Budget card

[maverick77_uk]

Hi all,

I've built a fair number of computers in my time, mainly for friends and family, and decided it's about time I build one for myself, seeing as I currently have a AMD K6-2 366, 128MB RAM and TNT2 card >;o)

Problem is, I'm on a severe budget - going to try and keep the whole thing to less than £250 (yes, it can be done, the others I've built have been around that!)

A few questions - On the graphics card front, is there really that much difference between the geforce 5200 and 6200? Or is it worth getting a DX8.1 part with a bit more kick, like maybe an old 4200? Is there anywhere that actually directly compares all cards including older models for a direct comparison? I mean, it would be great to see how a geforce 5200 or 6200 (ie modern budget cards) compare directly to say a GF3TI 500, ie an older "power" card.

Also, again because of the cost, combined with these lower power cards, I'm probably going to go for a Sempron socket A processor. Would I see much difference getting a 2800+, or is it worth saving 20 quid and getting say a 2400+?

Also, again bearing in mind the extreme budget, is it worth considering a ATI card? The 9200 looks pretty bad spec-wise compared with the also pretty bad geforce 5200?

Also, would say the 5200 be significantly better than modern on-board graphics chips?

Cheers for your help!

 

[Cromewell]

why not skimp out completely on the graphics card and get a motherboard with onboard video?

 

[Geoff]

Theres a difference between the 5200 and the 6200.

If you want a budger video card, you can get an ATI 9200 128mb for about $35.

I bought a computer that had a Celeron 2.4Ghz, 80GB SATA, Case, PSU, motherboard for about $250.

 

[maverick77_uk]

Hi, What is the performance difference between say a Geforce 5200, or 6200, or a Radeon 9200 and the on-board chips currently available?

Cheers!

 

[maverick77_uk]

Hi,

Is the 6200 worth the extra 30-40 quid? and how does the Radeon 9200 stand compared to the Geforce 5200 or 6200? (and on-board chips?)

Thanks for your help!

 

[Cromewell]

any addin card will be better than onboard but to help stay on budget, also you could use the saved money to improve on another component. its a good alternative for a non gaming PC (probably something it's not meant to do anyway if you are looking at the 5200 ). look here for benchmark results http://www20.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050208/geforce_6200-10.html

the 5200 isn't there but it will be on the low end.

 

[nevinenigma]

I'd go for the 6200 128mb version(128 bit) because you can unlock 4 more pipes and oc it which basically makes it the same as a 6600, here's a thread from some other forums showing results of this http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=877533 .

 

[Praetor]

Theres a difference between the 5200 and the 6200.

Unlocking aside, not a whole world of difference in performance. Of course there is the AGP/PCIE thing to deal with

 

[AMDCam]

If you want some graphics to go with that, I would get a Radeon 9550 or 9600, those things push some power, have directx9, and are really cheap. I was actually gonna build most of a computer for about $300 (keep an old case and mobo), and those were the cards that fit my budget, but then I decided to go the whole way on it and bought $700 worth of top-of-the-line (not state-of-the-art) parts.

 

[Greenheadhunter]

I have the 5200le and its junk. I'm getting either the 9800 or the 6600gt. Onboard video is better than that card.

 

[kiker]

On board solutions are not the best for a tight budget,hm.U better Look for used parts,at auctions,many friends of mine done this .
Some auctioning sites are fleamarket-ebay-etc
I still use ati radeon 9200se 128mb and i was very pleased with what i wanted,but if u are or going to become a 3d hunter think about buying an old thrill...
Hope this helps

 

[Praetor]

I have the 5200le and its junk

You do? What make is it?