Best Graphics Card for under $80 USD

[Michillin212]

Hi, I am looking to build a new computer. For the Processor I think i am getting the AMD Athlon x3 3.0 ghz 440 (I hope thats the correct name) I am still deciding on the mother board but i am totally stumped on the Graphics Card. I was thinking about the Nvidia 220 gt but found out its not that great, so i found the 240 gt but found out thats a bad deal for the money. So I started looking at ATI cards and got 5x more confused. Basically, I need a card for around or under $80 that will let me edit 720p video (with Cyberlink Powerdirecter), use TurboCad without interruptions and lag, and I am hoping to learn c++ or some other langauge but i don't think the graphics card effects that in any way (at least I hope it doesn't). Also, I need it to have HDMI out because I will be using this on a 40" 1080p screen. I don't plan on gaming much if that helps. Thanks for any help!

 

[wa1]

maybe this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161315

 

[jeffredo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121354

The GT 240 would be a bit faster in gaming than an HD 4670. While you said that isn't a big concern of yours why get a weaker card for the same price all other things being equal? That said I do have experience with an HD 4670 (built a PC for my sister) and its a fine little card.

There are better deals that would end up being $80 or less, but you'd have to go through a rebate process to arrive at that price. Is that an issue for you or would you rather have a less than $80 before any rebate?

 

[Michillin212]

Wow, Thanks for the fast replys! I don't mind the rebates but I probably won't buy the parts for a few weeks and by then the special deals and rebates will be over. I have been reading around and found that GPU's don't effect video editing very much. So would i be better off buying a cheaper GPU but getting a quad core processor instead of a triple core?

 

[nforce4max]

If you are looking for good deals but willing to take the risk of buying second hand then there is quite a few decent choices. 3870/8800gt/9800gt and if you are very lucky a 4830/50. 3870 $56, x1900xt $51, 9800gt 1gb $80, 8800gtx $32, and a 6800gt $11.

 

[Michillin212]

So, if I get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161321 i could still edit hd video? And if I get this CPU (I know this isn't the right place for it but...) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702 My editing experience should be easier, as in little lag? And finally would i still be able to produce edited video in multiple formats from cyberlink? Thank you for all of everyones help!

 

[jeffredo]

Actually, you can play games with an HD 5570 at modest settings. Its more or less about as fast as an HD 4670.

 

[jyjjy]

For the processor you may want to consider a Phenom II x2 and a motherboard that allows you to unlock the other cores. From what I've read the odds of getting a functional quad core out of it is very high.

 

[Michillin212]

Wow! Thank you for everyones help and in such short time! I think i will go with the 5570 and the x4 635! Once again thanks for everyones help!

 

[jyjjy]

Well of course it's a matter of luck, the chances are pretty decent though supposedly. The same applies for a x3 chip; get a board that allows you to try to unlock the 4th core.

 

[Michillin212]

Best answer selected by michillin212.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey