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Name: Bobthearch
Hello. I'm looking for a low-end ($50) graphics card for a computer I'm building for an older person. General-use computing including internet, office, and some science programs that have moderate graphic needs. No 3D gaming.
Many of the graphic cards in that price range aren't on the chart at TomsHardware, perhaps 'cause they're too old. Browsing at NewEgg I see cards listed like the Nvidia 7200GS, 7300LE/GT/GS and from ATI the X1550 and X1650PRO.
Is the X1615PRO the best of that bunch? It's $49.99 right now after rebate.
Any comments or other suggestions are welcome.
"No 3D gaming"
That says it all. The X1650Pro is totally unnecessary. You can easily get away with a cheap 64-bit card w/passive cooling, but I suggest you avoid cards that use Tubocache or Hypermemory.
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Thanks for sharing your insight and time.
Probably the most graphic-intense use will be simple childrens games and astronomy simulation programs (Celestia).
I never considered passive cooling, but you're probably right.
I'm unfamiliar with "turbocache" and "hypermemory," but I'll keep an eye out.
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AGP or PCIe?
I assume PCIe so id do this get a 6200TC or x300HM, for general use it wont matter they arnt gaming anyway, disable the TC or HM via the drivers, and use the onboard 16-32mb of ram only. If those are hard to find get a 7100GS and follow said instructions. You can also get intergrated graphics from say a 6100 and use that, for stuff like you say they will use it for it really wont make a diffrence.
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"I assume PCIe so id do this get a 6200TC or x300HM"
Heh. Thats the complete opposite of what jam recommended.
Turbocache and Hypermemory usually have a very small amount of onboard memory typically 32MB and uses the system RAM to make up for the lack of the onboard stuff. That means it will affect the performance of the computer aside from the graphics.
No matter what you choose, just get the best that you can for the least amount of money. Anything will do really.
Mattwizz3 :
My Take of the super P3:P3 Tualatin @ 1.58GHz
SL-65DVB Motherboard
640Mb PC133 @ 150MHz
Sparkle 6600
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Thanks for the tips. I've gone back over the product selection at NewEgg once more and decided on the X1550. It's $25 after rebate, half the price of the X1650PRO that I originally selected and only $5 more than the X550.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...
This computer doesn't ~need~ a great graphics card, but I'd like it to be on par with the rest of the components, and I am particular about getting my money's worth. :)
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The X550 uses 128-bit memory rather than 64-bit, has passive cooling & is only $20 (+ shipping) with no rebate involved. Performance should be similar. IMO, it's the better choice.
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Thanks. I see so many slight variations in the specs, and it's not clear how they inter-relate without seeing side-by-side comparison charts.
One more basic question, are there any brands that are known to be less reliable than average? I see several names that I'm not familiar with (PowerColor, Zogis, HIS). Anything to stay clear of?
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I don't know much about HIS, but Powercolor & Zogis are owned by the same company...Powercolor is the ATI division, Zogis is the nVidia division.
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I pushed the button on the HIS X1650PRO.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Probably could have gotten by with less, but even childrens games and science softwares are becoming more and more graphically demanding. And I was still able to keep the entire build price (excluding monitor) to $420!
Thanks again everyone!
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kinda makes you wonder why the come here at all dont it Jam. Lol i got a 7950GT for 30 bucks though :D
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"kinda makes you wonder why the come here at all dont it Jam."
To the contrary, I sincerely appreciate Jam taking the time to read my posts, answer a few questions, and make suggestions.
He was probably correct about spending more than necessary. But the computer is a gift, and I didn't mind spending the small amount extra. This is my first AMD/ATI build, so I was also curious about the various hardware choices and wanted to get the very most machine for the alloted budget.
Thanks again,
-Bob
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