NEW VIDEO CARD, NEED HELP

[shmupi]

Hi,
im wondering what kind of card to buy.
my computer is a bit old, but strong.
i got :
p3-550 (dual cpu)
1GB ram

i do know that i want a card with DVI connector (to use with my monitor),
but since my computer is a bit old, there is no use of getting top of the line card since my computer will not be able to get the most out of it. - am i right ?
any way, any recomendations ?

thanx

[saphalline]

Hmmm... well for that kind of set-up, and for a budget card, I would suggest a GeForce4 440MX. It has standard GF2-class performance (with DDR memory and everything) and most if not all models have built-in DVI connectors. You may also want to look at a few Matrox graphics cards if gaming is not your primary concern. Either one of these options has excellent support for multiple monitors (usually one CRT and one LCD). Expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 to $150.

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"No, we do not gnaw on our kitty." - Dr. Evil

[shmupi]

ok,
now, im working on Matrox G400 16mb.
the reason i want to upgrade is for games - so that eliminates your offer of the matrox.

actually i even found gf3 ti200 in that budget- isnt it better then the gf4 mx440 ?

and another q:
i have a CRT monitor that has a DVI connector.
cant i work with this connector as a primary (AND SINGLE) connection ?
i dont need multiple monitors - just one using DVI.

thanx

[saphalline]

Woah! Those GF3 cards really are coming down in price! Yeah, any GF3 is better than a GF4 MX, and the GF4 Ti cards are better than both. Of course, this is only for gaming.

The one thing that the GF4 MX has over most GF3 cards is the DVI connector. You'll have to get a special GF3 with a 3rd party DVI chip onboard, which can usually raise the price. GF4 MX cards almost always have DVI connectors built-in (because they have DVI chips straight from NVidia built into the GPU).

Yeah, a single monitor set-up is usually easier, but a CRT with a DVI connection? Sounds specialized.

Of course, if you really want the best gaming performance you can afford, then find a GF3 Ti200 card with a DVI connector. Otherwise, you could get a GF4 MX; or get the GF3 and another CRT monitor! Haha, probably a bit more than you want to spend, but having a standard CRT on the GF3, and keeping the Matrox PCI(?) card on the CRT with DVI, then you could have multi-mon set-up and great gaming performance! I assume a multi-mon set-up would be easy on your comp, only because you would have to have Win 2000 or XP to be running dual CPUs and 1GB of RAM.

Ah, whatever, it's your money, but computers aren't always that easy, are they?

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"No, we do not gnaw on our kitty." - Dr. Evil

[shmupi]

he he,
ok now you realy messed me up.
i want to use only ONE monitor its a 21" brand - i love it.
just wanted to use it through a DVI connector, cause it seem to be a better connection.
hmm, i think ill have to go with a gf3 ti200 with DVI ........