I Need Help Picking a Video Card.

[bicostp]

Too long / didn't read version: I need advice on picking out an AGP graphics card. It has to have TV-out, and should be around the $100 mark. I don't know if I have to upgrade my PSU. Help please?

I'm looking for a new video card for my HTPC because I'd like to play some games on it, and the Radeon 9250 SE in there just won't cut it anymore. (It drops frames like crazy in some of the more complex areas in Sam & Max - Lincoln Must Die in 800x600 with anti-aliasing disabled, and the only games that will run on it acceptably are the ones from the $10 section at Wal-Mart.)

I'm looking for a decent card in the $100 ballpark. I admit I'm kind of an ATI fan, but I'll get an nvidia card if it gives better price-to-performance than a Radeon. It doesn't have to be top of the line, just enough to last a few years. (It only has to run stuff at 800x600 and 1024x768 on the TV.)

There are only two provisos, both of which are critical:

- It has to be AGP
- It has to have S-Video out

Here's what I've looked at so far:
<a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 18">Radeon X1650 GT</a>

And here's my supporting hardware:
- PC Chips P23G motherboard
- 400w Ultra power supply

It's running a DVD+-RW drive and two hard drives.

It says it only pushes 20 amps on the 12v rail, which is probably inadequate for some cards. I have an old 60w power supply sitting around the garage; would it be possible to rig it up as an external assist, or would it be better to replace the PSU entirely? (I'd rather not due to the expense but if it has to be done it has to be done.) It might be a good opportunity to switch to a modular PSU to increase airflow in the rather small case...

Of course if there's a decent card that wouldn't need all those upgrades, that would be great. (It doesn't have to be as good, just good enough to run newer games at 1024x768 tops.)

I'm also looking around for better Socket 775 CPU cooler, since I only have a cheap Masscool aluminum unit. It works (32 degrees idle, 43 under load), but it's really loud, which is distracting for watching movies.

Any advice / recommendations? Thanks!

EDIT: I'm thinking of <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 1588">this CPU cooler</a> since it's about the same size as the one I have now but much quieter. (18db instead of 30.) <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 9">This</a> is fairly close to what's in there now.

[bicostp]

Hello?

Come on someone out there must have some insight...

[vb_master]

AGP == failure.

[bicostp]

AGP == failure.

I built the PC last year on a budget, okay?

[timmeh87]

AGP is fine, idunno what you are going on about. Most AGP cads with a PCIE equivalent preform pretty much the same.

Why, ATI just released an AGP version of the new 38-something card.

Anyways. For just some moderate gaming I dont see what would be wrong with a 1xxx series ATI card like you said. I got a 9600XT and it can still play things like oblivion on medium.

[bicostp]

How about this card?

<a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... >VisionTek Radeon HD 2400 Pro - $85</a>

Pros:

• It says it only needs a 270 watt PSU (one less thing to upgrade)
  Dual DVI
  Apparently a higher clock speed
  DX 10 / Open GL 2.0
  Relatively inexpensive for what you get (amirite?)

Cons:

• DX 10 needs Vista. Vista = bad. (Not ATI's fault.)
  Higher clock rates aren't always better
  256 MB

Most of the product descriptions for the X1xxx cards say a 450+ watt power supply is necessary. Unfortunately the PC I want to upgrade only has a 400 watt PSU, so this would have to be upgraded. That would provide the opportunity to swap out a modular PSU and improve airflow in the case (Ultra Micro Fly; not much room in those things), but it's an additional expense I'd rather not take if it's not necessary.

Is the HD 2400 a good card or should I stick with the X1xxx line? (I'd like the card to last a few years. Things don't have to run at maximum all the time, as long as it will still run stuff a few years down the road.)

[Joes2Silly]

you can get a Radeon 9800 Pro AGP on ebay for under $30 if you look hard enough.

[bicostp]

you can get a Radeon 9800 Pro AGP on ebay for under $30 if you look hard enough.

3 reasons:

1. Wasting money on 6 year old junk that's not much better than what I already have doesn't make sense.

2. I have no eBay account.

3. I just found a <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... =935">2600 pro for $70</a> after rebate.

I think this thread has boiled down to "what are your opinions on this card" and "can Nvidia beat this for price?". Hey at least any of you out there who are looking for these get some deal links...