Easy video card question

[Laplacian]

When I built my PC 3 years ago I used to know all about the Nvidia cards, what the model numbers meant, etc. I certainly know that a higher number does not mean better card because there are value and performance versions in each line. So, I need help please!

I need to replace a Geforce 4 Ti4200 on an old machine (I know, I know) and want to know which of these is the best option. The card works just fine, but the fan just went out and it's only a matter of time before it fries (really hot already). This machine will not be used for heavy gaming--only watching DVDs, viewing pictures, and the standard Windows stuff. A good chunk of CPU time and RAM is already occupied by current processes (virus scan, firewall, auto-backup program, etc.).

Machine specs:
old HP custom
P4 1.4 GHz (Willamette)
640 MB RDRAM (yes, that's old school too)
Windows XP Pro SP2

Requirements for card:
**AGP slot only (no PCIe)**
Must have DVI out

From pricewatch:

Chaintech Geforce FX5700 128MB $38
http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/product.asp?PRDCODE=VCCH-SA5700128&REFID=PW

PNY Geforce 6200 256MB $50
http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/product.asp?PRDCODE=VCPN-G62256APB&REFID=PW

PNY Geforce 5200 256MB $56
http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/product.asp?PRDCODE=VCPN-GFX522APB

others?

I want a good, reliable card that won't sap my already low system resources with Win XP, etc. Which of these three looks like the best option? I'd prefer to get the cheapest one, but will spring for a more expensive one if warranted.

Thanks!

edit: fixed last link

 

[Waffletron]

If you're not gaming, the FX5700 SHOULD meet your needs. I think the FX5800s were the ones infamous for sounding like a dust-buster, so you should be fine there as well.

The other option would be to get a cheapo PCI video card, or look in the FS/FT forums here and offer someone $5 for an old GeForce4MX .

 

[Laplacian]

Thanks for the advice. So you don't think that the extra 128 MB of video memory would do anything to ease the burden off my already slow system?

Also, how good is Chaintech compared to PNY? I've been happy with Asus products in the past, but can't find anything of theirs that will work for me. I had a Chaintech card (6600GT) that caught fire once but they RMA'd it and I haven't had problems since.

 

[Ziontrain]

I'd go with this.

If you aren't using it for any games, that'd be the easy route.

 

[Laplacian]

Again, thanks for the replies. That Zogis 5200 got some mixed reviews--plus, I've never heard of that brand. I'm now debating between the Cahintech 5700 and PNY 5200. The PNY has no fan (so there is no fan to go out again!), but the Chaintech is cheaper...

Incidentally, which of these Nvidia chipsets is the best/worst (out of 5200, 5700, 6200)? Tom's hardware is useless for anything not current so I can't see benchmarks. I probably won't base my decision on performance since you guys think they'll all be good enough for me, but I'm mainly just curious. (Like I said, I used to know the answers to these things but not any more!)

Thanks again!

 

[skadebo]

I'd go with the 6200, video processing quality changes incrementally and I would get the latest possible card for that.

 

[cannondale06]

that PC is from 3 years ago or are you talking about 2 different ones? my parents Dell from early 2001 had those specs. I have cheap Compaq comps from 2003 with specs twice that good.

 

[Laplacian]

that PC is from 3 years ago or are you talking about 2 different ones? my parents Dell from early 2001 had those specs. I have cheap Compaq comps from 2003 with specs twice that good.

No, the PC I'm referring to is from about 7 years ago (about 2001)--when the P4 first came out (Willamette core). BTW, this was my old PC but now belongs to my parents. My current rig is my 3 year old machine in my sig (6600 GT card).

I'd go with the 6200, video processing quality changes incrementally and I would get the latest possible card for that.

Skadebo, what do mean by "video processing quality changes incrementally"? I want good quality Windows and DVD graphics (not Half-life graphics) but speed is more important. Does the 6200 do that? If so, I'll spring for the extra $12.

I vaguely remember that the 6200 came out as an uber-value card--some models even used shared memory. I guess things have changed. Can anyone put these chipsets in order? I initially though that 5700 > 6200 > 5200. Please correct.

No comments on brand? PNY vs Chaintech? If not for my Chaintech catching fire (seriously, I saw it) I wouldn't even ask. RMA'd Chaintech has been perfect, though.

Cannondale06, what bike do you have? I am a recently converted roadie myself (assuming you are too). Shouldn't you be over at bikeforums?

 

[skadebo]

I meant that video processing quality changes incrementally from generation to generation. So videos and DVDs on the 6200 would probably look better on the 6200. I can't do a direct comparison but for reference my old Geforce mx-2 has vastly inferior video quality, be it DVD, Divx or whatever, compared to my 8800GT.

 

[Laplacian]

I meant that video processing quality changes incrementally from generation to generation. So videos and DVDs on the 6200 would probably look better on the 6200. I can't do a direct comparison but for reference my old Geforce mx-2 has vastly inferior video quality, be it DVD, Divx or whatever, compared to my 8800GT.

Dude, the difference between a Geforce 2 MX and an 8800GT is like the difference between a Model T and a Lamborghini Gallardo. Point taken about the generation differences, though.

Still, I thought that a 5700 is better than a 6200 is better than a 5200. Please correct the order if you know.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[skadebo]

I don't know the 5 series off the top of my head but the 5700 may have better 3d performance than the 6200 but video-wise I'd give the nod to the 6 series.