Graphics Best video card for an older MB with only PCI slots?

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My second (actually my daughter's) computer is built around a motherboard which admittedly is a dinosaur by today's standards. The MB is the Via Apollo MVP4 chipset-based Tekram P5M4B, running a K6-3 450. I tried upgrading the graphics card to a Radeon-based Diamond Stealth S60PCI64, but this turned out to be incompatible (got only a blank screen with no POST errors or beeps). I'd like to try a different card, but I don't want to be stuck with another I can't use. Does anybody have this particular MB (or another Via Apollo chipset-based model) for which they've successfully upgraded the graphics card? I'm not looking for anything cutting edge (don't do serious gaming), given the vintage of the MB and the fact it only has PCI slots. I can always shop for "yesterday's model" on eBay, so long as I know the card should work in this system.

 

I think you get PCI FX5200's - one of them should be able to provide 2D stuff fine. Don't go trying to play games with it though. PCI is a horrible bus, and the 5200 isn't much better.

You just can't really get anything that'll play 3D games on PCI(at least, that I know of).

edit: Oh and welcome to bit-tech

 

Theres not much guarantee that the older boards will support newer PCI cards.

Best thing todo is a cheap upgrade to Socket A or even 939 and run off that.

 

I was actually considering the FX5200 and FX5500, since they're among the oldest models to offer DirectX 9 support. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

my friend claims he can play Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II with a ATI Radeon 9250 PCI

 

The most powerful PCI card is the X1300, but its performance is severely limited by the PCI bus. A Radeon 9250 or FX-series card is the best way to go, unless you can find one of the few GeForce 6200 PCIs for cheap.