Old PCI video cards

[saphalline]

I'm trying to resurrect a couple of old Pentium machines and would prefer not to use the onboard video. :p However, used/old PCI video cards seem to be in short supply these days! :D Anyone know where I can pick up a few?

I'm generally looking for cards in the 4MB to 16MB range, like TNT's, TNT2's, Voodoo3's, and possibly older if I have to. I'd rather not spend more than $15-20 total per video card.

Anyone have some ideas or am I being too picky? ;)

[Budfred]

Have you checked eBay???? (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=PCI&categoryid=&ht=1&st=2&category3=40156&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=&from=R2&catref=C3)

[gwallen4]

Try Ebay. Do a search for TNT. TNT-2 cards sell for about $10 with $10 for shipping. If you need more than one, you might get a better deal on shipping.

[saphalline]

I've never bought or sold on eBay before but I might try it. Any pointers to give to an eBay newbie?

[gwallen4]

Just register on eBay. Then figure out what you want. Place a bid or sometimes you can buy an item outright (Buy It Now). The reliability of sellers (and buyers)is posted on every item's page in the form of good vs bad feedback, so you know pretty much what you are getting into.

Once you have won the bidding or bought the item, you can pay for it by credit card or send a check if you don't mind waiting for the check to clear. The shipping charges are included in the description of each item, and any special information about the condition of the item.

I've never had any problems buying from eBay, and my wife has sold hundreds of items.

[Budfred]

I'll throw a few more thoughts in (partly because I have had problems on eBay):

Read the payment and shipping arrangements carefully before you bid. I have seen many deals that looked great and it turned out that the shipping was outrageous. Also, not everyone accepts credit cards and/or checks. If in doubt, ask for clarification before bidding. Once you place a bid, it is considered inappropriate to withdraw the bid and can lead to bad feedback in some cases. Do not bid unless you are prepared to buy.

Read the feedback carefully, especially if the seller has some negatives. If the seller is someone with hundreds of sales and the negatives were 2 years ago I worry a lot less than someone who has 2 negative feedbacks in the last month, no matter how long they have been selling.

Keep in mind that the bidding process is like gambling and can create excitement. It is very common for people to pay more in an auction for used goods than it would cost to buy new. Stay calm and be aware of what prices are retail.

It is common for people to lurk and place a bid at the last minute, sometimes even with sniping programs. If you really want something that you can't find elsewhere, it is a good idea to be lurking yourself and be prepared to bid quickly.... keeping in mind the point just above this....

Most of all, as it says in my sig: Caveat Emptor......

[saphalline]

Some of the deals on PCI video cards looked good enough to buy outright, and since the cost isn't that much (even with shipping) I don't think I could get burned too badly in this case. I'll lurk around eBay for a week or two to get to know it before I start bidding, but it looks like a great place to buy old parts.

[drewbob]

Saph if you are still looking you may want to check out this: Pine SIS 305 32mb PCI (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dvdxshop/p450-7102.html). $19.99 with free shipping. Can't say that I know anything about that vendor, but it looks like a deal.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Have you looked in Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com/)?

I just found a few for 25 bucks there but I might be able to do better than that at a couple used places around me. One about 10 minutes away the other more like 45 minutes but the second place has better selection and is much less expensive too.

[Jumby]

You can check out http://www.computer-show.com/index.asp?cartId=1-ACCWARE-1062448DONHV75&url=IND although right now they don't seem to have many. They usually do though. If you're not in a hurry for something, keep checking back.

[drewbob]

Just saw this tonight on Newegg and it probably won't last too long. Refurb Geforce2 MX400 64mb pci for $29 here. (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=48&manufactory=1487&Type=Refurbish&sortby=14&order=1)