Best sub-$50 card, PCI-E 16x

[dadoph]

My old X700 card is dying and I need to find a sub $50 replacement quick. Basic home use; light gaming. One son plays MS Flight Sim and complains about speed, but that's about it. Any suggestions?

Thanks all.

 

[programmer]

Looks like after rebates, the 8500GT or 2600PRO are right around $50 (assuming PCIe interface), but not sure how much better they will perform than the X700. I think the 8600GT is supposed to be best-bang-for-the-buck, but generally costs about $75, again after rebates. Newegg has a bunch of 8600GTs for $74.99 AR, some with free shipping.

BTW, Tom's Hardware has a VGA Guide that includes MS Flight Sim as one of the benchmarks. You can compare different cards for different resolutions.

 

[s44]

2600XT for $55AR.

Big drop-off after that.

 

[happy medium]

With no rebates the 7600gs performs best with Flight simulator sim. The game seems to like Nvidia hardware.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/...7&model2=858&chart=291

7600gs for 56.00$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814134003

 

[dadoph]

What do you think about this one? X1650 card:
Sapphire X1650

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: dadoph
My old X700 card is dying and I need to find a <sub $50 replacement quick. Basic home use; light gaming. One son plays MS Flight Sim and complains about speed, but that's about it. Any suggestions?

Thanks all.

The 1650 is out of stock till Feb 11.
It's no faster then the 7600gs.

 

[programmer]

Interesting how the 2600XT trounces the 7600GS in most of the games benchmarks, except Flight Simulator. I wonder why?

 

[crisium]

Looks like that 7600GS is your best bet.