Upgrade from fx5200 combined with dual boot 1

[blom0344]

I am considering upgrading my old Dell 8100 that is currently working with a fx5200 videocard. This is really a budget card and I'm looking for a faster card.
However my Dell is a dual boot PC running WinMe/Win2000 on an older motherboard (AGP 4x, no PCIe)
Dell computers do not seem to work well with ATI based cards, so I am looking for a newer Gforce card.
Any suggestions for an affordable upgrade that brings a better level of performance?

Ties Blom

 

[paparazi]

In my opinion, you would be best looking for a second user Nvidia FX5900XT/FX5900/FX5900ultra/FX5950ultra.
New AGP based gaming cards (like the 6800GS/7800GS)are expensive, may not be compatible and would be seriously bottlenecked by your older hardware.
Be aware that you will need alot of power for any of these cards, (350watts or above qualtity PSU)

Martin

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[blom0344]

FX5500 with 256Mb (twice memory of my FX5200) is still available in shops. would this be a worthwhile upgrade?

Ties Blom

 

[paparazi]

Erm no! forget the amount of memory, on lower end cards 256mb is nothing more than a gimmick as the GPU simply is not fast enough to use it.
The actual graphics processing unit is the engine, the memory is like the fuel tank, a 5500 is only marginally faster than the 5200, don't waste your money.
An FX5700ultra, FX5900 or similar is several TIMES faster than a FX5500.
Martin

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[blom0344]

Okay, I understand. The cards you mention are no longer available in shops. A Peak 256mb GF6200 is still available for around 60 euro. I have very bad experience with ATI based cards in combination with DELL computers, so I want to stick with Nvidia based cards..


Ties Blom

 

[paparazi]

OK I understand you want to buy new and thats fine.
Obviously your choices are limited since the demise of AGP and further elliminating ATI as an option (although I'm not altogether sure of your reasoning)
The 6200 in AGP form was a faster card than a 5200 but I have slight concerns about compatibiliy although I do not know of any specific problems.
As far as the card goes, avoid the "Turbo Cache" versions like the plague, these share resources with onboard ram and are not good performers, the non TC versions aren't too bad.
An even better option would be an AGP version of the Nvidia 6600GT, these should be still available if you look hard enough.
Martin

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