Advise: What cheap video card to buy?

[Bac0nYo]

Hello all, my aun't asked me to get a computer for her. I got in on the dell 400sc with 512ram and 2.8 for $348. I would like to get her a video card to use instead of the onbard 8meg video that it comes with. My aunt dosen't want to spend much more than 50 for a video card. What should I go with, newegg has the 128meg 9200se, mx4000 and 9550se for under 50. They want to be able to play games and just web surf and what not, I have never had any of these cards, any reccomendations would be appreciated. Will any of the cards run farcry playable? Thanks for your help.

Thanks,
Bac0yo

 

[MDE]

I wouldn't try playing Far Cry on any of those cards. You may be able to find a used GeForce4 Ti4200 for a bit more than $50 and it would be light years ahead of anything else in that price range.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bac0nYo
Hello all, my aun't asked me to get a computer for her. I got in on the dell 400sc with 512ram and 2.8 for $348. I would like to get her a video card to use instead of the onbard 8meg video that it comes with. My aunt dosen't want to spend much more than 50 for a video card. What should I go with, newegg has the 128meg 9200se, mx4000 and 9550se for under 50. They want to be able to play games and just web surf and what not, I have never had any of these cards, any reccomendations would be appreciated. Will any of the cards run farcry playable? Thanks for your help.

Thanks,
Bac0yo

Her MB does accept AGP, right?

No suggestions for a new card. Try FS/T . . . i just sold a Radeon 8500-128MB for $45 shipped . . . that'd be the MINIMUM for playing Far Cry (withOUT the eyecandy) . . . an ati 9600 is the minimum full-Dx9 card (and i guess you have to spend ~$100).

Tell her to 'save up'.
(or is it YOU that wants to play FC?)
:roll:

 

[Bac0nYo]

No, I don't want to play farcry, I just know how graphic intensive it is, so I wanted to get an idea of what these cards can handle. I have a ti4200 myself, only64 meg though. So the ti4200 is better than any of those cards?

Thanks,
Bac0nyo

 

[carlosd]

Originally posted by: MDE
I wouldn't try playing Far Cry on any of those cards. You may be able to find a used GeForce4 Ti4200 for a bit more than $50 and it would be light years ahead of anything else in that price range.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Bac0nYo
No, I don't want to play farcry, I just know how graphic intensive it is, so I wanted to get an idea of what these cards can handle. I have a ti4200 myself, only64 meg though. So the ti4200 is better than any of those cards?

Thanks,
Bac0nyo

Yep. Give her the Ti4200 for $50 and buy yourself a shiny new card.

- M4H

 

[Bac0nYo]

What card would you suggest I buy, saying I want to spend about 100?

Thanks,
Bac0nyo

 

[MDE]

Try suckering someone out of a used Radeon 9700 Pro, or a 9600 Pro\XT

 

[Delorian]

Originally posted by: MDE
Try suckering someone out of a used Radeon 9700 Pro, or a 9600 Pro\XT

Yep, that's your best bet. Also be sure to check the dell for an agp slot, they are notorious for having onboard AGP with no upgradeable slot

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bac0nYo
What card would you suggest I buy, saying I want to spend about 100?

Thanks,
Bac0nyo

I would really suggest you buy a 9700p . . . but i guess they are running ~$125-150 . . . the 9600p should be in your price range but is a slower card (but still faster than your current card and will have all the Dx9 features) . . .

. . . check the FS/T forum for a reliable trader who didn't o/c the crap out of it.

 

[gpgofast]

The 400SC has an 8X AGP slot.

 

[Marsumane]

Yea, give her your ti4200 and get yourself a 9600 (new) or save up more and get a 9700 variant for $30-$50 more.