I just checked out some cards and their seems to be so many options...Im selling my system now to build a new one and the one im selling has a radeon 8500 so I hope to get something better than that. I was looking at some cards but I dont really know what what performance wise. I dont want to spend more than $120 though...any suggestions? I like ATI and my 8500 has been great but if nVidia has a better deal I wouldnt mind ditching ATI.
![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
Video Card on a Budget
- Thread starter vegetash
- Start date
HarryPleasure
Limp Gawd
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2003
- Messages
- 412
I'd look into the Radeon 9600 series. Any but the 'se' version. The non-pro rings in around 100 on newegg, and if you can scrounge up 140, than you could spring for the pro version.
goto newegg.com
clecik on "shop by category" then "video cards" then put the most you want to spend in their excellent search engine then sort by "highest price" voila! series of cards to look at. (I wish other internet sales companies had this easy of search engine (PM me of others if you know of them and they have great reputations as newegg does)
anyway, for around $102 -5 you can get a 9600. Avoid the SE and EZ versions of ATI cards as they are weak editions of the cards. Avoid the XT for nvidia as it is the opposite of ATI's XT, as they are the weak versions of the cards.
Now if you can pump up to $150 ish you have much better selections.
There are several 9600 Pros to choose from. Also, if you do decide to go nvidia go with the 5700 over the 5600 as they are better cards ( think roughly on par +/- with 9600 pro)
NOTE: if you want to overclock the gpu, most of the standard 9600's do not have active cooling. (This could be a plus if you want a quieter rig tho.) so if overclock definately go Pro.
As for the 256mb version of the standard 9600 - dont bother it is not worht the price difference between it and the 128mb 9600. (Seems to be little/no performance difference btween the two, from what I've seen the 256mb memory cannot be overclocked while the 128mb can.)
Good luck hope this helps...
clecik on "shop by category" then "video cards" then put the most you want to spend in their excellent search engine then sort by "highest price" voila! series of cards to look at. (I wish other internet sales companies had this easy of search engine (PM me of others if you know of them and they have great reputations as newegg does)
anyway, for around $102 -5 you can get a 9600. Avoid the SE and EZ versions of ATI cards as they are weak editions of the cards. Avoid the XT for nvidia as it is the opposite of ATI's XT, as they are the weak versions of the cards.
Now if you can pump up to $150 ish you have much better selections.
There are several 9600 Pros to choose from. Also, if you do decide to go nvidia go with the 5700 over the 5600 as they are better cards ( think roughly on par +/- with 9600 pro)
NOTE: if you want to overclock the gpu, most of the standard 9600's do not have active cooling. (This could be a plus if you want a quieter rig tho.) so if overclock definately go Pro.
As for the 256mb version of the standard 9600 - dont bother it is not worht the price difference between it and the 128mb 9600. (Seems to be little/no performance difference btween the two, from what I've seen the 256mb memory cannot be overclocked while the 128mb can.)
Good luck hope this helps...
I'm starting to feel like a broken record today. 
Anyways, this is only my opinion but;
If you can stretch about $170 the BFG FX5900nu has probably got the best price/performance ratio right now. But that is a bit of a stretch from $120. Otherwise, I would look at the 9600 series. As far as Nvidia cards go in that price range you are looking at, the only thing worth recomending is an older GF4X00 series card, and you will be happier with a 9600 I think.
e_t
Anyways, this is only my opinion but;
If you can stretch about $170 the BFG FX5900nu has probably got the best price/performance ratio right now. But that is a bit of a stretch from $120. Otherwise, I would look at the 9600 series. As far as Nvidia cards go in that price range you are looking at, the only thing worth recomending is an older GF4X00 series card, and you will be happier with a 9600 I think.
e_t
monkeysofthebutt
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2002
- Messages
- 1,377
I can hook you up with my old 9600 pro for $120, pm me if your interested