You should visit webhostingtalk.com and browse through their dedicated server section or gaming section and advertising. There are tons of west coast host on their and well within that budget.
You should opt-in for an X3 core instead like the others mentioned. Your video card is the main factor and even an X4 or X6 wont help if your video card is not fast enough.
I totally agree with OP. Black OPs lacks the realism that we are so used to in games like BFBC2 and COD MW2. I actually bought the game on release date and was so disappointed at the quality of the game. After getting used to the graphics of MW2, playing Black OPs was an eyesore and couldnt...