New Card Suggestions Please

[allmashkis]

Hi All,

Last night my ATI Radeon 9800 128MB card crashed. I need to get a new one. I have an older PC so I am looking to get a something around the $50-$80 range.
2.6 Ghz P4
1 Gig Ram
430 Watt power

I am looking for AGP card that has a VGA output. I am not sure if different brand like Sapphire or EVGA, etc.. make aany differences in terms of quality. I am looking for something with 512MB.

Any suggestions.

 

[woolfe9999]

For an AGP card in that price range, I think you're looking at an x1650pro. If you want to stretch the budget a little over $80 I think an x1950pro is much better performance. I wouldn't go any higher than that like the 3850 though. You're going to be very CPU bound with anything like current generation GPU's.

 

[allmashkis]

Thanks. I actually was looking at the X1650. Does it make a difference if I go with Sapphire, EVGA, Powercolor or any other brands?

 

[woolfe9999]

Not really, no. You might want to check the clock speeds they're offering them at versus the price of each card. The brand name alone really won't make a difference though.

- woolfe

 

[allmashkis]

One more clafication question before I buy a card. Are there any 256MB cards that are better than the 512MB cards in my price range?

The X1650Pro had mixed reviews.

 

[DSF]

The major difference between brands is the quality of the warranty and customer support. I'd check that out before you buy.

 

[Denithor]

On an x1650 Pro the memory size won't make any difference at all. Just go for whatever has the fastest clocks (core and memory) and you're set.