Graphics card upgrade...recommendations???

[Vascular]

Doesn't anyone read questions before answering?

He said he wants to spend less than the $100. Jeez, he's looking in the $50 range.

Actually where does he say under a $100 again???
I must have missed that.
I did miss the GT part on the one he linked.
All the cards he shows are in the $100 range.
But for not much more he could have a GT
AOpen 90.05210.616 Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card

Personally I would take a newegg refurb than any ebay anything.
REFURBISHED: Leadtek A6600 GT TDH Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card

 

[cleeve]

Actually where does he say under a $100 again???
I must have missed that.

His last two posts:

"Ok, I've decided to seriously cheap out and get 256MB RAM and Ati 9600 Pro new or 9800 Pro for ~$40 Ebay....We'll see what I can get "

and

"128 MB Nvidia GeForce FX 5700 Ultra AGP Video Card DDR2 for $50...good idea?"


When he started he was in the $110 and below range where an X1600 and 6600 are decent buys, so the 6600 GT was a bit out of his league.

But if you're going to go refurb, you might as well save even more money and go ebay, IMHO...

 

[Vascular]

Yeah I guess your right.

Still doesnt make sense to spend money on that system, and talk about building a new one in a couple of months. Unless something is broken.

With newegg refurb you get 15 days to see if it works. Ebay if it doesnt work you get to see if you bought from a decent person.

 

[cleeve]

Yeah, but refurb you're guaranteed one of the two:

1. It was at one time broken, and they may or may not have fixed it, or

2. It was returned by an idiot

Neither option is too wonderful. And if you buy on ebay from someone with a great user rating, they're not out to screw anybody.

Both refurb and ebay have their downsides...

 

[unbiased4u]

Well, I didn't want to spend too much....it would be a waste..I'm trying to play the newest NFS that my friend gave to me for free...

So I shouldn't spend money on the Gfx card? and not play anything new for 6 months? Or get an Xbox? nah...

So confused on what to do....

 

[pauldh]

An XP1800+ will prevent you from playing NFS Most Wanted at higher than med/low detail levels anyway. So don't spend too much on a card. used 9700 pro would be great. 6600GT or X1600 pro even better. That said read on for my recomendation.

A cheap used GF4 ti4200 would be all you need for Most wanted on your rig. You should be able to find one of those used for $30. My son is playing it just fine at 800x600 and fairly low details on a Xp1700+ @ Xp2000+ speeds and a GF4 ti4200, but with 1GB of RAM. But it plays very smooth once you tweak the settings. I'm thinking 256MB is going to make it studder some, so good idea on adding some ram.

 

[cleeve]

Pauls right, but if you're going to spend the $30 on a used card, spend the extra $10 and get a 9700/9800 PRO at least. The difference will be phenomenal.

 

[unbiased4u]

Ok guys thank you all I'll update my sig when I get the new GFx card

 

[pauldh]

I fully agree, that would be $10-20 well spent. Wasn't thinking a used 9700 pro/9800 pro was that cheap.

 

[unbiased4u]

I can't find a 9800 Pro for that little...um one more question...how much of an improvement is the Ti4200 over the mx-4000? I found one for $30...

 

[Vascular]

Not much of an improvment, but more frames none the less.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/12/29/vga_charts_iii/page4.html

If I remember correctly you should be about the same speed as the GF4 MX 440

 

[unbiased4u]

:? I was hoping for more....