Best Card for < $50

[dabench]

What is the best PCI express card out right now for under $50? I'm building a new PC and giving my old PC to my Mom. She doesn't need the power of my current video card so i am going to take my current card out and save a few $$.

 

[Mloot]

What kind of card do you currently have?

 

[dabench]

Does it matterr? I want to keep what I currently have.

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: dabench
Does it matterr? I want to keep what I currently have.

You're giving her your old PC and you're taking the current card out of it and putting it in your new box. Correct?

 

[Golgatha]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121259

Now bad for a mom box at $20 after MIR.

 

[dabench]

Yes, that is correct.

 

[Lepard]

Does the motherboard have integrated video? That may work for her.

With the extra money you will now have buy her a bouquet of flowers or take her out to dinner. Save the rest.

 

[dabench]

No integrated graphics. Are there any Nvidia options? I currently am using a Nvidia card and would prefer to stay same brand so that there aren't any driver conflicts and windows reinstalls.

 

[StarBlast]

With Nvidia, there just is not much you can get now for under $50 except the 9400 GT. However, for $10 more I would not even consider it and just get the 9500 GT. You can still get the 6200 or 8400 GS for around $30 if that is what you want. The 6200 or 8400 GS would be fine and they're pretty cheap. One more option would be the 8500 GT which is the same as the 9400 GT if you can find it for less. I don't think anything left in the 7000 series cards is worth considering. If the video card is not needing for anything specific and just for something above integrated graphics, then any of these would be an improvement. So, for less than $50 the 9400 GT or 8500GT would probably be the best.

 

[kmmatney]

Originally posted by: Golgatha
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121259

Now bad for a mom box at $20 after MIR.

:thumbsup:

You don't gain very much by going for a better card than this one. You can also get a 2400Pro for around $30, but the HD3450 will have better support.

A better (and newer card, with HDMI) would be something like:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102819


This card is much faster (128-bit memory bus) and is <$50 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814140094

Finally, here is a 9500GT, good card a little above the budget. It is fanless, which is good for a mom box:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814187035

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: dabench
No integrated graphics. Are there any Nvidia options? I currently am using a Nvidia card and would prefer to stay same brand so that there aren't any driver conflicts and windows reinstalls.

Why not? For the price you are looking at, integrated might be the way to go. Otherwise, there are some decent cards for around $50-60 AR if you check the hot deals section. (9600GSO etc.)

Don't waste your cash on something similar or barely better than integrated integrated...

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333

Originally posted by: dabench
No integrated graphics. Are there any Nvidia options? I currently am using a Nvidia card and would prefer to stay same brand so that there aren't any driver conflicts and windows reinstalls.

Why not? For the price you are looking at, integrated might be the way to go. Otherwise, there are some decent cards for around $50-60 AR if you check the hot deals section. (9600GSO etc.)

Don't waste your cash on something similar or barely better than integrated integrated...

I think he means there is no IGP on his old PC's motherboard, so he has to put a discrete card in there.

 

[konakona]

believe me, you need to run driver sweep even for two cards from the same company; I learned this the hard way between my x1650 pro and hd4850. Driver sweep is free and very foolproof. Going from nv to ati or vice versa should be just as easy/hard as staying with one company.

 

[Tempered81]

9600gt, 9600gs0, 8800gs, 4830, 4670

 

[teddyv]

I just picked up this Sapphire 3850 from NewEgg for $39 out the door with free shipping and no rebates to worry about. Check out Slickdeals, you have to use a code.

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: teddyv
I just picked up this Sapphire 3850 from NewEgg for $39 out the door with free shipping and no rebates to worry about. Check out Slickdeals, you have to use a code.

Nice deal. Unfortunately the deal is dead now.

Momma could've had a gaming rig.

 

[Schmide]

Originally posted by: teddyv
I just picked up this Sapphire 3850 from NewEgg for $39 out the door with free shipping and no rebates to worry about. Check out Slickdeals, you have to use a code.

Psst they repealed the code ban. You can post promo codes in the Hot Deals section.

 

[ultralord910]

A little over budget, but for only $60, this card
HIS HD4650
is a great deal, its much faster than 3450, 3650 and even 9500GT.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Originally posted by: ultralord910
A little over budget, but for only $60, this card
HIS HD4650
is a great deal, its much faster than 3450, 3650 and even 9500GT.

This card is now $49.99 and has a $10 rebate. Get this get this get this!

 

[teddyv]

Here is a comparison of some performance elements of several of the cards in your price range:
http://xtreview.com/addcomment...erformance-review.html

 

[Leyawiin]

http://shop2.frys.com/product/...sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Play the rebate game. Pretty sure it would be the strongest for $50 (after you get that check).

 

[Binky]

Originally posted by: kmmatney

Originally posted by: Golgatha
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121259

Now bad for a mom box at $20 after MIR.

:thumbsup:

You don't gain very much by going for a better card than this one.[/L]

+1 :thumbsup:

Mom won't need anything more than this card can handle. Seriously, don't waste your money on anything more powerful.