PCIE Card recommendations for older system

[aedave]

Hello All,
I'm not looking at upgrading my entire desktop system, so lets not go there.
This is what I have:

*Mobile Athlon64 4000+ 754 (2.6Ghz fastest 754 processor)
*1.5 Gigs of ddr3200 Ram
*Albatron KM51G-754 motherboard (has PCI-E X16 video slot)
*Zalman 7000Cu cooler
*Dell p991 monitor (1600x1200@85Hz settings)
*1080p capable LCD TV (occasionally used for gaming)

Currently the system is not Overclocked.
From what I have read 2.9Ghz OC can be
achieved with my current setup.
I want to stay away from the headache causing
refresh rates.
I would like to use my monitor on the 1600x1200 setting when gaming.
I mainly play simulator/flying type games.
The CPU will be the bottle neck and I can accept that.
I want a card that may be slightly bottle necked by the CPU(I will be overclocking the CPU)

I need a good performance card, not worried about using it in my next system.

High end cards I have ruled out:
Nvidia GTX 200 series (way to much power for this system)
ATI 4800 series (as above)
Nvidia 9800GTX(as above)

Where is my money best spent?
I want a good performance card for my money, I don't want to waste money on a card this system will never fully utilize.
Is an 8800GT to much for this system?

DC

 

[BlueAcolyte]

8800GT, HD 3870, HD 4850, 9600GT would be good fits for your system.

 

[JPB]

What GPU are you currently using ?

 

[SneakyStuff]

PNY 8800GT $120 flat

I think that would be a good card for the system and it won't break the bank.

edit: And free copy of Frontlines Fuel of War, that's an easy $15-20 back if you choose to sell.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: aedave
Is an 8800GT to much for this system?

It's definitely a bit overkill for your system, but if you buy one that's on sale, like the one SnaekyStuff suggested, it's also the best value around right now, especially if you figure in the slightly higher resale value compared to say, a 9600GT. BTW, I'm assuming you already knew that M$'s flight sims absolutely love nVidia's cards? Also, if you're wanting to run FSX (decently), a dual-core is pretty much mandatory, but you'll be much better off with a quad-core. FSX is the only reason I own a quad, and it uses all 4 cores (@ less than ~5,000' AGL) @ 80-100% core usage.. Welcome to anandtech, BTW.

edit: Hah, SnaekyStuff, that's funny! Sorry, SneakyStuff.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: aedave
Is an 8800GT to much for this system?

It's definitely a bit overkill for your system, but if you buy one that's on sale, like the one SnaekyStuff suggested, it's also the best value around right now, especially if you figure in the slightly higher resale value compared to say, a 9600GT. BTW, I'm assuming you already knew that M$'s flight sims absolutely love nVidia's cards? Also, if you're wanting to run FSX (decently), a dual-core is pretty much mandatory, but you'll be much better off with a quad-core. FSX is the only reason I own a quad, and it uses all 4 cores (@ less than ~5,000' AGL) @ 80-100% core usage.. Welcome to anandtech, BTW.

edit: Hah, SnaekyStuff, that's funny! Sorry, SneakyStuff.

well maybe saying it would be an EASY 15-20 might be a stretch haha, let's settle on $5.

 

[tuteja1986]

ASUS EAH3850/G/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3

Comes with aftermath Cooler which idle at 35C-40C and 60C-65C on load

Company of heroes
Alone in the dark

for only $89 or 59 after mail in rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121219

Awesome deal : )

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: tuteja1986
ASUS EAH3850/G/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3

Comes with aftermath Cooler which idle at 35C-40C and 60C-65C on load

Company of heroes
Alone in the dark

for only $89 or 59 after mail in rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121219

Awesome deal : )

+1

for $69 shipped plus the free game you can't go wrong with this deal. that card is definitely slower than the 8800gt, but honestly you're going to be severly cpu bottlenecked anyway with that system. snag the 3850 and upgrade you video card next time you upgrade the whole system.

 

[Narynan]

Depends on your budget. I think that a 3850....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121219

for 60 dollars AMR is a really really sick deal and does not break the budget. And is a huge stretch for that system. But really no need to spend more money. and you get company of heros AND Alone in the Dark for free. Thats at least the cost of the card in games as well.

Also if you are looking to go with Nvidia, the 8600 is a good card too, but might be underpowered compared to the 3850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130084

Bot are 60 AMR

Cheers!

 

[geokilla]

BFG 9600GT OC

Only $69.99AR. Just pray it's not one of the defective G92 cores =)