03-18-2003, 02:51 AM
ATI: You'd have to ask around, but anything 8500+ is a good bet.
nVIDIA: I run a GeForce4 Ti 4200 64MB (128 is NOT worth it), at 4x AGP (they have an 8x AGP out now in 64MB form, too). Suits me QUITE well. If you want more power, go for it, but I'd expect this card to last me a good couple years. And, it's quiet, despite being a pretty big card. ;)
Overclocking is a tricky business. Chances are, your friend was a moron about it. Two things to remember when overclocking: 1) BABY STEPS. 1 - 5 MHz at a time. And, as SOON as you see any problems, tone it back down to the last, stable setting you had. 2) Added cooling. A few mini-heatsinks on the microprocessors, a better fan, and a better heatsink on the main CPU will all help the card. Not only will it keep it in better shape normally (more cooling always helps, even if it's not needed), but it will ensure that you can safely overclock it without damaging the card, and without shortening its life span.
Don't be afraid of overclocking. Be afraid of being a moron about it. ;) I don't fear knives. I fear what my hand might do with it if I get careless.
nVIDIA: I run a GeForce4 Ti 4200 64MB (128 is NOT worth it), at 4x AGP (they have an 8x AGP out now in 64MB form, too). Suits me QUITE well. If you want more power, go for it, but I'd expect this card to last me a good couple years. And, it's quiet, despite being a pretty big card. ;)
Overclocking is a tricky business. Chances are, your friend was a moron about it. Two things to remember when overclocking: 1) BABY STEPS. 1 - 5 MHz at a time. And, as SOON as you see any problems, tone it back down to the last, stable setting you had. 2) Added cooling. A few mini-heatsinks on the microprocessors, a better fan, and a better heatsink on the main CPU will all help the card. Not only will it keep it in better shape normally (more cooling always helps, even if it's not needed), but it will ensure that you can safely overclock it without damaging the card, and without shortening its life span.
Don't be afraid of overclocking. Be afraid of being a moron about it. ;) I don't fear knives. I fear what my hand might do with it if I get careless.
Roland *The Gunslinger*