Best video card under $100?

[GagHalfrunt]

Need recommendations for a good video card for a budget system I'm tossing together quickly. The probable specs:

Athlon Thoroughbred 1700+ maybe slightly overclocked, but not pushed too hard
ECS K7S5A MB
256MB PC2100 RAM, might go to 512 as RAM is cheap these days
120GB WD SE 8MB cache primary hard drive.
24/10/40 CD-RW
12X DVD

The machine will be an all-purpose rig, not a specialized gamer. I'm not looking for killer frame rates in Quake III, just a card that at least can hold it's own on the rare instances that I do play some sort of 3D game. 64MB minimum, preferred desktop resolution is 1280X1024 on a 19" CRT. I'm looking for a video card under $100 that performs the best out of the box, not after several hacks, flash upgrades and hopeful overclocking. Any suggestions?

 

[kurt454]

The standard answer in this case will be the Radeon 8500LE. 128 meg model if you can find it still for under $100. 64 meg if you can't.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Yup. Although the GF4TI4200 is better if you want more in gaming and to maximise the potential of your CPU but Rad8500LE-128MB offers great all round perf and is better than the full Rad8500-64MB too. The Rad8500 series varies quite dramaticly by manu AND oem vs retail so do check clocks (std roughly 250/250) and also check if it truly has dual RAMDACs if dual display is important to you. You could consider a Rad9000PRO as they are FAR more consistent although slightly slower than a Rad8500LE-64MB for gaming they are slightly enhanced in other areas.

 

[xSauronx]

i like my radeon 8500le 64mb for 72 bucks at newegg, dont think youll find a 128mb for less than 100 bucks

 

[DClark]

Actually, Newegg.com has the 128mb Radeon 8500LE for $94, the 128mb Radeon 9000 for $88, and the 129mb Radeon 9000 Pro for $99.

I currently own a 64mb Radeon 8500 and it's been great (I've had it for over 11 months); the 8500 and 9000 series are very good budget options that can play today's games quite well. With a P4 1.6A, I generally play most of my games in 1280x1024 resolution.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

And both Nutrend and ABS (same company as Newegg I think) have the 128MB Radeon 8500 for $91 shipped, so that's what I'm getting. That ought to suit my needs very well, thanks for the advice.

 

[ivwshane]

Originally posted by: AnAndAustin
Yup. Although the GF4TI4200 is better if you want more in gaming and to maximise the potential of your CPU but Rad8500LE-128MB offers great all round perf and is better than the full Rad8500-64MB too. The Rad8500 series varies quite dramaticly by manu AND oem vs retail so do check clocks (std roughly 250/250) and also check if it truly has dual RAMDACs if dual display is important to you. You could consider a Rad9000PRO as they are FAR more consistent although slightly slower than a Rad8500LE-64MB for gaming they are slightly enhanced in other areas.

These are very wise words! Make sure you know exactly what you are getting, a little more research can go a long way

 

[majewski9]

the 8500 or the 9000 Radeons. Definately not any Nvidia cards or SIS.

 

[NEVERwinter]

another vote for Radeon 8500/9000 Pro. beside, your system is almost the same as mine.... think you'll be happy with that

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: majewski9
the 8500 or the 9000 Radeons. Definately not any Nvidia cards or SIS.

and why not? mine runs just fine, just like every other nvidia product i own. cant say the same for ati...

 

[tenoc]

Pull in your fangs, Nicki!

The thread title specified under $100. No REAL GF4s at that price point are there?

 

[AnAndAustin]

At the same time tenoc people often end up spending 10-20% more than there stated maximum in threads such as these. 4200 cards do start from around $110, not a world away from $100. A nicely priced well specced Rad8500-9000PRO is prob more up GagHalfrunt's street though ... the 4200 would get mroe out of an o/c'ed XP1700+ though