Decent graphics card for under $200?

[Kennysan]

So, it's time for me to build my first desktop PC in a long time. I want to build a performance/gaming rig for under $1000. Currently, with just the dual core athlon processor, mobo, PS, CD/DVD burner, and case, that's costing about $434. I still need to buy ram, a hard drive, and a video card with the remaining 566.

Thread with my current machine specs

Is it possible to get a good video card for under/around $200, especially if I want to use this machine to game? I'm pretty confused by all the talk about stuff like SLI and whatnot.

 

[Captante]

Step up to a 7600GT instead of the GS & forget about the 512mb cards ... better still go for a cheap 7900GT which you should be able to snag for around $250.

 

[stelleg151]

Another 7600gt vote here.

 

[Elfear]

This one looks pretty good for the price and it will pummel a 7600GT. A 7900GT will be a tad faster if you want to spend the extra $25-30.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Elfear
This one looks pretty good for the price.

That doesn't seem like a bad choice; it shoehorns nicely between the 7600GT and the 7900GT.

 

[Wreckage]

Spend an extra $30 and get this.....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150144

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
Spend an extra $30 and get this.....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150144

Or he could spend $55 less and get a perfectly acceptable gaming experience with this.

I think things can be summed up like as:
7600GT - play all games maxed @ 1024x768, 4X AA...maybe drop AA to 2X if moving up to 1280x1024
X1900GT/7900GT - play all games maxed @ 1280x1024, 4X AA...some games go upto 1600x1200 with a few tweaks here and there.

Oblivion is an entirely different story.

 

[Jules]

or he could get a X1800XT for 200$ at the egg.

 

[Elfear]

What games and at what resolution do you play OP?

 

[coldpower27]

That is if the OP can meddle around with MIR and has 300US on hand.

The 7600 GT is under 200US natively and offers a great performance for it's price.

 

[gobucks]

i'd recommend a card in the $200-225 range, there are several options - X1900GT, X1800XT 256MB, and 7900GT. all these cards will be around twice as fast as a 7600GT, not that a 7600GT is bad by any means. Also, you can get better ram for $160. I just bought a 2x1GB kit of OCZ Platinum PC6400 DDR with 4-5-4-15 timings from outpost for $140 after rebate, and I saw similar kits on newegg for around $160 (i think they were CAS 5 instead of CAS 4, but that's not a huge deal).

 

[Tig Ol Bitties]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142068

Out of stock currently, but looks like a killer deal if you're willing to spend now and get money back later. ETA: 8/4/06

 

[beserker15]

Originally posted by: Tig Ol Bitties
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142068

Out of stock currently, but looks like a killer deal if you're willing to spend now and get money back later. ETA: 8/4/06

It's back in stock now btw .

 

[Reiniku]

Get a recertified (refurb) 7900gt for $200.