Need advice quick! what card for $210 or less inc shipping?

[Defector]

My trusty GF2pro has died and gone to heaven.

Wife has set a max of $210 for a new card.

What should I get??

Looking at Radeon 9700pro 128mb, FX5900 nu 128mb (BFG), FX5900Ultra 128mb (gainward)...

What's the difference in features (VIVO etc) and compatibility?

Rest of system is Athlon 1.33(266), 512MB, WinXP, RAID HDD, Iwill KK266-R (all as old as the GF2 haha.)

Need advice before she gets home, surfs the web and suggests a $80 card.... nooooooooooo!!

Thanks

 

[JustStarting]

BFG 5900NU- it has the 2.2ns DDR that will OC to Ultra speeds.

 

[Defector]

Oooooh.... I like....!

Thx for the tip.

 

[VIAN]

Maybe you should try updating the res of the system before you move onto some heavy metal like that. How bout 9600 XT.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Maybe you should try updating the res of the system before you move onto some heavy metal like that. How bout 9600 XT.

Yep , maybe 9600pro and upgrade rest of your system

 

[Defector]

9600XT = 150 shipped

BFG5900 nu = 168 shipped

What can I do to the rest of the system for $18 that would be worthwhile?


My old card is dead... so I have to get something.

 

[ErikS]

What can I do to the rest of the system for $18 that would be worthwhile?

LMAO - Nothing, I'd go with the 5900nu - one heck of a card for that price. Though consider (providing the MB can handle it).....

$210 max - $168 for card = $42

$42 is more than 1/2 tword a 2400+ ($73) if you don't like OC'ing...........

and is almost enough to buy a 1700+ ($50) that you could probably REALLY wind up after you saved your pennies & got a MB.

Like this........

"but honey I saved enough on the card to almost BUY a CPU..."

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Maybe you should try updating the res of the system before you move onto some heavy metal like that. How bout 9600 XT.

My thought exactly. If you're not going to update the rest of your system, you might as well get a ti4200 and save some money--a 5900 or 9700 wouldn't perform a whole lot better since it will be completley cpu bound.

 

[Defector]

To upgrade more than the video would really mean a CPU, MOBO and RAM.

Not happening this week!

Ordered the BFG5900nu.

Will be CPU bound at lower resolutions, no AA etc... probably not at higer resolutions, with all effects turned on tho'.

I have a spare case with a nice Antec PSU, so a new MOBO etc. may happen later this year.

Thanks for the advice though, it is all appreciated.

 

[Defector]

To upgrade more than the video would really mean a CPU, MOBO and RAM.

Not happening this week!

Ordered the BFG5900nu.

Will be CPU bound at lower resolutions, no AA etc... probably not at higer resolutions, with all effects turned on tho'.

I have a spare case with a nice Antec PSU, so a new MOBO etc. may happen later this year.

Thanks for the advice though, it is all appreciated.

 

[modedepe]

Actually, you should have no problem using aa, af, higher res, etc, since these are primarily gpu bound. The thing is your frame rate won't be all that great whether you have all the goodies on or off.