HELP...Graphics Cards for Dummies!

[wileycraig]

Help, I know nothing about graphics cards and I want my game to work better.

So I was recently given the game Rollercoaster Tycoon 3. It seems like a pretty cool game, but I am limited to playing it on the lowest graphics settings. Frustrated by this, I was hoping to figure out how I might get more enjoyment out of the game. I am playing it on a Dell Dimension 8200 2.8Mhz, a gig of RAM, and more hard disk space than I know what to do with. This is all plugged into a 19" dell CRT Flat Screen. From what I understand I have a Nvidia GeForce4 MX420 graphics card, and from what I understand this isn't a super card. I was thinking that with my rig I would be able to play almost any game at a decent graphics level. When trying to play the game, it crashes if I try to play on anything but the lowest graphics settings. So...

Am I right in assuming that the graphics card is the weak link in the chain?

Is their something I can buy for less than $100 that will make all of this work better and make it so that I will be able to see the reflection of my fireworks display in the water while I am riding my very own rollercaoster?

The game suggested an ATI card, but it turns out there are many of those...

Any help in suggestions of how to solve this dilema would be great.

[Cantacuzene]

For $100? Hmmm, thats a pretty tight budget but lets see...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-257&depa=1

Thats probably the best you're going to do.

If you can save up another $50 your options get a lot bigger, but for $100 that isn't bad.

[shocky123]

(edit)--on 2nd thought. if you're blistering by at 2.8Mhz.... lol--


Yup yup.. good 'ol MX420 is what's holding you back. Unless there are other serious issues that you dont know about w/ your computer.
For a $100 you can get at least a two times improvement in graphics.
ATI/NVIDIA it's really preference, and "whatever's cheaper at the time" for $100 I dont think anyone will hate you.
Personally, I dont think NVIDIA figured out the FX series cards until they got past the FX 5700, unfortunately, about anything above that model is a bit more than what you're probably wanting to pay.
Sadly, I feel you might be limiting yourself by setting $100 bucks, that price range is right in the middle of the crappy cards, and respectable(decent) cards-which will run you $125-130.
But for what you're looking to spend, I'd recommend an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (128MB/256MB)---($109 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=14-131-221&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Video+Cards) ) . I'm somewhat partial to the 9600XT, but that's still about $135.
Anyways.. good luck

[bachviet]

:stupid:

For $100, get the ATI Radeon 9600Pro. If you are willing to spend a little more, get the Radeon 9600XT.

[zippyjuan]

Just watch out for SE versions of ATI cards and LE versions of NVidea- these are very slow versions of the original card.

[Showtime]

Note.
Prices for hw are always falling, but right now the new cards are just hitting the market. I'm sure you will easily be able to grab used 9700pros for around a $100 when the new cards are more abundant. People will sell their cards to upgrade. Check the for sale forums at any big site. Ebay might be a good place also.

I would sell you my 9700np for cheap, but there's always someone in my family who can use my old card when I upgrade.

Good luck,

-j

[Jeffbx]

If you can find one, grab yourself a 9500 Pro - it outperforms (http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/vga-charts-09.html) the 9600Pro 9600XT & 9800SE in many benchmarks, and you can get them for about $75-100 on ebay.