9500 non-pro 128mb for 140$ plus cheap video card for 50-70$

[N14]

I was looking to buy 2 video cards for a couple friends of mine.

One just needs a very cheap video card, something good for around 50-70$, but i'm not sure which one to get.

I also need to know if it's worth to buy a 9500 pro 128mb for around 140$.

Originally, they both wanted the same card, but after i hear one of them wanted to play games like Jedi Accademy and Galaxies, i'm trying to convince him to buy something a little better, expecially considering he also hinted at playing Half Life 2.

 

[blazerazor]

You can buy a new retail 9600pro for $160. It overclocks like mad and beat out only by the 9800 in the hl2 marks.
str8buy Nice deals. Name says it all.

 

[modedepe]

For 50-70 you could pick up either a radeon 8500/9100 or a ti4200 refurb from newegg.
And yes, it would be worth it to get a 9500 pro for $140. Actually, that price seems awful low if that is a new card you're talking about.

 

[crapito]

i basically agree with modedepe:

Radeon 8500LE = $63 from Newegg -> i'd get a new ATi 8500 over a refurb nVidia 4200
Radeon 9500 = $139 from Newegg
Radeon 9500 Pro = if you can get this for $140, do it! it's quite a bit better than the non-Pro

 

[Johnbear007]

Where are you going to get a 9500 pro for 140$ ? If you have a line on a deal like that let me know, I want one too.

As far as for the cheap card, I would get teh 63$ 8500. Great card for the money.

A 9600 is so so. I'v ebeen considering it for awhile but it just doesnt feel 'right' im going to hang on to my 8500 a little longer and see how it plays doom 3 (if it EVER releases) and HL2

 

[crapito]

Originally posted by: Johnbear007
...im going to hang on to my 8500 a little longer and see how it plays doom 3 (if it EVER releases) and HL2

i bet the 8500 with provide decent framerates with both games (especially HL2) but you will be missing all the cool DX9 features which is half the reason to play these games (especially Doom3).

 

[Blastman]

Unless you can mode the 9500NP to a 9700 I wouldn?t recommend that card for $140. A 9500NP is the same speed of a regular 9600 (325/200) which is about 30% slower than a 9600 pro.

A good 9600 pro can be had for about $150 ... ... Connect 9600pro 128MB --- very nice card for $152 ? ?
at Newegg