GF2 upgrade?

[chucksaysword2]

Hey everyone I have a question for you. My current computer is a Pentium II 350 mhz, 256 MB RAM, and a Diamond Stealth II G460 AGP (it's basically an Intel740) graphics card with 8MB RAM. Recently I bought a new case and I moved the components into it. I left out the old 5.25" floppy and Ditto drives. RedHat 8.0 booted up successfully and didn't have a problem. Windows 98 however hasn't been the same since. Now personally I don't care that Windows is messed up but my dad had a fit, even going so far as to blame Linux for the problem. Of course I just laughed and pointed out that my FREE operating system didn't have a problem adjusting to the missing hardware. To make a long story short, Windows comes up in 640x480 and the lowest color depth possible but it's not in Safe Mode. My dad thinks that replacing the video card will solve everything. I think that not using Windows will solve everything. So basically I would like to know whether or not you think upgrading to a GeForce 2 MX400 w/64MB for $50.00 would be a wise move. The motherboard is only 1x AGP and the CPU is exactly smoking but maybe I'll finally be to play TuxRacer! If anyone has been in a similar situation I would really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks in advance to anyone who replys. And if it matters at all I'm now running Debian 3.0r1 Sarge.

[Icarus]

Windows is most likely missing the display drivers, no big deal...you should be able to find them (even though Diamond is no longer around)

The GF2 is a nice upgrade, and you could probally find one for less looking at www.pricewatch.com
Just looked, unless you go with an MX it's close to $50...don't do the MX, they are not very good and you'll get more out of something like a TI

[LinuxLuke]

Well, I saw a GeForce2 MX 400 in the local computer store, and I was considering picking it up, and i was wondering how it performs in Linux, unfortunatly it's not some big name GeForce, it's like a "Flash" or something...

[chucksaysword2]

My dad has tried replacing the drivers several times but to no avail. When he sits there cursing at the screen I just snicker and think how everyone says Windows is easier to work with. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Will a GF2 Ti allow me to play some games finally? To me trying to get the most out of aging hardware is more fun than buying a $3000 system to play games on. Thanks for the hints.

[Icarus]

Originally posted by chucksaysword2
Will a GF2 Ti allow me to play some games finally? To me trying to get the most out of aging hardware is more fun than buying a $3000 system to play games on. Thanks for the hints. Oh yes, the TI's are very good. Just don't expect to be able to run UT2003 very well ;)

But UT will run very nice :D

[Icarus]

Originally posted by LinuxLuke
Well, I saw a GeForce2 MX 400 in the local computer store, and I was considering picking it up, and i was wondering how it performs in Linux, unfortunatly it's not some big name GeForce, it's like a "Flash" or something... All my GeForces are non-name OEM products. GeForce256, GeForce2 MX200 and a GeForce 3 TI 400.

Getting them in stages like that makes the upgrades slowly worth it :)

Name brand cards are the same as the OEM, just the name brands might tweak something a little (overclock, driver or one of the other 100 things you can tweak with a GeForce)

[chucksaysword2]

Nice! Any suggestions on where I can find Linux versions of older games for cheap?

Also, won't the CPU be a bit of a bottleneck though? I mean its a 350mhz and the RAM clocks in at a whopping 100mhz. Hmm... maybe it's time for some more RAM. Damn I can't wait for the computer show to roll into town!

[Icarus]

Yes, the CPU and memory will be a big bottleneck, 350mhz is very slow but you can upgrade the board and CPU for less the a $100 (http://www.pricewatch.com/), the AthlonXP 1700+ is a nice chip ;)

Just don't go too cheap on the board, asus, abit and gigabite are the top three mother boards I'd recommend.
Forgot about MSI, they are also very good...

And memory is almost free these days, even DDR is about $50 for a 512mb :)

www.pricewatch.com is your friend :D

[chucksaysword2]

Well you see the only problem with that is that If I update the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and graphics card, then I'm going to want a new monitor. And then I'm going to want a new soundcard and speakers. It'll add up pretty quickly and quite frankly I just don't have the money. I really don't want to do a major upgrade right now because of all the promising technology right around the corner (AMD64, SATA, PCI Express, etc.). I guess I'll probably get a new computer by the time I head off to college though (3 years isn't too long, right?). Thanks again for your help.

[LinuxLuke]

thanks Mahdi, I'm assuming the normal nVidia drivers will work on that card, now it's just the matter of picking up my computer.... since I'm currently lacking a home :P