Best video card under $100

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Wich0

Limp Gawd
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Jun 5, 2004
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Looking for a good video card for my gf's computer under $100 bux. Only for casual gaming (simcity 4, the sims). Also it has to be AGP..I was looking at the 9600xt but I was wondering how the new gen cards will do vs. this.
 
Wich0 said:
Looking for a good video card for my gf's computer under $100 bux. Only for casual gaming (simcity 4, the sims). Also it has to be AGP..I was looking at the 9600xt but I was wondering how the new gen cards will do vs. this.
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Assuming you are referring to new, the 9600XT probably is your best bet, at $100 maximum


Using newegg as the yardstick for prices, however, you will find that for $104, you can have This video card

Now, if you Compare the 9600XT to the X700 you'll see that the next-gen x700 for ~10 more is a much better purchase.


The 9600XT is a previous core clocked higher than it originally was released, while I am sure you can further overclock the 9600XT, .. it's baseline is higher than that of the x700.
(It's harder to get a 50% overclock out of a 500mhz part than it is to get a 50% overclock out of a 400mhz part)

The x700 is more future proof :) It also has 200% more pixel pipes and texture units, and 300% more vertex pipelines. The fact that it outperforms the 9600XT while clocked 20% slower should also further convince you.


In the price range you have nvidia 5700LE's or 6200TC's.. and I do not think that they are on par with the x700.

5700XT vs x700
(There is no benchmark for the 5700LE but that's slower than the 5700XT, so use your imagination.

Geforce6200TC vs x700

Of course, if you were looking to maybe up your ante a little bit, you could find a 6600GT that would blow away the x700 :)
 
For under 100, you wont be getting much.
I have used a 9600xt and its still pretty good by modern gaming standards. I ran stock medium settings on BF2 with mine (not even overclocked).

That one has my thumbs up.
 
I heard that the new geforces 6600 with ddrII are available at 99 bucks...
dunno if it's true...

Edit

also I have to check if it is AGP...
 
You can find 9700 Pro and 9800 Pro cards for less then $100, they are great cards.
 
If you're willing to go used, pick up a 9800 pro. These go for $100, and are still great cards.
 
Malogato said:
The 9600XT is a previous core clocked higher than it originally was released, while I am sure you can further overclock the 9600XT, .. it's baseline is higher than that of the x700.
(It's harder to get a 50% overclock out of a 500mhz part than it is to get a 50% overclock out of a 400mhz part)
Click to expand...

I think they are both 110nm parts but the 9600xt uses low k and the x700s don't

that gpureview site you posted looks helpful
 
As I said to him in my reply, guys, "assuming he means new"..

Yes, there are plenty of deals to be had for used cards, but that's not related to the discussion. - Hell, if you shop around you can probably find a 6600GT for under $100.


As for the question about the x700 vs x700pro?

What you are looking at is the exact same core,
but one of them has GDDR3

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=98&card2=96
and is clocked slightly higher, but other than that, they are identical. Except the x700pro's are $130+

and for that kind of money, you can get a 6600GT
which supports PS 3.0 and VS 3.0
 
I would shell out a bit more money and get a 6600 gt, if you can't do that, then settle for the x700.
 
Just picked up a 256MB X700 Pro for $50. Can't beat that :D
EDIT : Oh yeah! I'm a limp gawd. WTF does that mean? I need to order some Enzyte like my good friend Bob? :p
 
dagon11985 said:
I would shell out a bit more money and get a 6600 gt, if you can't do that, then settle for the x700.
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He did spec $100 or less. - While $104 is close.. $130+ is not exactly 'near' $100


Just picked up a 256MB X700 Pro for $50. Can't beat that
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I would assume used, or under some refurb/rebate?
 
radeon 9800pro or 9800XT, best cards for the value. Well just hope they don't die on you.
 
needmorecarnitine said:
I think they are both 110nm parts but the 9600xt uses low k and the x700s don't

that gpureview site you posted looks helpful
Click to expand...


the x700 is
Transistor Count: 120 million
Manufacture Process: 110 nm
Pixel Pipelines: 8
Vertex Pipelines: 6
Texture Units: 8


the 9600xt
Transistor Count: 75 million
Manufacture Process: 130 nm
Pixel Pipelines: 4
Vertex Pipelines: 2
Texture Units: 4
 
If you want a new card for ~$100 choose between the x700 or a basic 6600, but agp versions cost a tad more and are ~$110. Refurbs or used ones are under $100 though. A used 9800pro is under $100 too. All good cards when on a budget.
 
9800 Pros appear from time to time 100$ new, that would be a great buy.
 
Definately try and find a 9800 pro/xt I'd say. Used to play Sim City 4 and The Sims 2 on it actually, and it worked quite well except with Sims 2 on high settings. I always really liked that card, just wanted a bit more muscle for the next gen games. Never had any trouble with it whatsoever, and it was at the top of the heap by quite a bit for that generation of gpu's.
 
I wouldn't shy away from a refurbed card from the egg. I've bought several and they've all worked great for me. 9800Pro refurbed is the way to go.
 
mbmadness said:
I would go with a 6600 or a 9800 Pro. They both have eight pixelpipe gpus.
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As does the x700 as you'd see from my example above.

the 9800pro is 3xx series. While a top performer of the 3xx series, it's yesterdays news.

Also, as mentioned, unless we are talking about used parts, you aren't getting a 9800pro for under $100
 
For a new card I'd say the Geforce 6600. If you don't mind used then I would recommend a made by ATI 9800 Pro over the vanilla 6600.
 
d4588 said:
For a new card I'd say the Geforce 6600. If you don't mind used then I would recommend a made by ATI 9800 Pro over the vanilla 6600.
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Don't get me wrong dude I'm not a Hardcore nvidia fan. the 6600 I'm talking about is a special one. It can overclock 2 6600GT speeds. It has DDR 2 instead of ddr like the regular 6600. It would Own and Pwn a 9800 Pro.
 
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