Graphics Card to "get me by"

[zdecker]

I'm looking for a decent card to get me by until I lay down some real money next year for a good card. I would imagine there are some cheap cards out there that will perform better than the Intel Itegrated graphics that came with my new cpu. Would like to find something for 50-75 bux if I can, or is Intel Integrated graphics really not that bad(it claims to be 64mb.) Here are cpu specs if it matters:
P4 2.6ghz w/ hyper threading
800 mhz fsb
512mb ddr
120 gig hd
and the stellar Intel "extreme graphics"

 

[cleeve]

radeon 8500's consistantly go for about $50 on ebay right now. That's your best bet.
Awesome cards for that price.

There are really cheap GeforceFX 5200s around, but the cheapo ones are crippled with a 64 bit memory interface that makes them almost completely useless.


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Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[TKS]

You could pick up the RADEON 9000 Pro for 50-75...both the 128MB version and the 64MB version. Also, the RADEON 9200 w/ 128 is about 60 bucks...if you're going RADEON I'd go there. Plenty of cards with 128MB to choose from with ATI.

Nvidia...I'd go with the Geforce 4 TI 4200 w/ 64MB...it's about 80 bucks. Or you could go with the Geforce 3 TI 500 w/ 64MB for about 70 bucks (128MB version is around 90) or the Geforce 3 TI 200 w/ 128MB for about 73 bucks. I say pick up the TI 4200 w/ 64 for your best bet...unless you're set on 128MB in which I'd say go with the TI 500 for 90 bucks.

<font color=blue>Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel. </font color=blue>
<font color=green>Homer Simpson</font color=green>

TKS

 

[zdecker]

Will the cards some of you listed outperform the Intel Integrated graphics I have already? Will I notice a difference in the games I play?(BF1942,Unreal Tournament, etc)
Thanks

 

[TKS]

All of them will Happy gaming.

PS: Keep your eye peeled for -=[TKS]=- on Unreal Tournament.

<font color=blue>Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel. </font color=blue>
<font color=green>Homer Simpson</font color=green>

TKS

 

[cleeve]

Haha. Outperform?

Any of the cards we have listed will hand integrated intel graphics it's own a$$hole.

intel Integrated extreme graphics is a sad and pathetic joke.

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Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[TKS]

But Cleeve....Intel says they're 3><Tr3|\/|3...come on, they have to be good because Almighty Lord Intel says so.

Why the hell would they integrate 64MB of crap onto the mobo? That's my real question. Pathetic is right...the idea was pathetic when they drew it up. They must have had a pack of monkies working around the clock for that brainless-storm.


<font color=blue>Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel. </font color=blue>
<font color=green>Homer Simpson</font color=green>

TKS

 

[cleeve]

Yeah, all it does is drive the boards cost up. It certainly doesn't seem to help performance.

Oh, and I wanted to add, Geforce3 Tis are also very good cards for the price, and can also be found for about $50 on ebay.

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Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[TKS]

Love the GF3 Ti series. I have a Gainward GF3 Ti 200 w/ 128MB that I bought back a few years ago and I seriously considered not even upgrading my card at all this year. It played BF1942 beautifully, UT without a hitch, UT2K3 with decent performance...any and all games I tried it handled with ease. The only case I had to update to another card is that I was restless and I wanted to try out an ATI card. So my second winblows machine inherited the ti 200 and an Xtasy 9500 Pro took roost in my newest Windblows powerhouse. I took and bought a Geforce4 MX 440 w/ 64MB for 40 bucks at a computer show and slapped it in my Linux router. I probably should have kept the ti 200 longer...I really didn't need the 9500 Pro...but we must have toys to play with must'nt we?


<font color=blue>Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel. </font color=blue>
<font color=green>Homer Simpson</font color=green>

TKS

 

[zdecker]

Great, thanks guys. Now my local store has a good deal on a 5200 ultra, and i know(by reading the board) that's its not the best card, but it seems as though it would suffice till I buy a real gamers card. The 5200 ultra is $90, or they have the ATI 9000 or 9200 for a tad more. Decisions, decisions. Any thoughts?

 

[cleeve]

The 5200 Ultra is pretty good. I wouldn't bother with a 9000 or 9200 if you're in that price range.

Yeah, go with the 5200 Ultra. All of the Ultras have the 128 bit memory interface, so it'll be decent for the cash.



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Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[simwiz2]

A Ti4200 64MB can be bought for $80 online, and performs much better than ATi and nVidia low-end cards (5200, 9200, etc.) As long as you don't want to use AA or AF, the Ti4200 is a fast card for its price.

 

[smitbret]

Get a Ti4200 w/64mb. The ATIs you find for less than $100 are going to be the LE versions and won't perform nearly as well as the Ti4200 or the standard 8500.
-Brett