Cheap DX9 card

[Glavinsolo]

Situation: Got someone Sims 2, and now it won't run because a DX9 card isn't installed. They have a Riva TNT 2 ultra card from way back when. Is there a way to make it work with this old card? What is the least expensive card out there that this will work with? Thanks

 

[BFG10K]

Probably something like a 9600XT.

 

[Insomniak]

6600GT if you can part with ~$200. It's really the best DX9 card for the dollars these days.

 

[Jeffyboy]

tho, cheap would be alike an nvidia FX5200. They are getting quite cheap now.. and poweful enough for sims2 for sure.

 

[BFG10K]

A 5200 will struggle with any kind of shaders, much less SM 2.0.

 

[Jeffyboy]

A 9600SE maybe... or a 9550... cheap cheap cheap

 

[Jeffyboy]

struggling video cards don't make embarrassing noises ;-) like..grunt...aaaaaa...oooooo...dammnnnn.wish I could show this to my master...arrrrgggggg..lol...hell...5200 is fine..lol

Jeff

 

[Pete]

Outpost.com has an ATi 9600P for ~$100. Better yet, see the Hot Deals forum on how to get a 9600XT from ATi for ~$100 by trading your old video card (that TNT2).

If you want to go cheaper, NewEgg still sells a ~$75 Jetway 9600 (w/128-bit memory). I recommend spending the extra money on a Pro or XT, though.

 

[Jeffyboy]

yeah... i agree... spend as much as you can... The 9600XT is preferable. I don't see them that cheap up here in canaduh ;-) At least not yet... except the 9600se's n stuff which I see around the $100 mark.


Jeff

 

[BenSkywalker]

You don't need a DX9 video card for The Sims 2 to run- everything from the GeForce2/Radeon7000 and up is supported. You can pick up a GeForce4MX(equal to a GF2) for around $35 new off of NewEgg. I am assuming that your friend is a typical Sims player and doesn't care about other games? If they do any other gaming at all then you are better off to go with another higher end board. If not, then according to the developer a GF4MX will work.

 

[Sc4freak]

The requirement dor Sims2 is "A Transform and Lighting capable video card". Somehow I don't think only DirectX9.0 cards and up have T&L.

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: Sc4freak
The requirement dor Sims2 is "A Transform and Lighting capable video card". Somehow I don't think only DirectX9.0 cards and up have T&L.

This specifically means dx7 based cards. As said above, a geforce2mx or a radeon 7000 on up will do fine in RUNNING the game. If you want higher iq, get something a bit beefier like the 9600 card(s) mentioned above.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: Marsumane

Originally posted by: Sc4freak
The requirement dor Sims2 is "A Transform and Lighting capable video card". Somehow I don't think only DirectX9.0 cards and up have T&L.

This specifically means dx7 based cards. As said above, a geforce2mx or a radeon 7000 on up will do fine in RUNNING the game. If you want higher iq, get something a bit beefier like the 9600 card(s) mentioned above.

Yeah it kept coming up with an error saying please install a DX9 Video card. I wonder what the tnt2 card is. So your saying that a DX7 will work because it will use DX9 software rendering.... correct?

 

[BenSkywalker]

Yeah it kept coming up with an error saying please install a DX9 Video card. I wonder what the tnt2 card is. So your saying that a DX7 will work because it will use DX9 software rendering.... correct?

TNT2 is a DX6 vid card. It won't use software rendering with a DX7 card, it would simply mean that IF the game had DX9 specific features they wouldn't work at all. The Sims 2 doesn't have any DX9 level features however.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Jeffyboy
A 9600SE maybe... or a 9550... cheap cheap cheap

please tell me you did not recommend a 9600SE. you just commited a mortal sin.

 

[Smoker00]

I don't play games but found this card well recommended for games and otherwise:
Chaintech XGI VOLARI V3 Video Card, 128MB DDR, TV-Out+DVI, 8X AGP Model "SLV3-128" DX9 -RETAIL $44 shipped from Newegg. A little cheaper for the 64MB version. Faster than a geforce mx4000.

 

[dguy6789]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: Jeffyboy
A 9600SE maybe... or a 9550... cheap cheap cheap

please tell me you did not recommend a 9600SE. you just commited a mortal sin.

Sims 2 is the game were talking here. An Intel extreme graphics runs the game well, and it is like 1/10th the speed of a 9600se.

The guy just needs a card with hardware tnl, no need for some super fast radeon or geforce, just a nice low end one.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: dguy6789

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: Jeffyboy
A 9600SE maybe... or a 9550... cheap cheap cheap

please tell me you did not recommend a 9600SE. you just commited a mortal sin.

Sims 2 is the game were talking here. An Intel extreme graphics runs the game well, and it is like 1/10th the speed of a 9600se.

The guy just needs a card with hardware tnl, no need for some super fast radeon or geforce, just a nice low end one.

for the price of the 9600SE, you can surely buy something better. that is why it should never be recommended

 

[Jeffyboy]

hehehe...well, up here in canada it seems to be a relatively cheap and accessable card... at least it was 10 months ago. Looking for a good deal on 6600GT now. Maybe wait for the X800XL.
Jeff

 

[MidasKnight]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
Probably something like a 9600XT.

 

[dguy6789]

You may be able to find a 9600se at a garage sale.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
You may be able to find a 9600se at a garage sale.

or a garbage can

 

[aznm1ke31]

i have fx5200 in my old comp, and it runs sims 2 alright at 1024X758 with medium settings

 

[LTC8K6]

You only need a DX9 compatible card, not a full DX9 compliant card. Even a GF3 is DX9 compatible.

Incidentally if you ever really need a DX9 compliant card, don't bother buying the cheap ones because they cannot really take advantage of their DX9 features, they are too slow to do so. Don't bother buying the cheap cards with 256MB of ram, either. They cannot take advantage of it.

 

[episodic]

My wife runs SIMS 2 off of a Geforce 3 TI 200 reasonably well. ..