Whats the best cheap video card?

Enix · May 2005

I had a geforce4 ti 4200, but its like all messed up, so im gettin a new one. Anyone know of a nice 128meg videocard, that is fairly cheap? Im talkin about one that can handle HL2 and 3DSM with no problem but keep nice and smooth.... Anyone?

[edit]

Ahhh, my friend just showed me one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102404

any good?

KDR_11k · May 2005

When you're working with 3d avoid ATi, they suck for that. The Geforce 6600 series are upposed to be a lot of bang for the buck.

oXYnary · May 2005

If you are ok with just 128 megs, the 6600GT series should be fine.

(Stay away from the gigabyte brand. The heatsink is held on by thermal tape vs a clamp and thermal paste method {I found out the hard way

)

poopinmymouth · May 2005

I have the plain vanilla 6800 and it rocks my socks. Was only 200 bux too.

iMag · May 2005

if you're going to get a 6600, go for the gt's much better

ElysiumGX · May 2005

[ QUOTE ]
When you're working with 3d avoid ATi, they suck for that.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've used a variety of 3d apps and games with my 9800 Pro ATI card using the latest Omega drivers and have never had problems. Smooth with HL2. My girl uses a 9600 w/ Omega drivers and no problems. Good price and performance, I highly recommend it. And my brother uses an 8500 with several games like Call Of Duty as well as using Wings3D, Blender, and Gimp...no complaint from him. And aren't XBOX360 and GameCube (possibly Revolution) using ATI for their consoles?

Make sure you have a good amount of RAM.

eXpendabLe · May 2005

Yeah, my last card was a 9800 pro and it was very solid. Should be fairly inexpensive nowadays.

JKMakowka · May 2005

Don't get a Ati, they suck with Linux drivers (although they are getting better)

6600GT would be my recommodation too... they start at about 150 here in Germany.

AstroZombie · May 2005

I bought this card a few months ago. It was about $40 more then so this is a great price, IMO. Really nice card.

Enix · May 2005

I would go all out and get a kickass one like that, but my budget is under 60 :S.

ironbearxl · May 2005

[ QUOTE ]
I have the plain vanilla 6800 and it rocks my socks. Was only 200 bux too.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, I just got one of these too and I can play Doom 3 smoothly w/ 2xQ Antialiasing and 16x Anisotropy @ 1024x768, and it looks killer!

It's the 256 pci-express version btw.

KeyserSoze · May 2005

Your budget is under 60, as in 60 American Dollars? Hmm... anything you get isn't going to be much of an improvement over a GF4 ti4200; in fact, you'd probably have a hard time finding another ti4200 for that price.

Newegg has a 128MB 9600Pro for $76 (which would probably end up being more than $80 after sales tax and shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...Submit=Property

Here's a list of cards they have in your price range ($50-65):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...Submit=Property

Not many options as you can see. I don't think I'd recommend any of those cards found in the second link. The performance of the X300se or GeForce 6200TC (the low-end of ATI and Nvidia's current generation) might be comparable to the 9600pro, but I really don't know. Look for benchmarks on Tomshardware.com or a similar site.

[edit] Oops, the x300 and GF 6200 seem to only be available in PCI express, so I guess you can scratch those options.

ElysiumGX · May 2005

I can sell you a lightbulb. If you run some electricity it'll shine brightly for hours of visual entertainment. Benchmarks show it scores higher than a GeForce 4.

Enix · May 2005

Hows this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814270004

I like it, its cheap, and its sexy....hmm...there are some nice choices here, im plaining to get a new system within a few months, im gonna ebay a bunch of my crap.

Enix · May 2005

Oh nvm, im im love.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121511

KDR_11k · May 2005

Ati has weak OpenGL support. It works well enough for games but applications will usually screw up. Of course, it depends on luck since a few people can run all apps without problems with Ati cards.

With 60 bucks I'd continue saving and buy once you can afford something worthwile. With a low-end card you'll just end up having to upgrade again next year.

Shouldn't a GF4 be good enough to play HL2?

Ctrl+Awesome · May 2005

what would you guys recomend for a duel screen vid. card?
PCI-E or non.

I dont understand how the first card Enix posted says 256 DDR memory but its only 128MB.

Rick Stirling · May 2005

If you want to spend under 60, I'd advise you to check out Ebay. Lots of solid advice on here, and you can use that to hunt for a bargain.

Enix · May 2005

Oh trust me i looked. Believe it or not, newegg is cheaper, and all of there stuff is either new or refurbished. All of the cards on ebay where $10-$30 more then they where on newegg, I was surpised o_O.

