Best Vidcard around $100?

[Bad Goat]

Just doing a cheap upgrade for a friend to hold him over til spring when he gets his income tax to build a new rig. But he needs something bad right now. He said he wants to stay around $100 for the vidcard.

I was thinking the ATI 9600pro. Any other ideas so I could be doing my homework before he wants to place the order?

 

[mhenley]

I just one of those black friday deals from Best Buy for a 9600XT for $100 after mail in rebate, I like this card. doesn't have the 8 pipes like the 9800, but it seems to handle most games just fine. might have to turn down the quality settings for the newest games though.

 

[dderidex]

If you have to go nVidia, unless you don't plan on gaming on your PC, you need an FX 5700 AT LEAST. Not the LE, just the regular NU.

Fortunately, they can be had cheaply.

Taddah!

FX 5700 full-version, non-LE, for $88 shipped. I have this card in my PC right now. (Note that this will NOT qualify for a 'silent PC' card, you'll want to consider the Vantec Iceberq 4 Premium to replace the stock HSF with if your aims are in that direction). It is an AWESOME performer and overclocks VERY well - I'm right now at 504/612 all stock.

Take a look at how it stacks up (thanks to Digit-Life's 3d digests):

Not bad for an $88 card, eh?

So, in short, if you need a cheap nVidia card BUY AN FX 5700!!!

Oh, and STAY AWAY FROM ANYTHING WITH 'LE' IN IT FROM NVIDIA!!! (And the 5600xt - another crap-tastic disaster)