Absolute cheapest PCI-E video card

[enko]

I want to upgrade my server's motherboard to have SATA to build a RAID5 NAS. Most higher end mobo's with 4 SATA ports have only PCI-E for video. So I have two options

- Get a MOBO also with onboard VGA, but usually these have only 2 SATA ports since they are for entry-level systems.
- Buy the cheapest friggin PCI-E card I can find.

This is a server without a monitor even. It can be a 2D card for all I care.

Thoughts?

[sickcars]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1243208&CatId=0

[Sarc]

If you have a PCI slot to spare, there are cheaper video cards to choose from.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1520508&CatId=0

[enko]

Nice find sickcars! That is pretty cheap.

Crap it's a rebate though. Total with shiping, 69$. Locally I can get a 7300GS fro 69+tax so might be just as easy to do that.

The PCI card is mad cheap, I could try and find one used. Might be a good approach. It's seems so wrong to slap a PCI video card in an A8N mobo :P My server is better then some of my friends main PC's :|

[BlueMax]

If you have a PCI slot to spare, there are cheaper video cards to choose from.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1520508&CatId=0

You want something a little better than that - even for desktop use! Something with better driver support - directX support - enough RAM for a decent desktop size. That 8MB RageXL is a bad, bad idea!

[enko]

Hmm might be a good point, I was worried about driver support actually, I don't want to put anything in the system that would make it unstable.

**** might be cheaper just to buy a 4-channel SATA card :|

[mortimusmaximus]

Check this...and it is in stock!!
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?affiliateid=1302486&sku=18197

[enko]

Okay definately not cheaper to buy a SATA card.. there aren't too many available, most are SATA1 not SATA2, and 4 ports are expensive :|

[enko]

Frig, thanks for the help. It doesn't matter.

My server is a 2500XP. I was going to upgrade the motherboard for SATA. But I just realized that I can't! All the new motherboards are for 64-bit CPU's!

So looks like I'll have to wait until the next upgrade "cycle", where I buy a new PC and my main PC becomes my server :(

[enko]

I'm so mad. What a friggin ****** time. So many changes. 64 bit CPU's, PCI express AND SATA! Too many to flippin deal with!