need a video card..

[T2urtle]

Well i have 2 desktops that i have about $100 to throw into each computer for a video card.

Computer 1

intel pentium D 820 2.8ghz
3gb of ram
xp pro sp2
500gb 7200rpm HD
22 in acer moniter AL 2216W
radeon x300 128mb



computer 2
intel core duel E4500 2.2ghz
2gb of ram
xp home sp2
500gb 7200rpm
19in Dell 1907
onboard video.



Both these computers play counter-strike 1.6.

computer 1 plays emualtors (n64,ps1, ps2,SNES stuff), watches and encodes a lot of movies.

computer 2 plays starcraft and other older games.

together both computers might go into newer games but lightly not full detail or anything like that. What video would be ideal solution for both these desktops.

 

[Epic22]

2600xt/pro or 8600gt if you want a newer card. Try to get a x19xx card like the 1950gt or pro; it'll be a little over your budget, but it blows the two previously mentioned cards away

 

[T2urtle]

how would this for computer 1

8400 gs http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16814121086

and computer 2 gets a 8600 gt http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16814150229

 

[Killrose]

8400gs is a 64bit mem interface, sucks bigtime which would be a sideways step from an X300.

 

[exar333]

I will probably take a lot of flak for saying so, but you can get great deals on 7800GT and 7900GT's. For $75-$80 bucks, they are a great deal and still perform pretty well on most games. CS would run very well on these.

 

[Marty502]

Radeon x1950GT / Pro for both, if you can snatch them.

However, those 2 are a bit strenous on the PSU. And I believe that the 8600GT/2600XT require less power than those Radeons while having just a little bit less performance on them... something to keep in mind too. What PSU do your computers have?

Oh, and the Geforce suggestions on the above post are great too.

 

[T2urtle]

these 2 are dell computer built. stock PSU on a e510 and a e530. So probaly not enough to power the ATI cards. Hence why i'm going a little light/mid-range on the GPU

computer 1 has a 305 watt so computer 2 has a aleast 305w since its brand new

 

[zeroburrito]

3dfx voodoo banshee would work on computer 2.

 

[osage]

HD2600XT
just under $100. shipped, has a rebate.
should be a step-up from what you have.

 

[BernardP]

Why do you say you have budget of $100 for each computer, then come up with a 8400GS for computer 1? Maybe your total budget is less than $200?

Suggestion One: Get two of these MSI 8600 GT OC for $80 each:

MSI 8600GT OC

Suggestion Two: You can also go with ATI 2600XT, as suggested above by osage, but I am reading a lot of comments on Newegg about driver problems with this family of cards. My personnal preference is with the Asus, for $90, because of its big and quiet fan, but those comments about system stability are not reassuring.

The MSI 8600GT @ $160 for a twofer looks best. If you want to throw a 8400GS into the mix, why not this fanless MSI 8400GS for $35 ?. No fan means one less thing to break.

I am not an MSI fanboy. It is just that they currently seem to have the most agressive pricing, combined with very good user ratings.

 

[Fenixgoon]

if you go on FS/FT, there are 7800GTX/x1800XT/x1900XT's going for about $100.

brand new: 2600XT/8600GT(S)