cheap Video Card

[Doobie]

I’m thinking of upgrading my current Video Card which is a Radeon 7500. Can anyone recommend one that is less then $101.00 USD or should I just stick with the one I have. It plays everything that I have tried to play but since I have some extra cash I was thinking of upgrading. It can be 8X or 4X AGP.

I saw this on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-125-120&depa=0

what do you guys think?

[bmrmrb]

alot of people have said the SE is a cheap imatation of the "real" card. check out this link... (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1933&p=1). i think most people will recomend going for a lesser model number but a Pro or XT if you can afford it.

[nocturnx]

The 9600 SE is a very good budget card and for only $75, you cant beat that. For your price range I recommend it.

[Doobie]

thanks for the advice...

[HAL9000]

I'll second the 9200SE.. while not a heavy duty card, it's a decent cheap upgrade from what you have.

[Doobie]

should i look for a card that uses a fan for cooling instead of just a heatsink? or does it even matter?

[Doobie]

ok found this on pricegrabber.

should i go for the first or this one?
http://www.emicrox.com/eShop/Product.aspx?seid=4&pid=831064

its only 4x but my computer is has 4x i just wanted the 8x for future upgrades.

[nocturnx]

Well a fan would provide better cooling but for the 9600 SE I dont think you will have a problem with heat. Is your case well ventilated? A couple case fans and good air movement? If so your fine.

[Doobie]

yeah it has pretty good ventalation and its cool here most of the year.

[nocturnx]

That link is to a 8500 AIW. It is not as good as a 9600 SE. Do you need an All-In-Wonder card? Are you doing video editing or just playing games and watching movies?

[Doobie]

i dont really need a AIW card because i have a pinnacle TV Tuner card i was just curious if it was better.

[kram 2.0]

I have been very reluctant in recommending ATI SE series, as they have are underperformed cards of the regular or Pro versions. But they do make nice budget cards - if you may need to save money for other componenets. I will recommend widening your video card budget, but if you can't, I will recommend the GeForce 4 Ti4200 around 90 USD. It seems to me that that has been GeForce's best card series in a while, and yet, its support for games everyday is pretty impressive.

Hope that helps,
kram

[nocturnx]

I have not seen Ti-4200's that cheap but if you can find one those are good too. Those are probly about the same as an 9600 SE except a 9600 SE is directx 9 and Ti-4200s are not. I would still go with the 9600 SE myself.

[Doobie]

i wanted to stick with ATI since i have had no problems with the one i have... Ok lets say i add an extra $50 could i get a better card... if so what would you get?

[nocturnx]

The ATi 9600 Pro for $139. Its much better and the best bang for the buck.

[bmrmrb]

yep. if you read that link then they think it's the best performing "budget" card. should get mine delivered thursday... :D