Need a cheap graphics card...$100 or less.

S

static93x

CAG Veteran
Hi all, I will start with what I have...

My computer is an HP a1630n which has the following:
AMD Athlon 64x2 4600+ 2.4 GHz
2gb 4200 ram (upgraded to 3gb)
250gb hard drive
ATI Radeon x1650 PRO
500w power supply


I'm not using it for much more than internet, Photoshop Elements, and Counter Strike Source.

I just picked up Left 4 Dead 2 which I want to run at decent settings. My processor crapped out on me due to my own stupidity...too hot and a fan failure.

I am replacing the CPU with an AMD Athlon 64x2 5600+ 2.9GHz Brisbane that runs at only 65w...also considering a 6000+, but it has a Windsor core. I will probably OC it as well.

I'm replacing the HSF with a Dynatron A48G 70mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler and I'm replacing the case fan with a 92mm VANTEC TD9238H fan...I figure those upgrades will get me a better functioning computer for only $100.


Now my question for all of you is this:

What graphics card will be an upgrade from my x1650 PRO that has HDMI and will work better with CCS and L4D2 along with future games I may want to try. I don't need top settings, but I'd like to run the games pretty high. The reason I would like to have HDMI is for future upgrades to the computer to turn it into a HTPC by swapping the DVD for a BD drive and upgrading to 4gb's of 6400 RAM along with upgrading to Windows 7 64-bit and a new case (something cheap). Eventually this setup will be in the home theater and I will have a new system for gaming/photoshop....that won't be for a few years though.

I know that starting with a fresh build would be smartest, but I want to work with what I have. A little at a time.

I was looking at some resources online for comparisions and what not, but I want some actual opinions from what people are using...help me out...would a 4650 or 4670 be enough would would I want something more? What about the 9600 GT or 9800 GT?

Thanks for any help I can get.
Mike
 
I have 8 PCs at home and I do at lot of volunteer IT with games.

Nvidia 6600 and up are great for games. You can run L4D 2 with max settings on all cards from 6600 and up.

Best bet would be to start here - http://www.pricewatch.com/

You can get a 9600 GT for as low as 40 to 60 bucks brand new (may come with some free games to boot).

At home I have a PC with 6600 running XP - 2.7 Ghz CPU and 5 Gbs of RAM - L4D 2 runs like water with max settings @ 1024 x 768.

I also have another PC with a 9600 GT running XP/Linux - 4.89 Ghz CPU and 8 Gbs of RAM runs L4D 2 with ease on any resolution.

Good luck - Hope this helps,
Megazell
 
The Nvidia 9 series price has plummeted the past few months and they can play most of whats out there (including LFD2 and HON and anything else i've thrown at my 9500 GT) and you can get them as Megazell said, for anywhere from 40-60 (Got my 9500 GT for 48 shipped a few months back)
 
Thanks for the responses...guess I'd be pretty safe looking into the 9600 GT then....thanks a lot. I hope to be back up and gaming again shortly...nice bonus with 10% cash back from Newegg with bing too.
 
OK, I made my purchase...$197.95 shipped for the AMD Athlon 64x2 5600+ Brisbane 2.9GHz processor, Dynatron A48G 70mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler, Vantec 92mm case fan, and GIGABYTE GV-N96TZL-512I GeForce 9600 GT card...I get $19.20 back because I used bing.com (10% back), plus the video card had a $20 mail-in rebate. All and all I'm getting all of this for a little over $150. I can't wait to get this all installed.

My only concern now will be to upgrade the case, memory, and Windows...but those can wait for a few months.
 
Are you limited to a 70mm CPU fan? I would try and upgrade the aluminum cooler to at least something you can bolt a 92 mm fan to. You'll move a lot more heat that way.
 
[quote name='static93x']OK, I made my purchase...$197.95 shipped for the AMD Athlon 64x2 5600+ Brisbane 2.9GHz processor, Dynatron A48G 70mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler, Vantec 92mm case fan, and GIGABYTE GV-N96TZL-512I GeForce 9600 GT card...I get $19.20 back because I used bing.com (10% back), plus the video card had a $20 mail-in rebate. All and all I'm getting all of this for a little over $150. I can't wait to get this all installed.

My only concern now will be to upgrade the case, memory, and Windows...but those can wait for a few months.[/QUOTE]

I went to a computer show this summer passed here in NYC. I was able to get this case for $30.

24gm4ya.jpg


Take a look @ your local computer shows. Cases are always cheaper at the shows.

I would use Pricewatch for the memory and as for Windows...I would suggest if you have not already start getting familiar with Linux. Check out this link - http://linux.strangegamer.com/index.php?title=Main_Page- ...also many of the Free and Legal PC Games that I post are on Linux.

Outside of Thrift stores that sell tech. I don't know anyway to get Windows OS on the cheap.

But it's probably me. I refuse to spend anything over $20 for software. I was lucky to get a copy of Windows XP Profressional for $19.99 from a local thrift shop but they really don't know what they had in there shhhh :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top