Scott Ruggels · May 2005

[quote
I've used a variety of 3d apps and games with my 9800 Pro ATI card using the latest Omega drivers and have never had problems. Smooth with HL2. My girl uses a 9600 w/ Omega drivers and no problems. Good price and performance, I highly recommend it. And my brother uses an 8500 with several games like Call Of Duty as well as using Wings3D, Blender, and Gimp...no complaint from him. And aren't XBOX360 and GameCube (possibly Revolution) using ATI for their consoles?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well FYI Maya works with ATI cards, but not well. The Artisan and 3D Paint tools don't work all that well.

Scott

HumbleEgo · May 2005

Well, I know this thread is about cheap cards. But, I've trying to wangle my wife into getting me this card for my birthday. Right now I just have the NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 that came with my VAIO a few years ago. It runs Max ok, but really chugs when I start doing more complicate scenes with lots of models.

What do ya guys think? Is this model a good buy or perhaps you can suggest something better for the dollar?

Slayerjerman · May 2005

I have an eVGA.com brand 6800GT 256mb (agp) i bought last october for $400...best damn card i ever purchased.

I would recommend staying away from Gigabyte & Chaintech brands, but thats just me.

Enix · May 2005

I dunno if anyone showed this one, but this is my fav so far

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814164029

Its cheap, has good reviews and its an nvidia... thoughts?

KeyserSoze · May 2005

[ QUOTE ]
Its cheap, has good reviews and its an nvidia... thoughts?

[/ QUOTE ]

Eck... I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10 foot pole. If I were you, I'd avoid any of the FX series of cards like the plague. Compared to your Ti4200, a FX5200 would be very disappointing.

Enix · May 2005

Why is that? :S I dont wanna make a bad buy, but i really dont ahve much of a choice, my gf4 ti4200 always freezes up on me. Whats wrong with this new one :S?

oXYnary · May 2005

[ QUOTE ]

I dont understand how the first card Enix posted says 256 DDR memory but its only 128MB.

[/ QUOTE ]

It means its 256bit bandwidth versus 128bit. Basically how big the memory bandwidth is. Thats what turned me off the 6600 series. Its only 128 bit, so your gpu is being limited by that memory bandwidth.
--

Enix

I believe the 5200 scores lower than the Ti4200 in some benchmarks.

In fact, look at this chart!
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-05.html

Enix · May 2005

Ok, i think i found a winner, its a bit over th price range, but im willing to pay $40 of it, cause thats all i got XD. Is it worth it?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130207

I cant go SUPER high priced, like i said, im on a tight budget. Will it stand up to my GF4 at all?

KDR_11k · May 2005

Mid-range Geforce FX... I'd read a few reviews first (product name + review in Google).

oXYnary · May 2005

Again, the geforce 4200 still comes out on top (look at the benchmark link I have above Enix). Except one or two dx9 games, and not even that much!

Can you repurchase another 4200?

Enix · May 2005

I dont see them on newegg. If i could i probally would

.

Slayerjerman · May 2005

eBay maybe then?

Honestly I'd recommend a GF 6600 128mb if you can afford it.

EarthQuake · May 2005

Yeah dont waste your money buying a $60 video card unless you want to keep buying a new $60 card every 4-5 months. I have a 6600GT and got it for $185 and couldnt be happier. Also if you can find a cheap 9800 PRO that would be a pretty good deal too, i think you can get a 128meg version for about $125

Enix · May 2005

Well would the last one i posted be ok for low poly modeling and somewaht new games for now? Untill i can buy a nice card down the road. I dont think this is going to be permanent, i can always save up and get a new one later, i dont need a high end card atm, just something to model with and play CS. My needs aren't extensive. Anyone have any experience with this card? Ya think its stable?

[I have no knowledge of videocards, i have used a geforce3 ti500 for the past 3 years, and if this card will do a bit better then that card, i will be happy

.

oXYnary · May 2005

I thought you said you had a geforce 4 4200 at the beggining? Now its a geforce 3 500?

As the benchmarks show for the 4200. The 4200 will still beat it (the FX you listed). Ya, you will be able to play I believe. But dont expect any real frame improvement. Especially since the fx series in the source engine, dx9 is turned off by default since it shader engine is so bad.

Enix · May 2005

Well i had a geforce 3 ti500. Then my friend upgraded and gave my his geforce4 ti4200. But it kept freezing on me every freaking second. I liked my gf3 better because it was stable and barly ever froze.

Well anyway, I told my bud to hold up on buying anything cause im just gonna save up for a bit, i can use this damn onboard for a few more months :P. If i could get this geforce4 a new fan im sure the problems will stop but i cant find one taht would fit...

Enix · May 2005

Ok, new plan. Im not getting a new card, from listening to you guys i have decided to keep my card and just try to find a nice fan for it, i bought this fan and kickass heatsink for it:

Only cost 18 bucks.

Synista · May 2005

Voodoo2's a good card.

Whats the best cheap video card?

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