What would be ...?

[NedClocker]

What would be a good video card for my son's first gaming computer build? He doesn't want to spend $200 on just the card, but he does want a good card. Anybody have some suggestions? :)

[chrome-187]

the 256mb 3850 for $170 or the 3850 512mb for 200....im sorry i will not suggest any other card that will not play games that well....those are pretty cheap for wat they can do

[baggedmazda]

if he can send a little more than that the 3870 but the 3850 are hard to beat for the money

[Caust1c]

agreed. 3850 IMHO

[chevro1et]

Make sure that you check the classifieds on the forum here as well, lotsa good stuff runs through there at fair prices.

[grndragon57]

What games does he play and what is his price range?

[NedClocker]

He plays WOW and BattleField 4. He also has Call of Duty 2.

He wants to spend as little as possible but I keep telling him that if he gets a cheap video card, it will be a bottle neck for him. Is that correct? The processor will be a Q6600.

There's one game he has that will not run on the computer he's using because the vid card is not good enough. I thinks it's BattleField 2.

[grndragon57]

For under $200 The 3850 that has been suggested is the best. IF he would spend a little more the 3870

[NedClocker]

Can you tell the difference between the 256 meg and 512 meg 3850? How much difference does the extra memory make?

[vixro]

Depends on the resolution and graphics quality being ran. Up to certain resolutions with maxed out settings the cards can be identical. Once you cross the barrier of having too little memory you will see major slowdowns. What resolution does he play at?

[orion456]

He plays WOW and BattleField 4. He also has Call of Duty 2.

He wants to spend as little as possible but I keep telling him that if he gets a cheap video card, it will be a bottle neck for him. Is that correct? The processor will be a Q6600.

There's one game he has that will not run on the computer he's using because the vid card is not good enough. I thinks it's BattleField 2.

If he can afford a quad, then he needs the 3850 at least to match it. No use buying something that in a short time will disappoint. I don't think you can beat the 3850 for price/performance.

[White_Pawn]

try to get the 3850 512mb. If not... 3850 256mb // 8800GT 256mb is the lowest i'd go.

If you wait a bit, the 8800GS will be released shortly, and it is supposed to be cheap, but don't expect very much from it. The bus on the 8800GS and lack of SP/ROP kills it. (although it is still better than a 8600GT/GTS 7900GS x1950pro.)

[NedClocker]

If he can afford a quad, then he needs the 3850 at least to match it. No use buying something that in a short time will disappoint. I don't think you can beat the 3850 for price/performance.

Is there another proc that would provide better bang for the buck?

I mean, what would be a minimum processor a gamer would want?

The Dual Cores are not very much cheaper than the quads.

[NedClocker]

try to get the 3850 512mb. If not... 3850 256mb // 8800GT 256mb is the lowest i'd go.

If you wait a bit, the 8800GS will be released shortly, and it is supposed to be cheap, but don't expect very much from it. The bus on the 8800GS and lack of SP/ROP kills it. (although it is still better than a 8600GT/GTS 7900GS x1950pro.)

The x1950 PRO is not much good any more? I have one but all I've ever really used it for is Folding @ Home.

[chrome-187]

stay with the quad core if you dont plan on upgrading for awhile...games are going to be utilizing all 4 cores to help with game performance...alot of the new games already have quad core support...as for the video card...there is a 2900 pro at newegg with 512mb of ram and its 512 bit...it performs as good as the 3870 for $100 cheaper...its is $160...if he's only going to be running one video card...this card is best bang for the buck of all the video cards listed...here is your link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102706 this card outperforms the 3850...and is dead on with the 3870....and when o/ced beats the 3870...if you plan on getting this card i'd do it fast cuz these are limited quantity...when they're gone they're gone...

[BossBorot]

^ beat me to it :)

anyways before jumping on it know that it is harder to get aftermarket heatsinks for the r600 and it will consume more power then the other cards mentioned. If you are fine with that then the 2900pro is definately your best bet at this time.

[reboot]

45 nm dual cores are coming out in week or two, they do 4+ ghz on air cooling, pair one of those with a 3870 or 8800GT 512.

Quad cores are not being used in games, by the time they are you will want to upgrade already.

thats my 2 cents.

[BossBorot]

remember that this is for his kids computer so he just needs something good enough to get by but not so bad that he will have to upgrade again to soon.

[orion456]

there is a 2900 pro at newegg with 512mb of ram and its 512 bit...it performs as good as the 3870 for $100 cheaper...its is $160...if he's only going to be running one video card...this card is best bang for the buck of all the video cards listed...

That card is LOUD and HOT and it guzzles fuel like an F15, which the 3870/50 was specifically designed to avoid. Silence is golden after a short time with a 2900.

[NedClocker]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help.