recommend me a video card under 50

[ahenkel]

I have a need for a cheap but good video card. It's gonna be played @ 1024x768 for the moment, but an upgrade to a bigger monitor is planned. So account for say 1680x1050. Maybe 1920x1080. Its gonna run TF2, Left4dead, fallout 3 and new vegas.

 

[LxMxFxD4]

ATI 5450 can be had for under $50. Only card that can that is minorly acceptable for gaming.

 

[ahenkel]

5450 all right I can look into that. I have also been looking at the 4650 too.

 

[nitromullet]

If you're looking for a $50 gaming card, used is going to be your best bet.

I'd suggest looking for something like an GeForce 8800GT or Radeon 4850.

 

[eggrolls]

If you're looking for a $50 gaming card, used is going to be your best bet.

I'd suggest looking for something like an GeForce 8800GT or Radeon 4850.

This is probably what you want. The 5450 won't be able to handle 1680x1050.

 

[Insomniator]

What is the rest of the system?

A 50 dollar card paired with components that... are in a similar league are going to make 1024 or maybe 1440x900 the highest you are going to go.

But yeah, definitely a used 9800gt/4850... maybe a GTS240 if you have to have new.

 

[blanketyblank]

Except those cards are probably over $50. Closer to $80.
Maybe you can find a 9600GT or an unlockable 9600GSO if you're lucky.
With a bios flash on the right 9600GSO, it can become an 8800GTS 512 and provide
close to GTS 250 performance.

 

[ahenkel]

What is the rest of the system?
.

its an Athlon II 250, 2gb ddr2, a Gigabyte GA-MA78LM-S2 AMD 760G + SB710 Chipset and a 550watt psu.

 

[RussianSensation]

ATI 5450 can be had for under $50. Only card that can that is minorly acceptable for gaming.

5450, 4650, GT220 etc. all those are just a waste of $$$.

Add extra $5-10 and get GT240. This is one of those cases where $10 buys you at least double the performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814261059

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125304

Benchmarks: http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/ati_radeon_hd_5570,4.html

Of course a used 9800GT, 4850 or 4770 would be even better.

 

[ahenkel]

I'll see if I can bump the budget a little. The goal here is to only spend what I make selling off old equipment.

 

[nitromullet]

Except those cards are probably over $50. Closer to $80.
Maybe you can find a 9600GT or an unlockable 9600GSO if you're lucky.
With a bios flash on the right 9600GSO, it can become an 8800GTS 512 and provide
close to GTS 250 performance.

A 9600GT or 3870 are other options as well. The fact of the matter is that ~$50 for a used gaming card is going to require a bit or work to find something decent, but it's just not enough for a new card IMO.

edit:

I'll see if I can bump the budget a little. The goal here is to only spend what I make selling off old equipment.

in that case:

9800GT $77 shipped AMIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-046-_-Product

or look for a good deal on a used card...

 

[ahenkel]

I think what i might do is look for a card that's defective and bake it.

 

[edplayer]

gt 240 is your best choice but to get it under $50 you have to buy one with a MIR. Check slickdeals. I recently saw a XFX GT 240 (gddr5) for less than $50 after MIR and bing cashback. Came with COD:MW also.

maybe you can collect cans or something to round up some more money?

 

[tweakboy]

Try a 8400GS . Very good budget card.. gl

 

[ahenkel]

I can't play any games on a 8400gs, If it was down to that I'd stick with the on-board video

 

[BladeVenom]

ATI 5450 can be had for under $50. Only card that can that is minorly acceptable for gaming.

A 4650 is far more powerful.

 

[ahenkel]

Update: Took a gamble on a defective 8800gt got it for 12.50. Threw it in the oven and now it works great. Just played some portal on it.

 

[faxon]

fuuuuu, thats awesome. $12.50 for a card that you can game on today is badass, i dont care what anyone says lol. hope it lives a while, but you should consider putting away for a better rig anyway in case it does die again

 

[RaistlinZ]

I know there's a huge long thread on this somewhere, but in a nutshell what does baking the card do for it to bring it back from the dead?

 

[Herald85]

I know there's a huge long thread on this somewhere, but in a nutshell what does baking the card do for it to bring it back from the dead?

It melts the solder and thus restores conductivety