Need some quick advice on cheaper video cards!

P

paco

Gawd
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Feb 3, 2003
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I know it's been asked a thousand times but... Whats the most solid card you can get in the $50 range today?

I'm looking this one http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-245R&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE right now.

Any better suggestions? The machine I'm building it for will be used for word processing, internet, and some kids games. Nothing real graphic intensive, but I want to was something powerful enough if the kids get into some bigger games. BTW, the kids are under 10 right now.
Thanks!
 
That card you have web linked looks fine to me for a 10yr old.

Without playing any intense 3d games any new graphics card in the $50.00 range will get the job done for basic word processing but ideally Matrox cards like the G400~G550 series are marketed & designed very well for workstation computer use. They lack luster in games but offer unprecedented 2d performancewith crisp text on screen and usually decent dual monitor support.

If moderate gaming is a necessity then you will want at least a card like you have weblinked or something like a used Geforce3/Ti200/Ti500. Maybe a new Radeon 9600SE around $70ish. Not great but DirectX9 compatible gets the job doen & it can play most all games out there right now....not super fast at high resolutions but playable at 1024x768/800x600 in most cases.

I'd recommend a used G400 upt to G550 from Matrox, a used Geforce 3 series Nvidia card, or a new simple Radeon series card like you have linked or a plain jane 9600SE for what you are looking for.

Good luck in your decision making : )
 
Thanks for the input. I've got an old Kyro II card that I might just toss in it for now to save a little money. It was also a great card for me, for the first 2 or 3 years I had it.
 
If you're willing to go up into the $70 range then a 128 bit Radeon 9550 like this one is a lot more future-proof. It has full DirectX9 support and can be easily overclocked into a Radeon 9600 using ATITool. The 128 bit Radeon 9550s are really excellent deals if you don't want to spend much money but would like a card which will last for a while.
 
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