Upgrading ... best value in a lower end vid card. Please recommend one.

[dud]

I have offered to help a good friend upgrade his old computer (a Compaq Presario) to play "basic" games. My friend is technically challenged when it comes to hardware. After checking out his system I've decided that more memory and a lower-end vid card. My friend has almost no money and I've offered to "help him out" a bit.

Please recommend a good lower-to-mid range vid card. My friend will be playing older games (from 4 to 10 years old) like Quake III, Elite Force and Serious Sam. His budget is a joke and he will consider used.

Thank you ...

 

[davidrees]

You should post his system specs - at least the basics.

I assume he is not running an AGP slot - right?

Your best bet is probably to monitor Craigslist for a while. I recently saw a 7900GTX for about $25 but you can find all kinds of stuff for all kinds of prices.

A specific dollar amount would help too but when you go used, some people are just better at finding the deals than others.

 

[dud]

Sorry for that. His Presario has an Asus MB with a P4 running at about 2.9 GHz, PCI-E slot and a capacity of up to 4 GB (4 slot configuration).

I was hoping to help him buy some used memory (PC3200 DDR) and an Nvidia card (new or used).

 

[bradyapba]

whats his video card now? or is it onboard?

 

[Leyawiin]

You could grab an ATI HD 4650 for about $50. That would easily handle old games with a minimal power draw. If he must have Nvidia this 8800 GT would be a great buy - he could get on the "auto-notify" list:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143118

Should have asked, what's his power supply like?

 

[dud]

whats his video card now? or is it onboard?

That is correct, it is onbaord and incapable of playing anything.

 

[bradyapba]

then the 4650 is a very good choice in the $50 range.