Best $100 video card

[sps]

I'm looking for a video card to round out my new system based on a the AMD 760 chipset (as soon as I can get a mobo). What's the best video card for $100ish or less for Win2k? I don't intend to do ANY gaming, but a video card that is capable of light gaming would be a plus. The system will be mostly for image editing (Photoshop), 2D AutoCAD, light 3D Studio, and internet surfing. I also want DVD decoding built in. So far I'm looking at the following which are more or less in my price range:

ATI XPERT 2000 32MB AGP (ATI Rage 128)
ATI RAGE FURY 32MB AGP (ATI Rage 128)
ATI Rage Fury Pro VIVO 32MB AGP (ATI Rage 128 Pro)
ATI RAGE FURY MAXX 64MB AGP (ATI Rage 128 Pro)
Diamond Viper V770 Ultra 32MB AGP (Savage 4)
Viper II 32MB (Savage 2000)
3dfx Voodoo4 4500 32MB AGP (Voodoo 4)
I've also thought about a GeForce2 MX (don't know which brand I should be looking at)

Since I don't intend to do any gaming is anything over a $60 ATI XPERT 200 or $40 (after rebate) Viper II wasted money?

Can anybody offer any comments/advice?

Thanks!

 

[bozack]

radeon 32 ddr for 130 buy.com if available

asus gforce MX
herc gf2 MX

 

[Samster]

The Geforce 2 MX would be a great buy if you are willing to spend $100.
otherwise I would suggest you get the ATI card for $60, thats a good deal too.

 

[sps]

Do you guys think that the GF2 MX is worth the price difference over the cheaper ones for what I intend to use it for? I have no problem paying $100, but I don't want to if I'm not going to see a benefit. Which is better, ASUS or Hercules? Is there only one model from each company or do they have more than one MX that I need to be aware of to differentiate?

 

[hans007]

you can get a dual head g400 16mb for that.

 

[Bad Dude]

Hi sps,
I have a brand new card only Xpert 2000 card for only $50 shipped. LMK if you would want it. As you know this card has a built in DVD hardware decoder.
Thanks.

 

[ModemMix]

asus v7100 geforce 2 mx card is a little over 100 but they overclock nicly. if you dont want to overclock get the visiontek geforce 2mx card and run the nvidia refrence drivers, you will get better preformance and better driver support then all the cards you listed. at a price under 100 dollars, check pricewatch.

As far as dvd preformance your gonna get the best from ati i still miss the dvd playback of my ati all in wonder 128 compared to this mx card but the dvd software that comes with the asus v7100 isnt all that bad but i do play games and was willing to make the compromise. I must say if dvd is your bag then go with the best of the ati cards that you can afford and id go as far as to say flip the bill for the extra 30 bucks and get the ati radion 32 sdr and have the best of both worlds and a viable solution that should last you a few years

ModemMix

 

[hans007]

guys he said he wasnt gonna play ANY movie. Thus a matrox g200 16mb would be enough. Why would you get a gf2mx for photoshop? you'd have to be stupid.

 

[soulm4tter]

If your looking for good 2D stay away from GeForce2 and go with a Rage 128 card.

 

[Bad Dude]

Hey hans007,
Here is one of his sentences:
"I also want DVD decoding built in."

 

[Possum]

Technically, the G200 has slight hardware DVD decoding capability (was a small deal at the time), but only special software from Zoran can take advantage of it. The G200 isn't too practical for hardware DVD decoding.

 

[rahvin]

Avoid the Diamond or any S3 card. S3 exited the grahpics business and will probably never release another set of drivers.

Based on your usuage and lack of games I would recommend an ATI card, price is your big determining factor so I wouldn't bother with trying to get one with a huge amount of memory or anything. (16meg will be more than you ever need for 2d stuff). Bascally what I'm saying is I would recommend you go with the cheapest ATI card you can that's based on the Rage128 or higher chip.

 

[sps]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm getting the impression that the ATI XPERT 2000 might be the best option for me under $100. How does this compare to the Radeon? If I were able to get a deal on the Radeon 32MB ($130) is it really worth paying double over a XPERT 2000 or is it a waste for 2D, DVD, and extrememly light 3D? Thanks again!

 

[TheNemesis]

Bump, Want to hear the answer

 

[Modus]

First of all, DVD hardware-assist is irrelevant because modern CPU's are more than adequate to the job of MPEG2 and even MPEG4 playback. The software decoders now offer excellent sound and image quality. And it's not like you'll be compiling Linux kernels while you watch The Matrix.

These days, there are only three considerations when evaluation a video card:

1) Price

2) 3D Performance.

3) 2D image quality at high resolutions.

Typically, those with a 17" or smaller monitor should not be concerned with 2D image quality because they will not be running the high resolutions where the cards differentiate themselves in that respect.

Given your budget and your target usage of graphic design and light 3D gaming, a GeForce 2 MX would certainly be the best choice for a 17" or smaller monitor. For larger monitors and higher resolutions, the ATi Rage Fury Pro Vivo would offer a compromise of slower 3D performance but added 2D image quality and useful video capturing capabilities.

Of course, if you want to save money, you could sacrafice even more 3D performance and get a low end ATi or Matrox card.

Modus

 

[Angrymarshmello]

<< Diamond Viper V770 Ultra 32MB AGP (Savage 4) >>



The Viper V770 Ultra is based off the TNT2 Ultra chipset, and NOT the Savage 4.

 

[Eug]

<< First of all, DVD hardware-assist is irrelevant because modern CPU's are more than adequate to the job of MPEG2 and even MPEG4 playback. >>


Not so. Even with my Celeron 900, going from an ATI Xpert 98 (Rage Pro Turbo - some hardware assist) to a Voodoo 3 (no hardware assist), the difference is pretty noticeable. Both will play glitch free if I don't touch the computer, but as soon as I multitask the difference is painfully clear. (I sometimes like playing music videos or even a movie in the background while I work.)

 

[fs5]

If you're planning on doing photoshop then ATi or Matrox would be better bets.

 

[Polaris13]

Matrox G400, best 2d quality around.

 

[hans007]

oh didnt read that dvd thing, but his system will be plenty fast, anything over a p2-300 is fine. I've played some on my dad's p2-300 laptop and its great even in software. If you really want hardware, pick up a ati xpert128, they were $70 when they came and there was a rebate on top of that, so they should be pretty cheap. Other wise a rage128vr like a xpert2000, or the xpert99 should be fine

 

[Jstaib]

nice cards

 

[EJ]

Matrox G400 would be what you're looking for. Not sure about ATI 2d quality but they might be good as well. Don't go for any nvidia cards if you're mainly doing 2d stuff.

I'm not anti-nvidia, had a tnt1 and now have a geforce which is great in games.

Hoping that Nvida improves their 2d in the next chipset.


EJ

 

[Sunner]

Eug, I dont know what player you're using, but I could watch DVD movies just fine on my Celery 450 with 192 MB of RAM.

Have a Hollywood+ now, and there is no difference, just wanted it for the Video/Sound out ports on the H+ card.

I'd go for a G400 BTW.

 

[PG]

The T&amp;L of the geforce2 mx cards makes a huge difference in CAD work and as long as your CPU is fast enough you can use software for DVD playback. The most powerful card for about $100 is the geforce2 mx.

 

[Electric Amish]

Another vote for the G400.

Best video card on the market, for the price.

amish