Cheap replacement for GeForce 4MX

[FixerMX]

Due to a succession of bizarre computer-related incidents, I need to look into replacing the GeForce 4MX video card on my wife's computer, which has a Duron 2200 processor on an older SiS-chipset motherboard. This board cannot handle a Radeon 9700 Pro (my old card), and the budget won't permit us doing any massive upgrades to her machine.

FORTUNATELY she's not a hardcore gamer. She plays the heck out of City of Heroes at 1024x768 on her LCD monitor, and that's it. That game's playable on the GeForce 4MX, but choppy. I'd like the cheapest possible upgrade that would support a smooth frame rate in that game at that resolution. A quick look at some GeForce FX 5200 benchmarks suggests that it might not be significantly better than the GeForce 4MX. Is this true?

Again, this is a beater computer with a small monitor dedicated to one game, so I want to keep costs low low low.

Thanks.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Another used gF4MX would probably be great - it just depends on how "budgeted" you are. And you're right, the FX is terrible. Check the FS/T forum.

Any reason why it "can't handle" the 9700? I was under the impression that AGP8X cards have to support AGP4X signalling.

BTW, welcome.

- M4H

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Another used gF4MX would probably be great - it just depends on how "budgeted" you are. And you're right, the FX is terrible. Check the FS/T forum.

Any reason why it "can't handle" the 9700? I was under the impression that AGP8X cards have to support AGP4X signalling.

BTW, welcome.

- M4H

yeah any agp8x card can reside in a 4x slot, im doing it right now on this computer. 9500pro in a 4x slot. works fine

get looking on the FS/FT forums, or ebay

a nice card for a nice price would be something like the Ti4200 or even a GF3 Ti200. i used to have an MX440 and then i payed £20 for a GF3 Ti200 out of a dell computer. it was a pretty good upgrade i can tell u.

 

[FixerMX]

The 9700 doesn't seem to want to talk to the SiS chipset -- after bringing all the drivers and BIOSes up to speed, it still crashes and reboots the computer when it starts trying to handle 3D instructions (in both OpenGL and Direct3D).

Will troll the forums now...

 

[TStep]

may be a power supply issue w/ the 9700. GF3/8500/Ti4200 all under $50ish these days.

 

[Frown66]

I would recommend ATI's Radeon 9000/9200/9250 series of video cards. They range (at Newegg) from $40-65. Though if you want to play at the 1024x768, I would recommend finding one with 128-bit memory interface, but that would run you in the $60's range.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Look no further! GREAT deal

keep an eye on THIS too.

 

[Megatomic]

You could probably get a used motherboard with a newer chipset that would work with your old 9700 for about the same price as another used video card from our FS/FT forums. If you were to get an NF2 motherboard you'd be all set.

That's the route I'd go given your budget constraints.

 

[Hott Nikkels]

I would go with a GF6200 for like $120... I used to own a GF4MX and now I own a FX5200ultra... its a LOT better then the GF4MX...
Try the Ti4200..
Try the 6200...
Maybe a FX5800...

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: Hott Nikkels
I would go with a GF6200 for like $120... I used to own a GF4MX and now I own a FX5200ultra... its a LOT better then the GF4MX...
Try the Ti4200..
Try the 6200...
Maybe a FX5800...

he wants to keep costs "low low low"

 

[hans030390]

Yep get a 6200

if you're lucky, her compy might be able to handle unlocking the pipelines and OCing it...

 

[Megatomic]

I realize that this thread is in the video forum, but getting a new used motherboard with a modern chipset is the best option all around. He will be able to use the Radeon 9700 he has laying around, and the computer will run faster overall with the upgraded motherboard.

EXAMPLE

 

[MonkeyWrench4000]

MegaTomic's idea is good.

However, if your not interested in a full format and starting clean then i reccomend the Radeon 9550 128mb (128-bit) card. It can be had at newegg.com for around $65, and is twice the speed of a fx5200, and in some benchmarks, even more. It is comparable to a ti4200 in speed. I personally think this card would be perfect for you.

Look Here:

http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/955055005200/ut2004.htm

Note that this benchmark uses the 64-bit version, so you should expect better performance with the 128bit.

The video card is passive cooled, and requires no molex connector. Its cool running, quiet, and probablly the fastest budget card ever created for $65.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: MonkeyWrench4000
MegaTomic's idea is good.

However, if your not interested in a full format and starting clean then i reccomend the Radeon 9550 128mb (128-bit) card. It can be had at newegg.com for around $65, and is twice the speed of a fx5200, and in some benchmarks, even more. It is comparable to a ti4200 in speed. I personally think this card would be perfect for you.

Look Here:

http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/955055005200/ut2004.htm

Note that this benchmark uses the 64-bit version, so you should expect better performance with the 128bit.

The video card is passive cooled, and requires no molex connector. Its cool running, quiet, and probablly the fastest budget card ever created for $65.

I agree. 9550 128bit memory bus cards are basically 9600Pro. Just don't get 64bit memory bus one and you should be fine.

 

[imported_Hi]

used GF4 TI4200

or Radeon 9000/9200 series

and stay away from the GF5 series

 

[Soulkeeper]

the 6200 isn't that shabby for a 100-130 buck card imo

 

[FixerMX]

Continuing feedback is appreciated, folks. I'm inclined to stick with NVidia cards -- the 9700 pro is damaged goods (part of the bizarre computer-related incidents I mentioned in the initial post), so I can't be sure, but I think the old SiS chipset on the cheap Asrock board couldn't hack either the card or the Catalyst drivers. Since I KNOW it can handle some NVidia cards and I'm terrified to wipe and reinstall her machine (think about the end of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" here -- "Everything I touch is ruined!"), I'll look for a GeForce part.

 

[comp101]

As the other posters have stated, the ATI low end cards (e.g. 9550) are said to be considerably better than the similar Nvidia version.

Nvidia has only recently caught up (and surged ahead) with the 6000 series.