Radeon 9550 or equivalent

[Mokmo418]

I've been checking vid cards for a few days now (to be bought w/ LCD screen by tuesday 08/10).
I've found a Sapphire radeon 9550 128-bit 128MB RAM that fits my prices (Under 85$ before shipping)
I'd really like to have something that supports dual screens(CRT and LCD), NView, Hydravision or other third party software. So give me your suggestions.
Right now i'm running on a Geforce 2 MX so anything will do, as long as it stays in max price.

 

[SneakyStuff]

GeForce FX 5500 $75

 

[Pete]

What exactly do you need a card for? Multi-monitor office work? Gaming? 3D rendering apps?

 

[Mokmo418]

Basically i'm upgrading from the GeForce2 MX while getting a new screen, so i thought: " Hey why not make it able to run both"
Yes it may be just for kicks. But i would have bought a new vid card in this range anyways. I do a lot of gaming in rather old games (Counter-Strike and other mods, Diablo II exp, MS Flight sim 04).

As for the 5500, Being in Canada, it seems not to be available anywhere. While looking for it i found a 5600XT at a nice price after rebate
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=929561&Tab=0&NoMapp=0
I do know i'm a little over budget on this, but it's a better card for not much of a price difference (8 cdn$ more than the FX5200 and the difference is quite visible in some online tests i found)
Of course there's that rebate thingy, well a little patience never killed anyone (except in an hospital or two)

 

[Kondik]

Ehm 9550 is much better than FX5500 i had 5500 and it wasnt somethig extra 9550 is better much better

 

[MDE]

The 9550 is nothing more than a cut down 9600. I wouldn't go any lower than a 9600 (not an SE\LE).

 

[SneakyStuff]

Look for a 5700LE in that case, you can overclock those, and they do QUITE well, for the price you pay for one, check this review out at XBIT labs. XBIT Check out the oc'd 5700LE.

 

[Delorian]

Even a GF4Ti wouldn't be bad in your price range, esp. with the types of games you are playing.

 

[Mokmo418]

GF4TIs are hard to find here up north...
new or used
and people on ebay.ca sell used vid cards like they were new...

EDIt: so is the 5700LE

 

[Lonyo]

Get an nVidia card if you are using multi monitors.
For me, I couldn't find much in the way of multi-monitor options on my 9800, but it might just be me.
nVidia is a lot easier to work with IMO for multi monitors.
Plus digital vibrance control is nice on nVidia.