VOGONS


First post, by pool7

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I'm looking to buy a Geforce FX 5200 AGP for a retro pc I'm building (this specific card will be used for Windows 98SE and games that run in said OS).
I've been reading and investigating a lot, especially here in vogons.

From what I read, I should look for a card that is 128 bits. I've seen mention that it is best to avoid the ones with DVI as well as those with passive cooling; however I also read that fans on these cards suck.

So, my questions are:
1-Which brands/models are the best for this card?
2-Is there a way to visually identify if the card is 64 or 128 bits? I read that 128 bits cards have 8 RAM chips, but not sure about this.
3-Should I really avoid cards with DVI?
4-I prefer passive cooling whenever possible. For these cards is it better passive or active cooling?

In case anyone has time and is willing to further help, here's a list of the ones I may be able to get (hope it's ok to post links):
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9182 … -socket-agp-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9230 … 28mb-ddr-tv-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-8833 … as-vgatvdvi-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9147 … 5200-128-mb-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9239 … 5200-128-mb-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9344 … ca-de-video-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-1100 … xfx-fx-5200-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-8980 … 5200-256-mb-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9335 … 0-256mb-agp-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9311 … t-funcionan-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9333 … 0-agp-128mb-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-8747 … -5200-128mb-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9302 … 28mb-ddr-tv-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9337 … dr-vga-card-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9356 … 0-128mb-xfx-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-1100 … rce-fx-5200-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9355 … 5200-agp-8x-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-9307 … orce-fx5200-_JM
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-8768 … ideo-fx5200-_JM

Thanks in advance 😀

PS: Just to clarify: I have other video cards; I'm focusing now on acquiring this particular card, so please avoid suggesting I go for a different one 😀

Reply 1 of 4, by RandomStranger

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pool7 wrote on 2021-09-02, 04:25:
So, my questions are: 1-Which brands/models are the best for this card? 2-Is there a way to visually identify if the card is 64 […]
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So, my questions are:
1-Which brands/models are the best for this card?
2-Is there a way to visually identify if the card is 64 or 128 bits? I read that 128 bits cards have 8 RAM chips, but not sure about this.
3-Should I really avoid cards with DVI?
4-I prefer passive cooling whenever possible. For these cards is it better passive or active cooling?

1 - The ones with both 128bit memory bus and high (400MHz) memory clocks. A lot of 128bit variations have lower (266MHz) clocks offering similar bandwidth as the 64bit variants. They have better OC potential though. Also look for the 128MB models. The 256MB models most of the time had cheaper RAM chips and the 64MB models are all 64bit. That doesn't mean that all 128MB models are 128bit or have good RAM chips.

2 - I think all low profile cards are 64bit.

3 - I don't think there is an issue with DVI cards.

4 - If the heatsink is sufficiently large, passive cooling is enough. The FX5200 is not a hot card.

Your best option is to check the specs before buying.

sreq.png retrogamer-s.png

Reply 2 of 4, by pool7

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Thanks!
I ended up going with the only one I could "confirm" to be 128bit based on a sticker it has and the 8 RAM chips (let's hope it truly is). Unfortunately it's not easy to check with the crappy pictures people take and the lack of will they have for providing either better pictures or more info.

Reply 4 of 4, by zyga64

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There are full size cards with only half of the memory chips populated. I'm almost 100% sure that they are 64bit.

You may also consider buying Geforce FX5500. Those are practically the same as FX5200. Earlier drivers can be easily modified to work with those.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc4vivgEriU

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