Who makes the best mid-low end video cards?

[Accipiter22]

I'm building a discount system for a friend, and he doesn't have a lot of cash to spare...since my video card was the most expensive thing in my computer, I dind't really look at hte lower end of things, i'm thinking like 128 meg/128 bit video cards....any reccomendations?

 

[halfadder]

Can you afford a GeForce 6600 GT?

Otherwise consider looking for a used Radeon 9700.

 

[Accipiter22]

I'm thinkin maybe the 6600 GT, i'll have to inquire as to if that's too much for him

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
I'm thinkin maybe the 6600 GT, i'll have to inquire as to if that's too much for him

6200 + softmod?

- M4H

 

[nick1985]

whats the budget?

 

[Accipiter22]

prolly right int he 800 range

 

[HannibalTheCannibal]

the 5700Ultra will get you great frame rates. I play UT2004, Americas Army with all settings maxxed. 4XAA, enabled 1026x764 85hz.
U can probably get one for $70-$100. Mine is autodetected at 540Mhz clock, 1.01Ghz memory!! not bad for midranger
Look at Neweggs refurbished page for steals and deals.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you're looking at about $800 (without monitor/speakers/keyboard/mouse)?

you're probably in good shape if you take the ~$659 system at the system guide thread at the top of this forum and replacing the 9600xt with a 6600gt.

 

[Accipiter22]

i was actually thinkin about that....he don't need a monitor/speakers/keyboard or mouse

 

[nick1985]

PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Case - Antec Sonata $96

NEC DVD-RW $58

Hard Drive - Western Digital 80gig 8meg cache $64

RAM - gig of basic patriot 3200 $127

Motherboard - Chaintech Nforce4 Ultra $113

CPU - Athlon64 3000 socket 939 Winchester $155

Video Card - 6600GT PCI-E $193

Grand Total: $806

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

Well, not exactly a high-end gaming card, but for the lower end of things, it is hard to beat a Gigabyte Radeon 9550 128MB/128Bit card for $67 at NewEgg.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-125-141&depa=1

Or, the 9600Pro Version by Gigabyte if you want to spend a tad more ($99):

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-125-169&depa=1

The 9600Pro version is excellent if you need half-way decent performance (although not on the level of a 6600GT) but don't want to break the bank. The 9550 128/128 is great for very light gaming and if you are are on a shoe-string budget.

Don't bother with any of the GeForce4 MX series cards, both of these aforementioned cards are faster, and DirectX 9 compliant.

 

[veggz]

Originally posted by: nick1985
PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Case - Antec Sonata $96

NEC DVD-RW $58

Hard Drive - Western Digital 80gig 8meg cache $64

RAM - gig of basic patriot 3200 $127

Motherboard - Chaintech Nforce4 Ultra $113

CPU - Athlon64 3000 socket 939 Winchester $155

Video Card - 6600GT PCI-E $193

Grand Total: $806

Looks like a great system for the price.. maybe the Leadtek 6600 GT would be better? I'm not positive but that's the one I got and it's great.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Originally posted by: nick1985
PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Case - Antec Sonata $96

NEC DVD-RW $58

Hard Drive - Western Digital 80gig 8meg cache $64

RAM - gig of basic patriot 3200 $127

Motherboard - Chaintech Nforce4 Ultra $113

CPU - Athlon64 3000 socket 939 Winchester $155

Video Card - 6600GT PCI-E $193

Grand Total: $806

Looks good to me. And will be very quick for a long time