Best Buget Gamers Video Card

[enat66]

Hey all I need a new video card and I was wondering what is the best one to go for that won't incinerate my wallet. I want something to be able to play the new games (I don't care if I have to set it at low...just wanna play them).
I currently have a Radeon 7000 64mb SDRAM and it is not working too well with games (Battlefeild 1942, Conflict Desert Storm, The Great Escape, Indiana Jones)

What should I get.
Thanks You

(System Specs:
AMD 2400+
160 mb SDram (planning to buy some ddr soon, mobo supports both)
Motherboard: ECS K7S5A (with AGP 4x support) )

Thanks

[Blair]

Right now, I'd vote for the nVidia FX5200. $75-100, DX9 support, a nice overclocker. ATI 9200 is also a nice card. If you look long enough, you may be able to find a nice deal on a Ti4200 or even a Ti500.

The next gen of cards are due in about a month (supposed to be a "surprise" from nVidia). If you can wait, prices will drop shortly there after on previous cards, across the board.

[enat66]

Thanks...I was looking at the pricewatch prices of the ATI 9200 and do you suggest that I go with a certain maker of the card (they all are powered by ati but area they all basically the same?) Also what is the difference between an ATI 9200 and the 9200 SE

[craigwheway]

Do not go for a geforce fx or any of the new ones as they are massive boards and benchmarks (i.e performace) is not much higher than the geforce 4 cards. These fx cards are large and noisy amd many jokes have been made about nividia losing the plot like intel did with its expensive pentium 4. However the older geforce 4s like the 4200 will play anything ya want because i have yet to see many games use its advanced features such as fur effects! A 4600 must be cheap now, never get the latest batch of cards which come out they will have problems and will be more expensive. Older cards have tested drivers, i would not bother with ddr if u are on a budget has generally speaking it only yields around a 6% performance gain which can make up tweaking ure operating system or getting ure new graphics board. Get a program called cacheman form outer technologies to stop windows eating all ure ram, this will save u getting ddr. Ihav the same motherboard as u and would not suggest getting a brand new geaphics board as unless u update the bios itm ight not accept it, although without a bios update i hav installed a second hard disk with little trouble (120gig)

[Blair]

they all are powered by ati but area they all basically the same?

Yup, pretty much all the same. Buy whatever you can get the best price on, with good warranty and support.

what is the difference between an ATI 9200 and the 9200 SE

9200 = 128MB memory
9200SE = 64MB memory

Do not go for a geforce fx or any of the new ones as they are massive boards and benchmarks (i.e performace) is not much higher than the geforce 4 cards. These fx cards are large and noisy amd many jokes have been made

This was true of the FX5600, the "dustbuster" video card. Yes, it was a huge blunder for nVidia, but they quickly learned their lesson, and the new FX cards are actually pretty nice. I'm not an nVidia fanboy, in fact I currently run an ATI in my box. You really can't go wrong with either one.

[enat66]

Alright thanks to you both...I will probably end up getting the ATI 9200 (that will run all the latest games of tomorrow for atleast a year right? I don't care if I have to set the detail to low)

I was planning to go to ddr only if Office max had one of those mail in rebate deals to get it really cheap (or even free minus money for postage for the rebates)

[Abhoth]

When you speak of the 'new games' & 'for the next year or so'... pushes my thoughts into the Radeon 9500 Pro or 9600 Pro areas. If you can swing the bucks... as you get into the $175 - $200 range.

[enat66]

Alright thank you... (my problems would all be solved if I got a job lol)

[Baser-X]

Originally Posted by craigwheway

Do not go for a geforce fx or any of the new ones as they are massive boards and benchmarks (i.e performace) is not much higher than the geforce 4 cards. These fx cards are large and noisy amd many jokes have been made about nividia losing the plot like intel did with its expensive pentium 4.

I have an FX 5200 and it is not "massive" and it is so quiet I often check the fan to make sure it is still running (I already mentioned this in another thread, I think in response to you there as well). It was cheap online and I have not come across a game yet that it couldn't handle with everything maxed out. Of course I'm not a huge gamer, but I've played Enter the Matrix, Vietcong Uncensored, Freelancer, and BF1942 on this card and you can see my comp specs in my sig. My G4 MMX 420+ 64mb barely handled BF1942 set on the lowest possible settings and I paid more for that than I did the FX 5200.

[enat66]

Thank You

[ThunderChicken]

Baser-X.. I got the GF4 MX 420 in my box right now :/

It's such a terrible card I had to install a case fan onto it becuase the heatsink would get so hot..

how much did you pay for the FX5200? I paid $180.00 CDN for my GF4 MX.

[sup_r_man2001]

My personal recommendation would be to go with http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...6029&CatId=694

[psychocandy]

the card i have now is the fith in a year and it is bang on

fx cards were a bit noisey early on but this is quiet enough

only prob i have had is with the microsoft signed driver it seems a bit pants and for some reason turns of my card

my vote goes to nvida

[enat66]

Thank you to you all.

sup_r_man: what would the difference between that and the $55 Radeon 9200 128mb ones at www.pricewatch.com be?

[sup_r_man2001]

I do not believe that there is any difference in the cards featured on the two links. While the prices do vary, Pricewatch has many unknown or unheard of companies to buy from. With Tigerdirect, you buy from one company that has a 24/7 customer support line. Just a matter of personal preference.