Best Video Card for about $150?

[BehindEnemyLines]

I'm a bit behind the video card market. Maybe someone can recommend me the BEST video card I can get for about $150. I've AGP 8x and also PCI-Express x4 (and x1) according to the manual. Brand and overclocking doesn't really matter as I'm not too interested in overclocking. My mobo manual indicates these PCI-E are compatible (tested):

ASUS X300SE
ASUS X550GE
ASUS 5900
ELSA X850
ELSA X55
ELSA 6200
ELSA 6600
ELSA X700 PRO
ELSA 6600GT
Gigabyte X700
Gigabyte X800
MSI X800XL
MSI 5750
MSI X600
Nvidia 7800GT
Nvidia 7800GTX
Winfast 6800GT

 

[keeleysam]

What motherboard do you have?

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

Forgot to include that: Biostar PT880 PRO AC7.

 

[Munky]

Does this board also have a PCI-e 16x slot?

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

It's kinda shady for Biostar to not list their PCI-E upfront on their website, but the spec from Manual is x4 or x1. From website: http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=pt880+pro-a7c

? Slots:
1 x AGP 8x
4 x PCI
1 x PCI-Extreme (Compatible with most PCI-E x16 graphics cards)

I'm guessing it can run x16 cards, but default to x4???

 

[Avalon]

If it can take a 7800GTX, it should be able to take any PCI-e card. I'd recommend trying to snag a 7600GT for $160AR...I know it's a bit above your stated price point, but there is a large performance difference in cards once you go further down from there.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I found one from newegg.com: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

Currently selling for $170 - $20 mail in rebate. It's eVGA 256-P2-N553-AX Geforce 7600GT CO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail .

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: BehindEnemyLines
I found one from newegg.com: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

Currently selling for $170 - $20 mail in rebate. It's eVGA 256-P2-N553-AX Geforce 7600GT CO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail .

Same exact card I have, nice. EVGA makes some good stuff. Only thing I don't like about the 7600GTs is that the stock fan is noisy on bootup, but once you're gaming, or if you're just in 2D, it's not loud.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I just did a quick search and according to AnandTech's review, the mobo supports x16 video cards but runs at x4 instead. Would that have any significant impacts on frame rates?

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: BehindEnemyLines
I just did a quick search and according to AnandTech's review, the mobo supports x16 video cards but runs at x4 instead. Would that have any significant impacts on frame rates?

Doubtful. The cut back from x16 to x8 doesn't do anything against performance. x4 is already still more bandwidth than AGP 8x, and that was never bandwidth limited during its height. There may be a percentage or two difference.