Need video card suggestions for new rig...

[MaxDSP]

Well, I'm finally building the new rig I've put off for almost 2 years. Actually, the rig will be semi-new, as the case (Antec something), AthlonXP1600+, 256MB PC2700, sound card (Creative X-Gamer Live 5.1), dvd-rom (Toshiba 16x), 400W Antec PSU, and hard-drive (brand new Maxtor 7200 8MB cache 80GB) will remain the same.

Only things I need to buy are a mobo and video card, and the mobo I've had recommended is this one. That leaves the video card, and the budget is around $70-80, which should be enough to buy a halfway decent one I hope. So many damn cards out that I'm completely lost on them.

Also, I really dont know if I can afford to upgrade the XP1600+, but if I was to, which CPU would you recommend on a budget?

 

[Corporate Thug]

ti4200

 

[413xram]

If that motherboard is the one that you are going to purchase. I would rocommend an AMD in the xp series. They range in price from 75 dollars and up. Get one with a 333 fsb to 400 fsb.

 

[justin1466]

good choice for a mobo, but your cpu is a little slow. i'd recommend getting at least a amd 2000+ XP ($57) or a 2500+ ($80) and o/cing it since they're pretty dirt cheap. It would also be a good idea for another stick of ram, 256 so you can run em dual channel. As for a video card, i'd agree with the ti4200. great bang for your buck if you can find one. If you like ati, go for the 9600 (~$100) . its half-way decent, or if you want cheaper a 9200 (~$60) should suffice. Good luck

 

[MaxDSP]

I already do have an XP 1600+ but would that be too slow for games like Pandora tomorrow, halo, and UT2k4?

 

[justin1466]

yeah your 1600+ is gonna be Slow, especially in UT2004 because it relies on video and cpu power (well some cpu in Onslaught and Assault). If your gettin an Nforce2 mobo (a 400 FSB at that) i'd recomend a better cpu, otherwise get a cheaper motherboard. ECS is good, they make great boards for bargain gamers (K7VTA3 is good and i think is about $60 at Fry's). I had a 2100+ (Tbred 266) and that ran UT2004 pretty good.

 

[PuppettMaster001]

Before buying a new CPU, I would try to overclock the 1600+ now and see how far you could push it though. I have had my 1700+ at 2.1GHz for a little over a year now no problems.

 

[RussianSensation]

Why do you need to buy a new motherboard anyway? Did your old one fry or something?

For $65 this One is better or you could even go for this for $50. Get a Barton 2500+ or a Mobile something. 256mb of RaM is NOT enough for new games. Get AT LEAST extra 256mb. Also your PC2700 ram will hold you back so if you plan on overclocking past 200FSB you are out of luck (unless your RaM overclocks like crazy). If you aren't into overclocking getting Barton 2500+ or T-bred 2700+ is a good choice so you could retain the PC2700 Ram. The 4200/4400/4600 series would be your best option unless you can find something cheaper and faster.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: shady06
ti4200

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Why do you need to buy a new motherboard anyway? Did your old one fry or something?

For $65 this One is better or you could even go for this for $50. Get a Barton 2500+ or a Mobile something. 256mb of RaM is NOT enough for new games. Get AT LEAST extra 256mb. Also your PC2700 ram will hold you back so if you plan on overclocking past 200FSB you are out of luck (unless your RaM overclocks like crazy). If you aren't into overclocking getting Barton 2500+ or T-bred 2700+ is a good choice so you could retain the PC2700 Ram. The 4200/4400/4600 series would be your best option unless you can find something cheaper and faster.

The old mobos (1 ECS and 1 Epox) last year but I couldnt get them to work so I tried to have my friends look at the system and see which part was dead. It took over a year (mostly due to my stupidity and procrastination) but one of my friends said both boards were pretty much dead. Only problem now is that both are out of warranty, so I need a new one. My friend recommended this board cause hes had a lot of experience with it...and he games a lot more than I do on the PC these days.

As far as upgrading the RAM and CPU, I probbaly wont be able to right now because of other expenses. I dont plan on overclocking anything really, I just need a fairly fast and stable system on which I can play games at a decent quality. Really dont need uber-high resolutions, particle effects, 100 fps, etc

 

[Delorian]

Originally posted by: justin1466
yeah your 1600+ is gonna be Slow, especially in UT2004 because it relies on video and cpu power (well some cpu in Onslaught and Assault). If your gettin an Nforce2 mobo (a 400 FSB at that) i'd recomend a better cpu, otherwise get a cheaper motherboard. ECS is good, they make great boards for bargain gamers (K7VTA3 is good and i think is about $60 at Fry's). I had a 2100+ (Tbred 266) and that ran UT2004 pretty good.

ECS Sucks, get an MSI for just a little more cash and you'll have a board that isn't top-end expensive but is reliable and quite overclockable unlike the ECS boards.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: MaxDSP

The old mobos (1 ECS and 1 Epox) last year but I couldnt get them to work so I tried to have my friends look at the system and see which part was dead. It took over a year (mostly due to my stupidity and procrastination) but one of my friends said both boards were pretty much dead. Only problem now is that both are out of warranty, so I need a new one. My friend recommended this board cause hes had a lot of experience with it...and he games a lot more than I do on the PC these days.

As far as upgrading the RAM and CPU, I probbaly wont be able to right now because of other expenses. I dont plan on overclocking anything really, I just need a fairly fast and stable system on which I can play games at a decent quality. Really dont need uber-high resolutions, particle effects, 100 fps, etc

Hmm....that is very unusual how both motherboards died for you. Make sure you do not have a bad power supply or that your system doensn't overheat. The motherboard you have chosen is pretty good. Ti 4200/4400/4600 card will suit your system just fine until you do a complete system upgrade. What is the current videocard you have right now?

 

[vshah]

i'd agree with the 4200,

if you upgrade your cpu, look into getting a mobile AXP 2500 and OCing the sh!t out of it

-Vivan