windows XP. Hottest current PC video card on the market [ATI’s Radeon 9700 Scores Big](http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,475966,00.asp) more afforable stuff > **[Newegg – Shopping Upgraded](https://www.newegg.com/)** > > Newegg offers customers an awesome experience shopping for computers, hardware, electronics, networking solutions, and more. Upgrade your shopping experience today! > [@](#): > > Chaintech Geforce 4 MX420 Video card with TV OUT Retail With the GeForce4 MX Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), NVIDIA provides a new level of cost-effective, high-performance graphics to the mainstream PC user Specifications: Fill Rate: 1 Billion Texels/Sec. Triangles Per Second 31 Million Memory Bandwidth 2.7GB/Sec. Maximum Memory 64MB SDR Memory Model#: G423-64/TV Special Free FedEx Saver Shipping > > or > > Soltek GeForce4 MX440 64MB DDR Retail > Specifications: > GPU:nVIDIA GeForce4 MX440 Graphics Controller > 64MB DDR Frame Buffer > Integrated Dual 350MHz DACs- Core Clock 270MHz- > Memory clock 400MHz- > Memory Bandwidth 6.4GB/s-Triangles per Second: 34 Million > Fill Rate: 1.1 Billion Texels/Sec Fully programmable nfiniteFX II Engine > Retail Box with Bundled software. Model#: GeForce4 MX440 Special FedEx Saver Shipping 4.00 - 83.00 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/4 "2002-08-21T08:24:44Z")
Astro, those are the drivers that make my PC crash. 🙂 I already have them. Thanks for the other suggestions, though. Anyone else have a good idea? ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/5 "2002-08-21T11:08:04Z")
If you want to go budget-style, I know in the US you can find OEM GeForce2 Ti 64MB cards for around $55-65, because I just got one so I could play Neverwinter Nights. Dollar’s about even with the Euro isn’t it? No reason to spend a big C if you don’t game all that often. Still, it’s hard to price out PC components for people in other countries… the prices are too variable by region and international shipping fees are truly random. -fh ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/6 "2002-08-21T11:45:05Z")
Yeah, I know - just suggestions on what sort of card might work well for my system is good enough. I can use the local price comparison sites for further research. I’m just looking for an “optimal” solution. I’m sure a 256 MB card will be useless for me. But I DO like the idea of hooking it up to cable so I can watch TV on it. What do you need then, a coax in? ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/7 "2002-08-21T16:25:42Z")
Coax in with a tv tuner. You might want to check out something like ATI’s Radeon All in Wonder, which is built specifically with merging TV and computers in mind. And Astro, the 4 MX is probably the worst price/performance graphics processer on the market right now. It’s not even a real Geforce 4, it’s more like a souped up 2 MX [CITE](http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphic/02q1/020206/geforce4-06.html) .The 3 TI is a better choice for a similar price. The 4MX 420 is especially hideous with it’s slow memory. -lv ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/8 "2002-08-21T17:00:09Z")
I second the All-in-Wonder (assuming you really want to watch cable on the clogbox). You should be able to find an older model which should work fine for you at a reasonable price. A quick eyeball on Pricewatch suggests that you could pick up one based on the Radeon 7500 for ca EUR 120 or less…the tv-output would also be a plus for you (mmm…home theater…) ATI is also getting a lot better about driver releases, so stability shouldn’t be much of an issue. Just my two cents. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/9 "2002-08-21T19:45:31Z")
I paid $180USD for a Chaintech GeForce 4 Ti 4200 128MB from [newegg.com](http://newegg.com). You can get a 64MB version for $138USD. You’ll probably want to stay away from anything by Gainward. They just shut their doors. Using [pricewatch.com](http://pricewatch.com), I saw a 64MB Radeon with VIVO (video in-video out) for $96USD. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2002, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/10 "2002-08-22T12:25:39Z")
It would appear that that ATI All-In-Wonder is called a [Hercules 3D Prophet All-In-Wonder 8500 DV](http://europe.hercules.com/showpage.php?p=39&b=0&f=1) in Europe. Is that the card you’re referring to? Looks spiffy. Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys! ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2002, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/11 "2002-08-22T16:43:29Z")
Can’t go wrong with a Herc. They recently merged with Guillemot, another one of my favorite video card manufacturers. That’s definitely moving out of “budget” range, though. ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/12 "2002-08-22T17:34:01Z")
You may also want to look at cards based on SiS’s Xabre. Not a first tier chip, but it is designed for the mass market. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2002, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/13 "2002-08-22T17:36:24Z")
Yeah, no kidding… about EUR 220 is what I’m getting at price searches. Hmmm. I also find a lot of TV-out cards, but it doesn’t say if they have a TV _in_, which is what I’m mostly interested in. The Hercules cards are getting great reviews everywhere, which bodes well. There do seem to be some lower-end Hercules cards with 64 MB and TV-options, I just don’t know if they have a TV-in. Help! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2002, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/14 "2002-08-22T20:25:20Z")
You could go with a cheaper video card and get a separate tuner card like a Hauppage (this is the route I took). That might be somewhat cheaper, although it’ll be a little more annoying to install. I still think you should do some digging and see if you can find an older version of the All-in-wonder. I think I’ve seen Radeon 7500 based ones for fairly cheap–that’ll do the tv-in, tv-out and still be powerful to handle the occasional spot of gaming…not as fast as the current crop of cards, but still fairly respectable. ATI is also still pumping out driver releases for xp, so that’s a plus. Unless it specifically says in big, red letters that it has tv-in, it probably doesn’t have it. ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2002, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-find-a-new-graphics-card-for-the-clogputer/124795/15 "2002-08-22T21:22:33Z")
Coldy, Hercules is a third-party manufacturer. They usually stick to very good Geforce boards, but they recently released the (also very good) board you found based on ATI’s Radeon 8500 processor. ATI also sells it’s own boards based on it’s processors, among which are ‘All-In-Wonder’ boards based on various processors that it makes. The (budget) card that slortar and I are talking about is manufactured by ATI, using the Radeon 7500 chip. So it would be something like ‘ATI Radeon 7500 All-In-Wonder’…I think there’s also a ‘DV’ version of the board, but all it is is the regular board with a firewire connecter grafted on. The regular 7500 All-in-Wonder retails for about $120 US. Avoid any non-Radeon ATI board, as the drivers were crap as was the picture quality on TV-out. (Based on personal experience with a Rage 128 card, which made me disable graphics accelleraton if I wanted to run Printshop.) -lv