Best Video Card under $..

[RSanders]

What is the best videocard from around $140 to $175?? I am looking to replace my ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB videocard with somethign that will be able to handle all of the new games.. I even have problems with RTCW and stuff.. but that might be just the low ram (256mb of pc2700 DDR).

Should I just upgrade the ram, or should I upgrade both the videocard and the ram? My videocard might be able to handle all of the new games.. it might just be my ram.

 

[nick1985]

9600pro/5900NU

 

[Schadenfroh]

5900 NU

 

[modedepe]

5900nu if you can find it...otherwise a 9600 pro.

 

[RSanders]

Should I also add about 512 or 256MB of ram? Or is 256 plenty for the new games.

I think I will just upgrade anyway just because some games take forever to get out of.

BTW, I said $140 to $175.. lol. The 5900 Ultra is like close to $300.. so I can imagine the NU is not too much lower, plus I can't find it.. I will look at the 9600PRO

 

[NYHoustonman]

The 5900 nu can be found for as little as sub-$200 and is easily the best value (just look at pricewatch)...You may just want to save for that. Also, yes, you should get 256MB more memory at some point.

 

[RSanders]

Ok. I have found the 5900 128MB at Pricewatch around $198. Where can I find some benchmarks to compare it to the 9600 Pro and some of the other videocards?

 

[Bateluer]

I cannot reccomend any GF FX card, given Nvidia's driver issues and the FX's lack of DX9 compiance.

The 9800np is the best bang for the buck card out there, hands down. Provided, you can still find it.

 

[Pete]

In one of the many, many 9600XT vs. 5900 threads right below yours on the Video forum front page.

 

[rogue1979]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I cannot reccomend any GF FX card, given Nvidia's driver issues and the FX's lack of DX9 compiance.

The 9800np is the best bang for the buck card out there, hands down. Provided, you can still find it.

The nVidia driver issues and lack of DX9 compliance has pretty much been resolved in the last few driver releases.

I have a both Radeon and Geforce, the ATI drivers have a few issues and the nVidia doesn't.


5900nu is the best choice for it's price range.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: rogue1979

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I cannot reccomend any GF FX card, given Nvidia's driver issues and the FX's lack of DX9 compiance.

The 9800np is the best bang for the buck card out there, hands down. Provided, you can still find it.

The nVidia driver issues and lack of DX9 compliance has pretty much been resolved in the last few driver releases.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. The ForceWare drivers improved performance a little in some apps, degraded performance in others, degraded imaga quality in still more. The FX line's problem is hardware, it cannot be fixed with software patches. If you want an Nvidia part, then buy one of the GF4s as a stop gap, or wait for the NV40 and hope they fix their problems.

 

[Tab]

9600XT or if you want to take a dare on the DX9 Issuses 5900NU

 

[kza]

You guys must have really sharp eyes. I can't tell image quality difference whatsoever between my 9800np and the 5900nu, especially when you're actually playing. Maybe because I don't stand still and focus on a single object. This is with DX9 games too. I look at the overall picture while playing and nothing is really different that warrants the extra cash for a 9800np. Best price/performance right now easily goes to 5900nu.

 

[NYHoustonman]

Here we EDIT-go again...

 

[Evdawg]

9600 Pro in my opinion...

 

[Jeff7181]

You'd have a hard time finding a 5900nu with 2.2ns RAM in your price range, so I'd go for the 9600Pro or 9600XT.

 

[JEDI]

google for black friday ads and you'll see what i think will be best bang for the buck card. not as fast as the 5900nu, but price/performance wise it's a winner

(i cant list black friday stuff for that particular store here on AT)