hey guys, my first post on this forum and I am looking for some help in picking a video card. I have a Dell Dimension 2400 (yeah I know, it's crap), so I have no AGP slot, just 3 PCI slots. Therefore, I need to get a PCI card. I'm thinking about most likely getting the nVIDIA GeForce FX5200. However, I'm not sure what the difference is between the various FX5200 models, or if there is any difference. Here are some newegg links to FX5200 cards:
Chaintech FX5200
XFX FX5200
Prolink FX5200
Apollo FX5200
As far as what the video card will be used for, most important to me is probably running two monitors. I currently have a Dell 2001fp and will be getting another one in several days. I can't get dual DVI w/the FX5200, but I don't know of a PCI card that can get dual DVI, so I will have to settle for one VGA and one DVI. Another important thing for me is the card being able to support a Hauppauge TV tuner/capture card. I've read that Hauppauge tuner cards need a good video card to run well, so that is also important. I'd also like to be able to run multiple applications on one monitor and have TV/DVD playing on another monitor, don't think that is an issue but just want to check. Graphics-intensive gaming is not a concern, I don't play computer games and if I ever do again, it will likely be something that is not graphics intensive like Civilization II/III or some other turn-based game.
Also I have a question about my computer, the Dell Dimension 2400. I've read that some things are not compatible with the 2400. I just want to check that I can disable the on-board video card and install a new video card (taking up the PCI slot of the on-board card), and that my computer won't have any other strange compatibility issues w/a new video card.
Lastly, if there is a better PCI card that someone wants to recommend, please let me know as well. ATI 9200/9250/9200se, as well as Matrox G450 are also offered as PCI cards, I'd like to know if anyone has thoughts on those or any other PCI cards. From searching the forum/FAQ/guides and reading about PCI cards, I was under the impression that the FX5200 was the best of them. Also, price isn't really a concern, as long as its somewhat reasonable (<$200-250). Thanks in advance
Chaintech FX5200
XFX FX5200
Prolink FX5200
Apollo FX5200
As far as what the video card will be used for, most important to me is probably running two monitors. I currently have a Dell 2001fp and will be getting another one in several days. I can't get dual DVI w/the FX5200, but I don't know of a PCI card that can get dual DVI, so I will have to settle for one VGA and one DVI. Another important thing for me is the card being able to support a Hauppauge TV tuner/capture card. I've read that Hauppauge tuner cards need a good video card to run well, so that is also important. I'd also like to be able to run multiple applications on one monitor and have TV/DVD playing on another monitor, don't think that is an issue but just want to check. Graphics-intensive gaming is not a concern, I don't play computer games and if I ever do again, it will likely be something that is not graphics intensive like Civilization II/III or some other turn-based game.
Also I have a question about my computer, the Dell Dimension 2400. I've read that some things are not compatible with the 2400. I just want to check that I can disable the on-board video card and install a new video card (taking up the PCI slot of the on-board card), and that my computer won't have any other strange compatibility issues w/a new video card.
Lastly, if there is a better PCI card that someone wants to recommend, please let me know as well. ATI 9200/9250/9200se, as well as Matrox G450 are also offered as PCI cards, I'd like to know if anyone has thoughts on those or any other PCI cards. From searching the forum/FAQ/guides and reading about PCI cards, I was under the impression that the FX5200 was the best of them. Also, price isn't really a concern, as long as its somewhat reasonable (<$200-250). Thanks in advance