Whats the best PCI video card for windows vista Aero?

Question

I just bought a Video card hoping it will work on my dell b110 with pci slots. I want to know if this will work with aero, and if not whats the best one for under 100 dollars, and also if there is a better one than this one.

http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?page=productpage&pn=PVT64KNTF7

How could i get a pci express thing on my pc,
By the way i currently have a Intel 82865G Graphics Controller, which is better.

Answer 1

I understand your situation. Dell, even on some newer models, didn't include an AGP or PCI Express slot, so you are stuck with plain old PCI.

The best PCI video cards available right now, and the only ones guaranteed by manufacturer to support Vista Aero, are ones based on the ATI Radeon X1300. VisionTek and Diamond sell models that are mounted on a PCI Express to PCI converter. Consequently, it costs more than the regular version, but I think you can find them for around 99-109 dollars. The PCI version comes in a green box, the red one is the PCI Express. Without a doubt, this is currently the best PCI graphics card you can get.

** Update: A few new PCI graphics cards, from Diamond and HIS went on sale recently. They are ATI Radeon X1550 PCI cards. I don't know how they compare in benchmarks to the X1300, but the system requirements look pretty high for an old system. Maybe they would be best for a newer Dell that didn't have an AGP or PCI-E slot. **

If you need or prefer Nvidia cards, there are cards based on the GeForce 6200 and FX 5500 available for PCI. BFG Tech's 6200 OC PCI is probably one of the fastest Nvidia PCI cards still being made, and they have overclocked it to gain a little extra performance. You can find it for under $100 on auction sites if you look around. Another option, though considerably harder to find, are the FX 5700LE and the FX 5600. These should both be better than the 5200, but I don't know where you can purchase one anymore.

Even though the FX 5200 is listed as compatible by Microsoft, you might want to get at least an FX 5500. I am currently using a 3DFuzion GeForce FX 5500 in an old Dell Optiplex GX1, and I can verify that it works well. I develop OpenGL and graphics-intensive applications, and have no problems. I got the card for $35 dollars, and it meets my needs very well. Overstock auctions has one for about $20, and they have a section dedicated to PCI graphics cards.

I also recommend replacing the Microsoft drivers with the ones from the vendor or that can be downloaded from Nvidia, since Microsoft cripples the performance of OpenGL in the drivers available through Windows Updates. Sites like NGOHQ.com have optimized Nvidia drivers that have been tweaked to get the maximum performance out of your card. However, they are not supported by the manufacturer, so you use them at your own risk.

Having just gone through this hunt myself recently, I can sympathize with the lack on information available to research various PCI graphics cards. Hopefully this helps!

Answer 2

To be honest, there is no BEST PCI video card.

A PCI video card is like putting really tiny wheels on a truck made for off-roading. It may make it down the highway, but the second you get into some mud, you are not going to move very fast.

Answer 3

nicely i'm individually utilising an NVIDIA Geforce 9800 Black version that's $239.ninety 9. i think of whilst microsoft released vista they required a minimum of a good video card in case you have an onboard intel GMA 950 that's comparatively previous then you certainly're in sturdy shape. Or in case you have some super impressive severe skill pictures card then definite, no questions asked

Answer 4

Windows Vista sucks it should come preloaded with one like XP, if you have Windows Vista Return because it's not all the way Debbuged yet, besides that

ebay.com
amazon.com
half.com - hosted by ebay or something
and besides that, if you go to college, you could ask a computer teacher to buy you one and you pay for it, beacuse that is what my brother did with a speed card or someting

Answer 5

that SHOULD work with areo but im not making any promises. no i dont think thats that best for pci but im to busy to look right now so just go to www.tigerdirect.com and check out the video card section

Answer 6

You bought a pci video card? WHY? lol your screwed.

Answer 7

thats about the best ur gonna do for pci ... u need to upgrade ur board to a pciXpress .. and u need about a nvidia 7600 to work decent with vista ...