I have $100 what should I be looking for?

[TravisT]

Yes, I am looking for some type of Video Card that is in my price range. I am assuming the Nvidia series will be the best to look for and even though I've heard bad things about the 256MB cards, i'm still tempted to get one. However, if one of the 128MB cards will give me the best bang for my buck then does anyone know which one would be the best for me to get?

I am not looking to overclock/flash.

 

[modedepe]

256mb cards are a waste, especially on any $100 card. Plus the ram on them is often considerably slower. For $100 your best option is a ti4200.

 

[smittybg]

you can get Radeon 9600 pro's for $107 , go to pricewatch.com and look at there video card section. Its DX9 fast GPU considering its $100

 

[modedepe]

There is no way you can get a 9600 pro for $107, not even a crappy "ez version." It's about $150 for a real 9600 pro, and probably about $135 for an ez. My guess is you're seeing a 9600 NON pro.

 

[Paveslave]

I have $100 what should I be looking for?

Um.... Another $100 so you can get a decent card. Seriously, even a 5200FX for $98 locally wouldn't suffice for future games. Save the hundred now and get something better later when you have more ca$h.

 

[Blastman]

9100/8500LE ? ? $72 - 85
4200 or 9600? ? ? $100 -120
9600pro ? ? ? ? $145 - 180

 

[chsh1ca]

Originally posted by: modedepe
There is no way you can get a 9600 pro for $107, not even a crappy "ez version." It's about $150 for a real 9600 pro, and probably about $135 for an ez. My guess is you're seeing a 9600 NON pro.

Yep, read the fine print:
DV Century listing:

ONLINE ORDER ONLY -
Gigacube ATI Radeon 9600 128MB DDR AGP8X DVI+CRT+TVO ( RETAIL BOX)
(Part - 96-230-9601)
Price: $100
Ship 1 : $4.95 - 6.65
Will Ship: 1-2 days

and PCRapids.com listing:

ONLINE ORDER ONLY -
ATI Powered RADEON 9600 128MB DDR AGP8X DVI+CRT+TVO
(Part - VIDATI128M01972)
Price: $107
Ship 1 : $4.00 - 4.98

You gentlemen are also incorrect in that they list quite a few 9600Pros (even Built by ATI Retail) at less than $140.

 

[morijuana]

my first thought is to ask what card you have now.... i tend to agree $100 aint gonna buy you much with any form of "future proofing" (though i find my ti4200 128mb great for all current games.

is an upgrade really necessary? or can you deliver a few more pizzas/pump some more gas/write a new international space program* til you can afford a GOOD card?

dont upgrade just coz you can.. its sometimes best to wait a while til the right choice comes along, or you can afford something you really want.

*Delete as appropriate

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Blastman
9100/8500LE ? ? $72 - 85
4200 or 9600? ? ? $100 -120
9600pro ? ? ? ? $145 - 180

That's it

 

[Blastman]

The cheapest 128MB 4200 I found at Newegg is (non-refurbished) ? ?

CHAINTECH A-GX20 TI-4200 128MB 8X VGA, DVI & TV-OUT. RETAIL BOX ? $119

The cheapest 128MB 9600 is ?

CONNECT3D ATI RADEON 9600 128MB DDR DVI+TV RETAIL ? $118

So, both these are over your budget. If I was spending a $120, I would save another $30 and get a 9600pro unless you are partial to Nvidia.

Under $100 is 64MB 4200 ?$94

Or

128MB 9100 ? $72
128MB 8500LE ? $82

 

[Vette73]

Try and get a ATI 9500-9600. Will do DX9 and be the best bang for your buck.

 

[TheAudit]

For $100 I don't think you will be able to find anything that could be termed, "good". I agree with some of these guys, you are probably should save up a few more bucks and get something better, like a 9600 Pro or maybe a 9800 NP.

For $100 you are looking at an FX 5200 and that's not too hot. If you aren't going to use it for anything too intensive it will be fine for you.

 

[Pete]

Try for a 4200 or 9600. I think you're better off spending an extra $10 and getting a 128MB Radeon 9600, which should be the minimum acceptable card for current 3D gaming.

Edit: And forget about 256MB for any card under $300.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Ti4200 if you want to be able to play current games decently, and a 9600 is you want to play current ones fine but play the future ones better than the 4200 would. Personally, I would go for the 9600, but if you can spend a little more, get the 9600 Pro, much better IMO.

 

[nRollo]

I have $100 what should I be looking for?

A job?


(sorry, couldn't resist)

As all have said, $100 is the bottom of the food chain. Ti4200 is it.

 

[DahDee]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16814128132R

 

[kylebisme]

DahDee knows a good deal when he sees one.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Ti4200 if you want to be able to play current games decently, and a 9600 is you want to play current ones fine but play the future ones better than the 4200 would. Personally, I would go for the 9600, but if you can spend a little more, get the 9600 Pro, much better IMO.

 

[Pete]

Originally posted by: DahDee
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16814128132R

This is a great gaming deal if you don't care about a warranty (beyond a week). Best deal for <$100, IMO, but you may feel safer with a 9600.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: DahDee
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16814128132R

nasty 4ns memory though

 

[Nebor]

I have $100 what should I be looking for?

Another hundred dollar bill, so you can buy a good video card.

 

[Paveslave]

Originally posted by: Nebor

I have $100 what should I be looking for?

Another hundred dollar bill, so you can buy a good video card.

Basically that's what I said .....up^

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: DahDee
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16814128132R

nasty 4ns memory though

Yeah, I saw the 4ns mem, but it's also a Golden Sample, which means it'll run a lot faster than spec, if I understand the Golden Sample classification correctly.

Edit: The point is moot for now -- the card is OOS.

 

[Jeff7181]

How bout another $100? =)