strictly budget gaming card

[alexfue12]

alright, my fx5200 burnt out on me so now i'm looking for a video card to hold me over till i can save up for a PCI-E rig.

Games I play: Halo, GTA: VC, counter-strike: source, DoD: Source, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (occasionally), and soon BF2. I kno they're not the newest games, but I'm not much of a heavy gamer anyway, meaning i don't pay attention to the little stuff like HDR or anything of the sort, but I also want some pretty decent framerates, even if it means 30FPS.

Also, I'm hoping it can stay in the $40-$70 range, tho that is asking for a bit much, I kno.
there is one that seems to have my attention: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102410 ( SAPPHIRE 100562L-GN Radeon 9600PRO 256MB 128-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail)

My Specs:
Intel Celeron D 356 (3.33GHz, 512K cache, 533 FSB)
1024MB DDR400 RAM
160GB Maxtor (80GB main, 80GB backup)
300W Enlight PSU (on it's last legs, ordering FSP Group 350W with card)
WinXP Pro SP2 (TinyXP edition)
15" IC Power LCD monitor (1024x768 Max res)

Do you think the 9600PRO would keep me suited for maybe till the end of the year, or am i aiming too low?

[richenstony]

Does this take your fancy http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4FY8&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=fx5200&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0



This card here is mid price ranged- http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=45BW&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=fx5200&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

[alexfue12]

Alright, let me rephrase that. I want something just a bit BETTER than my FX5200.

Good suggestion, tho. Just isn't worth $70 IMO.

EDIT: Just a quick question for you stoney. What games do you play and what kind of performance are you getting?

[richenstony]

Ok dabs is out of stock for this card but im pretty sure this will be ideal for you


http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=34D8&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=fx5200&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

[richenstony]

EDIT: Just a quick question for you stoney. What games do you play and what kind of performance are you getting?
[/quote]

If you have a look in hardware i made a thread on my new upgrades , the thread is called upgrade dissscusion

[richenstony]

This one is mid-priced range http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=45BW&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=fx5200&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0

[alexfue12]

oh, didn't see that before. Alright then.

so i'm guessing that not even the 9600PRO can match the FX5200? alright then, how about this?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141060

I kno i'm trying to skimp out of buying a quality card, but i don't want to spend hella much on a card that'll just end up being replaced anyway.

Oh, and i'm only... ermmm... 14

[richenstony]

To be 100% honest with you , i am being trained by a member of this fourm , i know a bit abut the card you need , but i think you are gunna be farley limted if you cant spend to much on a new one , repalce or no replace in the long run you will have some great gameing there .


Are you from the untied kingfom??

[alexfue12]

sorry, no. i'm from the US (if you couldn't tell by the $ signs.)

so maybe sets my sights a bit higher, huh? no problem then. an extra $10 won't phase me too much. You think an x1650 would be worthwhile? It'll for sure give me way better performance than the 6800XT, and for just $7 more.

[richenstony]

Yh it seems an ok card , and your overall gameing would be better , but i would still spend a tad more on one a bit better , to be honest there is a diffrence between them but not really that much , thats why the money gap isnt to big .

But im sure if your okay with it that card would work fine 

[alexfue12]

You kno what, forget budget. I can build my PCI-E box some other time. Right now I want something that will satisfy me for just a few more years. What would anybody recommend in the $100 to $140 range?

[richenstony]

From the looks of things i would say this card would be your best bet its twice as good as your old one and its no to expensive in my currency



System Requirements

OS Required
    Linux
    Microsoft Windows 95
    Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
    Microsoft Windows NT 4.0



Installed Size
    256 MB

Memory Clock Speed
    333 MHz

Technology
    DDR SDRAM

Type
    Video adapter memory

RAMDAC Clock Speed
    350 MHz


http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=34D8&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=fx5200&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0



he GeForce FX 5200 GPUs deliver best-in class performance and features at a great price. Experience cinematic-quality effects and studio-quality color, and the industry-leading performance and rock-solid driver stability you expect from NVIDIA. The only DirectX 9 compatible GPUs in their class, the 5200 models are engineered for compatibility with the latest gaming and multimedia software.

[alexfue12]

Hey, man.  I know you're new to the video card market, so I kno you don't know this, but FX had to be one of the worst series nVidia came out with. Not that they were completely bad cards, but i kno i can spend my money more wisely.

[Calum]

For $146.99 - X1950GT.
If you can't stretch that far, $119.99 - 7600GT.
Both very good cards, the X1950 is very powerful but you might not want it because it's over the budget.
Hope this helps you out.

[alexfue12]

sorry, bud, but i don't do newegg rebates. i've read many reviews saying how the rebate process has been headaches to all (unless of course you've tried it yourself.)

but that x1950GT is looking pretty gangster. Just a question, tho. I have a gig of memory. How much would I benefit from another 512MB, maybe another gigabyte?