low profile: NVidia or Ati

[jamagic]

Okay, so I need a new graphics card for my brother-in-law. The budget is around $100 and it has to an AGP low profile. It appears that my to choices in chipsets are 1) NVidia FX 5200 and 2) ATI 9600SE.

I guess my question is which one is better, or does anyone know of a better option?

-Thanks!

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

They both suck, and from what I've seen there is no better option. The only other one I've seen in that form is a low profile FX5600(I think it was SE), if it's not an SE that 'might' be better than the other two.

In the end the FX5200 and R9600SE are very close, but double check and see if it's and FX5200SE, cause then the advantage would then tip towards the R9600SE. Otherwise look for the best price and best features, cause performance will be close to each other.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[baldurga]

What do you mean by "low profile"? Low performance?

I would ask first what are your brother in law will do with his computer. For Office/Internet/email you don't need to spend $100, with less than half is enough. A 9200SE will be a good choice for only $39 (see <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.html?i=2053&p=4" target="_new">Anandtech buyer guide - video entry system</A>)

If he plans to play some games, 9600 will be a good choice, but SE is NOT recommended at all. Close to your budget 9600 can be found <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-289&depa=0" target="_new">here</A> at $96 and going for the Pro version ($126) would be worth (<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-301&depa=0" target="_new">here is am exemple</A>).


Still looking for a <b>good online retailer</b> in Spain :frown: <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by baldurga on 05/24/04 11:42 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[ChipDeath]

I think by low-profile he means he needs a Half-height card. Some PCs - made by companies like Compaq usually - use slimline cases that simply don't have enough height for a full-size card.

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744

 

[baldurga]

:frown:

I know some companies sell PCs even without AGP slot, but never know about card "limitators".

You will never go to sleep without learning something new.


Still looking for a <b>good online retailer</b> in Spain :frown:

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Like ChipDeath said, low profile simply means just that lower profile, aka half-height.

<A HREF="http://www.giga-byte.com/VGA/Products/Products_GV-R96S128D.htm" target="_new">Here's Gigabyte's R9600SE</A>, that should give you an idea of what we're talking about.

As for the R9200SE, forget that, it's not a good choice, almost as bad as an MX4000! And the R9600 and R9600Pro do not come half height, at least not from the major makers, I think Apollo may have made an R9600 but it might have been a typo.

The only widely available choices are the FX5200, FX5600SE and the R9600SE IIRC.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[ChipDeath]

Never an issue for me. I like a case that's large enough for me to use as a footrest under my desk .

Plus of course larger cases are just much nicer to work with. I hate cramped cases.

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744