Graphics Card

[jbbrown211]

I would like to get a 128mb card for my build. What is the best card for the $$.

[RenegadeKing]

A radeon 9500 pro or a GF4 ti 4200 8x. Both are very good cards and pretty cheap. I would probably go with the Radeon over the GF4.

[Markoman01027]

Go with what RenegadeKing suggested. But it should be really what you can afford and what your going to use the card for.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Radeon 9500 all the way. Full DX9 support.

[jbbrown211]

This is a high priority piece for me, so I'll probably get it, but just in case I can't swing it pricewise, what's the next best thing?

[Alfie]

Look for ATI 9100 pro or 8500

[jbbrown211]

In buying graphics cards, would it benefit me more buying retail as opposed to OEM. (Keeping in mind this is my first build)

[slwpitch31]

I got Radeon 9000 pro, because I couldn't see GTA III in normal speed. It has been flawless. install was a breeze. Streaming video came alive. The software came with DX9 as well. My decision was partially price based. The card had a RCA output for the tv. Not a necessity but neat for video games.

[jbbrown211]

Did you buy retail or OEM?

[pam123]

Save OEM for your second build.
What's extraneous to the more experienced may be necessary for a first times.

[RenegadeKing]

it depends on what you buy OEM or retail. CPU and motherboard go retail. Honestly, everything else you can go OEM. Most OEM stuff still comes with drivers, and if it doesn't, winXP's drivers will work til u download the real drivers for it. The only reason you might want to go retail on other stuff is for a longer warrenty.

[Alienware_Dude]

I usually go Retail with video cards, as most of them come with an assortment of cool extras(games, utilities, etc.). If only for the bundled software, go Retail.

[jbbrown211]

Thanks for the input. I think retail is the way to go, at least for this.