agp versus pci

[bluemoonmn]

I am resurecting a compaq, don't laugh, with onboard video (ATI rage pro lt, agp 2x, 4mb), I have no AGP slot so I am considering a PCI card.
Will a 32mb or bigger PCI card be a better choice?

 

[dakota81]

Seems weird you'd be stuck at 4mb for onboard video, that doesn't give much options for desktop resolutions...

But anywho's, if the machine is not going to be running any 3d applications, even an 8meg video card is going to be plenty; 1024x768x32bits = 5meg. Any memory above 8meg is going to sit unused forever in a 2d environment. In other words, don't make the memory size the deciding factor in which video card you get. Even 1600x1024x32bits = 6.25meg.

 

[cdogg]

You can get yourself a GeForce4 MX PCI card for under $50 which is about as good as it gets for PCI. Just understand that the processor speed, memory, hard drive, etc, is probably going to bottleneck overall performance more than the video card.


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein