Please advise: best PCI-E video card for a low-power system

[White Widow]

My brother just picked up a Dell Vostro 220, and wants to get a video card he can do some gaming with. The system comes with a E7300 (2.66GHz), 2GB RAM, 1xHD, and 1 DVD-ROM. No other attached devices. I *think* the system has a 300W power supply, but not 100% sure.

As a rule of thumb, I was going to look only for cards that don't require any external power...should I be looking at other cards, too? I was thinking about:

- NV 9500GT
- ATI x800
- NV 8500GT
- NV 6800GT (external power, but still OK?)

Looking to spend $60 or less...

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Andrew1990]

HD4670 or 4650!

 

[zerocool84]

This is probably the best card that doesn't need a power connector and it's $60 AR.

Apollo HD 4670

 

[Zap]

For the time being the best that doesn't need additional power is the Radeon 4670.

 

[error8]

4670 all the way. The ones you've listed there, are crap for gaming.

 

[magreen]

Ooh, Zap, spill the beans and tell us what you know!

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Zap
For the time being the best that doesn't need additional power is the Radeon 4670.

Would that be the 9600 and 9800 GREEN cards? I'm seeing them popping up....


... but will there be low-profile cards available soon, and at what price?

I have a Radeon 4650 on order for a lousy $80CDN but am tempted to cancel the order for one of these.... if I can afford one (which is iffy.)

Plus that means more waiting.... My thumbs are sore from all the twiddling!