Best video card for under $200?

[BroadbandGamer]

Sorry guys but I haven't been following the latest GPU news. My dads video card just died and he needs a new one ASAP. What's the best card for $200 or less?

Thanks,

 

[AzN]

Couple posts down. Exact same question.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2185536&enterthread=y

 

[Denithor]

Well, AZN, you may have jumped too quickly there.

BG, what kind of video card does he have now?
Is it AGP or PCIe?
What does he use it for (general use or is he a gamer)?


As long as it is PCIe and he is a gamer, the recommendations in that thread are suitable.

If he has an AGP card go with a 2600 Pro/XT (or if he's a gamer get an HD3850 if the rest of his system can push it properly).

If it's PCIe and he's not a gamer, just get whatever cheapo PCIe card you can find.

 

[BroadbandGamer]

It's PCIe and he plays World of Warcraft.

 

[Jax Omen]

WoW? Get a cheap PCI-E card, then.

The Radeon 3650 would be more than adequate to max out WoW.

 

[Denithor]

Naw, at least spring for an PowerColor HD3850 512MB ($107 after $40MIR) or an EVGA 8800GS 384MB ($112 after $30MIR). These cards will give great fps in WoW with eye candy turned up.

Of course, if you want to spend a bit more (not necessary for WoW but if he wants to play other stuff it would be useful) you could also consider the ECS 8800GTS 512MB ($177 after $50MIR) which is probably the best performance/price card available today.

 

[Lithan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102715
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814134040
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121224

Going down the list. Top is cheapest, bottom is quite a bit better for not much more ($50 more). (Top two cards are actually ~ the same after MIR, but the top one is $10 less before MIR).

$112 after MIR 3850
$112 after MIR 8800gs
$132 after MIR 9600gt
$161 after MIR 8800gt
But ANY of these cards should max WoW. It's a 4 or 5 year old game by now isn't it?

 

[BladeVenom]

Any of those cards just listed will be more than enough for WoW.