Looking for video card advice

[mazoboom]

I want a cheap video card so I can play games better than my ATI Rage 128 can handle. I'm talking 50 dollars cheap (I'm looking on newegg). Anyone have suggestions? Also, does anyone know whether 4x/8x cards will work on a 2x/4x slot? (I guessing the 4x common in the description means it will?)

Thanks for any help.

[Das98]

As long as 4x AGP is supported you shouldn't have a problem with 4x/8x cards. There's not even much of a difference if any in speed between 4x and 8x AGP despite what a lot of people commonly think. The bandwidth on both AGP 8x and PCI express is still excessive as far as efficient use is concerned. The best deal in your price range I saw on newegg was this.

Edit: Actually, I should note if your doing real time video encoding then 8x AGP and PCI express can have significant benefits, but for what I'm guessing your purposes are I doubt that matters.

[Mikey_]

what kinda games do you plan on using for a 50 dollar card?

[mazoboom]

As long as 4x AGP is supported you shouldn't have a problem with 4x/8x cards. There's not even much of a difference if any in speed between 4x and 8x AGP despite what a lot of people commonly think. The bandwidth on both AGP 8x and PCI express is still excessive as far as efficient use is concerned. The best deal in your price range I saw on newegg was this.

Edit: Actually, I should note if your doing real time video encoding then 8x AGP and PCI express can have significant benefits, but for what I'm guessing your purposes are I doubt that matters.

Cool, I was looking at FX5200, at least I know I was in the right ballpark. Thanks.

what kinda games do you plan on using for a 50 dollar card?

I mainly want to be able to play FF11 at a reasonable level, and have my PS1 emulator work a little better, I don't really have any new games anyway...

[TheStuntman]

you could probably get a better video card on ebay i'm getting my ati radeon 9600 for like 70 dollars on it including shipping.

[polobunny]

Honestly i'd spend maybe 15 dollars more and get at least the FX5700. It's up to you.

[mazoboom]

I asked about 4x/8x cards... but if the card is just listed at 8x AGP, would it still work in my slot which is listed as 2x/4x?

(sorry, I have no clue about video cards)

[pirates dc]

I dont think it will.. and if you are serious about your gaming save your cash up for a nice card. You dont want something that wont be able to handle games that you REALLY wanna play

[Vivi]

Honestly i'd spend maybe 15 dollars more and get at least the FX5700. It's up to you.

Agreed.

50 Bucks is going no where fast...Inless you want a 5200

[Valholy]

Well mine's cheap and it runs fear and almost every new pc game,its a sapphire ati radeon 9250 256 mb,

[madcrow]

The fx5500 works fine, even in an old 2x AGP port... I have that exact card. It didn't work in my p4, but it DID work in an old p3...

[mazoboom]

Why wouldn't it work in a P4?

[Borman]

Itll work in whatever motherboard the card is supported by..

and a 5200 does the job with FFXI

[sniperrfl1011]

The fx5200 is a really slow card. you'd probably be better off getting a used Gf4 TI or something.