This may be an odd question, but what would you all say is the best PCI Graphics Card currently available (not PCI-E).

If you could, give me model numbers or brand names (nvidia based only, please). I am asking because I'd like something reliable. Thanks very much, people.

The choices in PCI video cards are limited & relatively expensive, not to mention they give fairly poor gaming performance. Make sure you get a card that uses 128-bit memory interface. 256MB is unnecessary, but you may have no choice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143032

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=326018

ASUS A7N8X-X
Athlon XP 1800+
8.5 x 200MHz
1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro SP1

I am even shocked they even sell PCI graphics cards anymore considering even the cheap pc's comes with an AGP slot now and have since the past couple of years.

I saw a pci Geforce FX 5500 OC PCI card sell for 120 and I almost fell off my chair.

some of the very cheapest systems dont come with AGP slots. My freind's less-then-a-year-old HP doesn't have one so he bought a 256mb card and OCed it and still gets fair performance, though not up to the standards of most 256mb cards (maybe about the same as a Radeon 9250). He does some lighter gaming on it and it does okay. Ligter Gaming: GTA San Andreas, Rainbow Six, etc. Nvidia makes the best ones currently though.

if you are open to eBay you can save much $$$:

http://cgi.ebay.com/3D-FUSION-3DFR4000P-GEFORCE-MX4000-128MB-PCI-GRAPH-CARD_W0QQitemZ5245507641QQcategoryZ40161QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

-or-

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jaton-GeForce-FX5200-PCI-TV-128MB-DDR_W0QQitemZ5244143114QQcategoryZ40161QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

if you dont wish to eBay then Jam's links are good.

Never try to teach a hog to sing. It frustrates you and aggravates the hog.

Well now I guess HP took the Compaq way in making things cheap.

Man i'm soo glad I build my systems.

I would really love to just get a new computer entirely with AGP, but I am really not in any position to shell out right now. I figure $75 on a good PCI video card and maybe $150 for a pair of these...

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=DA5B7831A5CA7304&WSMD=Dimension+L+Series&WSPN=CT207869

And that should keep me capable of playing some games I'd like to check out (and especially some older ones I never got around to).

Thanks very much for all the help, guys.

why do you need to get a new system? a 1.0ghz with 512mb RAM and a decent graphics card is still a pretty decent system, and competant in everything including light/older games. my system is a 1.0ghz with 512mb as well, and though i am biulding a gaming computer, this will remain my mainstay system. 1.0ghz with 512mb and a decent graphics card is stiull quite adaquite even by today's standards.

Never try to teach a hog to sing. It frustrates you and aggravates the hog.

Let's hope so. =)

I just read at the top of this page that a 128 mb memory PCI graphics card is a better choice than one with 256 mb memory, Is this true and why? I have a ATI Radeon 9250 with 256 mb memory that I am thinking about replacing with a nVIDIA Bloody Monster 5700LE GeForce FX with 128 mb memory. Should I do it? Which card is better? Thanks alot for any help.

I think 256 is better, it's just a matter of how much money is worth spending when I'm bottlenecked by PCI to begin with.

I think.