PCI video cards

[jelatin]

I am currently seeking a good PCI video card because my new dell computer did not come with an AGP slot. As an avid gamer and player of games like Final Fantasy XI, Halo, and other graphic intensive games, I am seeking the best PCI video card possible and am looking for suggestions. I am also curious to know how top of the line PCI cards compare to AGP cards. If they do not even compare to AGP cards, I will simply save to invest in a new computer. Thank you for your help.

[Alaron]

PCI video cards really cant compare with AGP cards. They are severely restricted in bandwidth. If you need a card to tide you over until you can invest in a new sytem, take a look at this. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...alog=48&depa=1 It should be able to keep framerates as high as possible.

[Blakhart]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=85464

[imbest123]

The best PCI video card you can buy right now is the Geforce FX 5200. Not a very good gamer and the PCI slot will make it even slower. It does outperform the Radeon 9200 in gaming which is the 2nd best PCI card out for gaming.

[jelatin]

Ok, knowing that, I am compelled to ask wether everyone would recommend spending the money to have the friendly people at compUSA transfer all the dell parts into a new case and install a new motherboard with an AGP slot, or just use the PCI card and get a cheap comp (perhaps an Emachine) for about 600 dollars or so a few months down the road and use that for gaming. Thanks for your help.

[imbest123]

Dont get E-machines. They use the worst parts available. I would probably buy a motherboard , case and power supply and replace it myself. Its not that hard to replace the parts. They will overprice you for their manual labor, dont let people at CompUSA do the work when you can do it yourself. The AGP slot really makes a difference. If you do have $600 to spend on gaming material im sure you can go with a good motherboard and at least a Radeo 9600 XT, which will do anything you want it to.

[jelatin]

Actually I already have a video card from my old machine (ATI radeon 9800) so I would really only need the MoBo. Unfortunately I have absolutely no clue how to check compatibility between a new motherboard and many of my existing parts. My other question now is why do people say emachines aren't very good? I've heard quite a bit of bad talk about them but my best friend has had one for 4 years, it runs like a charm, doesnt give him any hassle when he changes vid cards, and hasnt given him any trouble yet. Not to mention he got it with a 15'' monitor for only 556 bucks. Just curious, that's all. Thanks again for the help.