Best bang for the buck gaming card?

[HockeyZ]

My system is a bit outdated and was thinking about updating my graphics card so I can run ABP a little smoother. Was wondering what everyone thought the best bang for the buck card was.

My current specs are:

-Overclocked x1950 (695 core speed 950mhz ram) ***guessing on speeds but around there.
-E6300 C2D @ 2.6ghz
-965G-DS3 mobo
-4gigs of ddr2800 ram.

I am not looking to drop to much cash as I plan to rebuild a full computer soon. Just want something that will up my performance by a good bit but not break the bank. Would like something around 50 bucks if possible.

Thanks!

 

[happy medium]

50$?

Go with a used card. 8800gt would be nice for about 65$.

 

[HockeyZ]

Sorry totally ment to say I have no problem with used.

 

[Rifter]

$50 aint going to get you much, a used 8800 series card is a good idea.

 

[Keysplayr]

Sorry totally ment to say I have no problem with used.

Used 9600GT perhaps? 9600GSO? 8800GT all measurably faster than your x1950.

 

[Markfw]

Not selling

NO SALES OUTSIDE FS/FT
AT Mod
Gillbot

 

[happy medium]

4650 1gb, 128 bit, ddr3 facory overclocked to 600 core for 55$, or 45$ AR, is the best you will do new.

Much faster then the 1900 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131360

BUT , I would take Markfw900's offer above.

I wasn't selling, just reinforcing the prices for 8800 GT's, and what they are capable of.
Markfw900
Anandtech Moderator

 

[HockeyZ]

graphic cards have gotten so confusing. Is the 8800 512 card the GTS? Also the 8800gts is better than the above linked 1gb card?????

 

[tweakboy]

A GTX 460 with 1GB ram would go great with your system. Its only 200 dollars,,, good luck with your decision any other question let us know. Thanks and gg and gb

 

[RussianSensation]

8800GTS 512mb is a good card - make sure not to get the 8800GTS 640mb since that's slower. Slightly faster than 8800GTS 512mb, you are looking at 9800GTX+, GTS250 1GB or 4850 1GB. I would say a used 4870 1GB is the best bang for the buck videocard.

 

[Dark Shroud]

A GTX 460 with 1GB ram would go great with your system. Its only 200 dollars,,, good luck with your decision any other question let us know. Thanks and gg and gb

The GTX 460 1GB version is $230. The cheaper less powerful 768mb GTX 460 is $200.

If you got GTX get the 1GB version, no contest.

 

[HockeyZ]

is there a database anywhere of say 3dmark scores for different cards? It would really help me wrap my head around the different models and prices.

 

[happy medium]

is there a database anywhere of say 3dmark scores for different cards? It would really help me wrap my head around the different models and prices.

3d mark is not accurate.

The 4650 I linked for 50$ is 2x faster then your card.
Do you want to spend more? Give me a price and I'll tell you the fastest card for the price.

What is the game you said? ABP? Whats that?

 

[eggrolls]

is there a database anywhere of say 3dmark scores for different cards? It would really help me wrap my head around the different models and prices.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/...uality/3DMark06-v1.1.0-3DMark-Score,1829.html

 

[HockeyZ]

Something I am noticing is some of these cards are PCI-E x16 2.0

Do I need to have a mobo that supports 2.0? Mine is pretty old so i doubt it would.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

Edit: PCI-E is backwards compatible. Thus the newer spec (2.0, 2.1) will work with older boards.


NO SALES OUTSIDE FS/FT
AT Mod
Gillbot

 

[HockeyZ]

so according those benchmarks on tomshardware the HD 2900 does 20,000 marks!? My x1950 only does 7,000.

edit: I dunno why that page says 20,000 marks on 3dmark06 when I do some googling it says it does about 11,000-12,000 which still alot better than my 1950.

 

[edplayer]

I think Fry's has a 9800gt that is $40 after rebate currently. Slickdeals is down so I can't find it

 

[Gillbot]

$50 aint going to get you much, a used 8800 series card is a good idea.

Used 9600GT perhaps? 9600GSO? 8800GT all measurably faster than your x1950.

This is your best advice.

 

[betasub]

so according those benchmarks on tomshardware the HD 2900 does 20,000 marks!? My x1950 only does 7,000.

edit: I dunno why that page says 20,000 marks on 3dmark06 when I do some googling it says it does about 11,000-12,000 which still alot better than my 1950.

Look more closely. The 20k+ score is for 2 cards in Crossfire. On a quad core system. Single card score is somewhere around 12k.

 

[HockeyZ]

ok so at this point it looks like its between these:


4650 1gb, 128 bit, ddr3 (I couldnt get that link earlier to load but I found a few searching newegg.) for around $60

9800gt for $70 after discount

8800gt for about $60 on ebay.

which of these performs the best? Which would you choose? Should I be looking at others?

 

[HockeyZ]

also something else I thought I mite mention. I believe I have a crossfire board in storage. Would just getting another x1950 for dirt cheap and running in crossfire give a good performance boost?

Also ABP = All Points Bulletin, which is the game I am trying to get acceptable fps in.

 

[Avalon]

Might be able to score a used Radeon 4850 for $70, that would clean up shop.

As to your other question, I wouldn't bother crossfiring two X1950s. You'd probably get much better performance with just a single 4850, and wouldn't be running such an outdated feature set.

 

[Dribble]

I'd be careful about buying used. 8800GT's do die eventually. Sure you might do well and get one that lasts forever, but equally it might die in 6 months.

 

[happy medium]

ok so at this point it looks like its between these:


4650 1gb, 128 bit, ddr3 (I couldnt get that link earlier to load but I found a few searching newegg.) for around $60

9800gt for $70 after discount

8800gt for about $60 on ebay.

which of these performs the best? Which would you choose? Should I be looking at others?

The 4650 card I linked is gone sorry.

9800gt after discount is a very good deal. I'd get that.


Edit: JUST came accross 2 evga 8800gts 512 mb cards for 52$ each.
YOU MUST JUMP ON THAT! Even used thats a GREAT deal.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2097987