Best Vid card for under $150 for use with The Sims 2

[CrackRabbit]

Im in the process of rebuilding my GFs system, she isnt a heavy gamer and about the only thing she plays regularly is The Sims and its numerous expansions.
Current Specs are
Duron 1.6
ECS KT333 mobo
512mb ram
Geforce 1 DDR

She is very interested in buying the Sims 2 when it comes out later this quarter and i know the Geforce DDR isnt going to cut it.
So what would be my best option for under $150 that should be able to handle Sims 2 without too much trouble...


Thanks,
CrackRabbit

 

[Blastman]

The Sapphire 9600 (325/200) 128MB is nice for $95.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-305&depa=0

Higher up the Gigabyte 9600pro (400/300) is $140 and a Transcend 9600XT (500/300) is $149.

 

[SneakyStuff]

sapphire 9600, silent, cheap, good bang for the buck

EDIT: And with the $50 bucks you save, why not just get an Athlon XP 1800+ for $50 bucks on newegg?

 

[CrackRabbit]

Thanks Blastman, that 9600 will do perfectly!

as for the 1800+ there isnt any need, i could just "unlock" the duron if she needs more speed.



CrackRabbit

 

[Schadenfroh]

ECS + VIA, poor girl

 

[elkinm]

Yes the 9600 Pro is the best option but do make sure to get the Pro version not just the regular 9600. There is a big difference between them

 

[Jayczar]

These run prety good.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Jayczar
These run prety good.

True. In DX8 games they are comparable to the 9600XT but in DX9 (in nVidia fashion) it falls behind again.

I would put in another vote for a 9600 (preferably Pro).

-Por

 

[Pete]

$140 for The Sims?! Does that game actually require that much 3D power? Why not just slap in a <=$50 GF3/9100?

 

[SneakyStuff]

yeesh pete! its the sims....2! get with the times!

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: Pete
$140 for The Sims?! Does that game actually require that much 3D power? Why not just slap in a <=$50 GF3/9100?

Hell yes, I want her to be happy with playing it not stuck with skipped frames and low resolution...
Take a look at these Screenshots and you will see why she needs that much 3d HP, and besides if i have friends over i can easily turn it into a BF1942 or UT2004 box.


CrackRabbit

 

[Pete]

Recommended video cards (and the more video memory the better):

* ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
* Nvidia Geforce 4 or FX series cards

Whoa. OK, I guess you're looking at way more than a GF3, then.

Edit: Gah, wrong forum tags.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: Pete
$140 for The Sims?! Does that game actually require that much 3D power? Why not just slap in a <=$50 GF3/9100?

Hell yes, I want her to be happy with playing it not stuck with skipped frames and low resolution...
Take a look at these Screenshots and you will see why she needs that much 3d HP, and besides if i have friends over i can easily turn it into a BF1942 or UT2004 box.


CrackRabbit

bf1942? ecs/via/duron? lmao.

 

[Blastman]

Originally posted by: Pete
$140 for The Sims?! Does that game actually require that much 3D power? Why not just slap in a <=$50 GF3/9100?

That?s was I thinking. I was going to suggest a 9600SE. I suggested a regular 9600 because for what she?s going to be playing that should be tons fast and it will be more future proof because of the extra headroom. If she really wants to spend $150, then by all means get a 9600XT.

 

[CrackRabbit]

bf1942? ecs/via/duron? lmao.[/quote]

Dont laugh, im using a similar system with my Radeon 9500 pro until i can get my A64 system put togther, it runs fine 1024x768 everything turned up, no AA.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
bf1942? ecs/via/duron? lmao.

Dont laugh, im using a similar system with my Radeon 9500 pro until i can get my A64 system put togther, it runs fine 1024x768 everything turned up, no AA.[/quote]

i'm still laughing. while "runs fine" is of course subjective, it runs like crap on my p4 2.0b/9700 pro as well as my wifes 1800+ xp/9600p. i don't think that was a well-coded game at all. seems cpu liimted rather than video.

runs decent with my 2.6c with 9700p/9800p/5900 as well as my wife's new 2500+ barton (@ 3200+) which now has the 9700p.