Video Cards

I have an almost ancient PC now with a ATI Radeon x800 Pro card and that is just murder on my game selection. My mother seems to think that almost no games require a better card, but she is an idiot. If someone can help me find the best card for under 100 dollars that would be great, also it has to be in PCI Express. This card has to last me probably another 2 or 3 years. I've got this one that doesn't look to bad and is the highest rated on site. http://www.amazon.com/Radeon-3850-256MB-GDDR3-Pcie/dp/tech-data/B000ZHB9FI/ref=de_a_smtd?ie=UTF8&m=A2YLYLTN75J8LR

If you spend about 170 you can get a really decent card, the nvidia 8800gt which will last you a long time and benefit from Nvidia's new drivers for the 8800's that offer better optimized drivers and also get directx 11 software upgrade from Nvidia when it's released.

If you spend about 170 you can get a really decent card, the nvidia 8800gt which will last you a long time and benefit from Nvidia's new drivers for the 8800's that offer better optimized drivers and also get directx 11 software upgrade from Nvidia when it's released.

Hmm sounds good but 170 is quite up there, I'd have to wait till May for that, you think it would still be up there.

just after New Years it should be around 130 I think.

just after New Years it should be around 130 I think.

ooo that's definitively better, a good thing is I think i will be getting a job because my sister's best friend is a the manager of a Cinema-Cafe so i think i gots connections now.

Sweet!

I'm with Veggie on this.. Hold out until you can purchase a little better card.

I am currently running an 8800GTS and have no complaints at all. It runs everything I've thrown at it at the highest settings.

If you're lucky you can get a 8600GT 512MB for about 99 dollar's from Best Buy. I run CSS with everything high at 1024x768 Resolution and I usually get capped 60 fps. But if you can wait you can get a 8800 like Itch suggested, it'll last you quite a while.

Just make sure you have a 600W PSU if you want to upgrade every few years because the power demand for cards is getting larger *cough* Nvidia Geforce 280GTX plus they're also getting fatter *cough* Nvidia Geforce 280GTX again.

Sadly I only have a 300W PSU so I'm stuck with my 8600 untill I get off my lazy ass to rewire a more powerful one into my computer.

If you're lucky you can get a 8600GT 512MB for about 99 dollar's from Best Buy. I run CSS with everything high at 1024x768 Resolution and I usually get capped 60 fps. But if you can wait you can get a 8800 like Itch suggested, it'll last you quite a while.

 

Just make sure you have a 600W PSU if you want to upgrade every few years because the power demand for cards is getting larger *cough* Nvidia Geforce 280GTX plus they're also getting fatter *cough* Nvidia Geforce 280GTX again.

 

Sadly I only have a 300W PSU so I'm stuck with my 8600 untill I get off my lazy ass to rewire a more powerful one into my computer.

8600 wont last long at all. the problem is its a first gen dx10 card, and on the lower end. if he diciedes to ever upgrade to vista and play dx10 he will be fucked. so its not future proof at all.

also, to have a decent rig you would want a 850+ psu by a name brand. antec's are good, as are tt and coolermaster (i got a coolermaster 1250) a good powersupply means that you can overclock more, upgrade more, and your parts last longer.

as for your 100 dollar video card. i suggest you go on ebay and get a 8800. you can find an 8800 for 100 dollars easy. "

my .02

dang 1250 watt psu thats extreme