Need help/advice on GeForce FX 5200 128MB AGP

[vincejk]

Hello all - First time poster here. This appears to be the most comprehensive site I've seen for nVidia related information, so I'm humbly submitting a query which I am sure someone here (from reading the posts) should be able to answer.

Got my daughter Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 for X-mas, but my NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro just doesn't seem to cut it (seems it doesn't support "T&L"?), So, looks like time to upgrade, BUT, want to keep costs around $60-70 (may be time for a new computer in a year or so, so don't want to dump money into it).

So let me get to my question. I've been specifically looking at the ASUS nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64 bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "V9520-X/TD/128" -OEM available at Newegg for about $50. (Existing RIVA is a PCI, but I do know that my Asus MB has a 2X/4X AGP slot) So, question is, first, will the card support RCT3 (and some of the newer 3-D games - my daughter likes the "simulation type games)? Does the 64bit memory interface cause any problems/bottlenecks? Second, any general opinion on the card and/or OEM, and/or merchant (I'm going with Asus b/c I have an Asus mainboard) or recommendation for alternatives in same price range?

Bear in mind I'm not looking for spectacular performance. Just to be able to run the games reasonably for my kids, and see some noticable improvement over my current card.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, and Happy New Year to all!

Vince

P.S. Brief system info follows:
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.60GHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Page File: 272MB used, 347MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
I realize I should probably also upgrade my RAM as well since XP is so memory hungry.

[BigE4u]

Your right about the memory part... anyone with winxp should start out with at least 512mb regardless of version but 256mb will suffice if thats all a person can afford. As for the fx5200 card, its actually not bad a budget card for your daughters system, its just too bad the majority have 64bit memory, having 128bit memory makes a world a difference. Im not sure about RCT3, the VC requirements should be listed on the game box but some people have been known to play UT2004 and Halo action games with this card so im sure it'll handle rct3 w/o any problems.

Ps- Heres an ASUS 5200/128mb_128bit 4x/8x agp card, albeit its about $76 shipped... Neweeg\V9520-TD

[bonchez]

That card should be fine for "simulation" games. Some first person shooters and real time startegy games will work fine with that card. I do suggest however getting the 128 bit version, not the 64 bit. You don't have to get an Asus video card if you have an Asus mobo.

[BigE4u]

Well... i recently took a walk through www.pricewatch.com and found perhaps the perfect fx5200 thats right up your alley, $47 shipped!

ExtremeGear\Leadtek 5200 128mb(128bit)

[saturnotaku]

RCT3 has some pretty steep requirements considering the genre. In that game, everything is 3D now. There even is some use of pixel and vertex shaders (water on ponds, weather effects, etc).

You really should consider upgrading to 512 mb of RAM along with that video card. Windows XP is a memory hog, and 512 is considered a minimum even for casual gaming.

[Daneel Olivaw]

pny has a fx5200 non ultra with a 128bit bus.

[msxyz]

Or you'd better go for a FX5500 which seems to be the "high end offering" (so to speak) of the NFX5200 line. 99% of the FX5200 cards sold today has a 64 bit bus

[Daneel Olivaw]

BFG 5500 has a 64 bit bus. You really need to research what you buy in the entry level market.

[mcv50]

Hey Daneel, read the last post for http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=43570