video card - it's that time

[adams]

Well I guess it is time to get a new video card since it won't support Need For Speed Most Wanted.

I need it to be agp and preferrably under $100, even more preferrably way less than $100.

anyways, it can have vga only or vga and dvi, doesn't really matter. you think 128mb is enough or should I go for 256mb? this is about the only game I'll be playing and more racing games in the future. need to know anything else?

So what does everyone recommend?

Thanks.

[PCTech]

Well I can tell you what I just went with, but its more than 100$ and is PCIe

I went with the 6800 GS from newegg.com ($209.00 free shipping) and it plays Battlefield 2 on MAX Detail on EVERYTHING @ 1024x768 with no problem, and need for speed most wanted was choppy but playable on my older FX5900 AGP Card. Which is why I upgraded, it was only 128mb where as this PCIe card is 256 and like really fast.

If I was you I would go with one of the 256mb 6600 models, just make sure it has the DDR2 or DDR3 Ram with it, if its the normal DDR DONT BUY IT, I repeat DONT BUY IT. Plain DDR is very slow and doesn't perform when compared to the same card with DDR3 in it!

So they have the 6600GT DDR3 at tigerdirect.com for like 99.95$ or something, really good price, but if you can hold out or dont mind spending a little more get PCIe if you can!

But I have to agree, NFS:MW, is a kick arse game!

my 2 cents

[adams]

well I can't go PCIe as I don't have the slot, but there ain't no way I can spend $200 on just a video card.

I'll look at the tigerdirect one though.

edit: well at least I'll be able to make it through Thanksgiving cause I got it working with the 71.84 drivers for the card.

[PCTech]

check out tomshardwareguide.com, they have graphics card section, when I find the link to there AGP Card reviews I will post it and they have reviewed all the cards, I can tell you this though, the 6600 is a decent card at the lower resolutions, just dont turn up the detail all the way and try to kill the card!

Just one thing though when you do get your card make sure it has DDR2 or DDR3 ram as its a big difference in proformance! Thats the only thing you should really be concerned, as a DDR1 256mb 6600 card is slower and weaker than its cousin the DDR3 256mb 6600 and the DDR3 one costs about the same or less!


I shop here, the list is in ORDER as to where I go first,

stores.tomshardware.com (comparrision shopping at its best!)
www.newegg.com
www.zipzoomfly.com
www.tigerdirect.com
www.pricewatch.com


thats where I get my stuff from when I buy, really check out the store at tomshardwareguide, they have a REALLY NICE comparison tool!

[adams]

how is this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161158

I've never heard of this brand but I read some reviews (of this brand, not the specific card) and they said the brand was good.

[adams]

well I ended up getting a XFX GeForce 6200 for $99 plus tax and it came with a controller and the full version of FarCry at SamsClub last night.