Best graphics card for $120 or less

[drewthomas14]

im going to get a new graphics card to replace my gefroce 2mx400 and i need a graphics card for $120 or less with a link to it

 

[geldib]

ATI Radeon 8500 LE 128MB DVI/CRT/TV $94 + shipping http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

Gainward Geforce4 Ti4200 3.5ns 64MB CRT Only $122 + shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

I say go with the Ti4200.....

 

[Yodums]

Is it possible you go slightly above your budget? For around your budget, I'd get a Ti4200: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=4200

Gainward there is 122.00 but I would probably pick MSI. Seems to be the best deal there, the other ones are outrageous IMHO.

 

[geldib]

Yeah I agree spend a little more. I did and I'm happy.... but I need a new rig to really get my card working....

 

[WeaponX]

Why not wait a bit for a new line of video cards to come out?

 

[DipStickTony]

Well what card do you have now ? If its decent and you can hold the next gen cards will lower the current vid cards even more. If you are using a tnt2 or something then consider one of the following:

Dunno what kind of system you have but any info would help.
8500le ~ 95$
ti4200 ~ 120$

or a good mx440 with 8gig mem bandwidth not the cheapo 6.4gig or lite versions. They offer decent performance and can play any game today and cost around 70$. I would highly recommend the 8500le over the mx440 unless you really need to pinch some pennies.

 

[Maxvla]

8500's are 80 bucks.

dunno about the 4200's nowdays. but if you could scrape a few dollars i would probably go with the 4200. the performance difference and overclockablilty is quite clear.

 

[oops]

before you decided on video card, you may think about your CPU's limitation
(one of my friend got 2000 points on 3dmark2001SE with a Geforce3 Ti500 on a PII system...told him not to....wouldn't believe me).

If that's not a problem for the latest video cards, then...

I think the Geforce4 Ti4200 is the best choice. I had a Radeon 8500(original built by ATI 275/550), before I had that Ti4200, I didn't believe it would give such a big jump in 3dmark score over 8500 retail. My Radeon 8500's highest 3dmark2001SE score was 10064(with [email protected]),
http://service.madonion.com/compare?2k1=3808986


and now my Ti4200 64MB gives me 13000 points.(with [email protected])
http://service.madonion.com/compare?2k1=5094572

 

[Lithan]

I would wait a bit and save up some cash. Frankly I dont see the point in a gamer buying anything with less than 128megs ram these days. If you wanna buy now, get a radeon 128meg 8500le (make sure its not the sapphire/crucial 6ns ram version). That's what I did. I'll let you know how it fairs when it gets here tomorrow or thursday.

If you wait... I'd grab a ti4600 as soon as you see one for < $175, or else wait until the next nvidia chipsets released (nv30?), then once the geforce 4 prices settle down pick it up (I'd guess it'd be 100-125$ then, likely 2-3 months after the Geforce 5's are out.)


Edit: And the reason I didn't recommend a 4200 128meg is that they cost ~50$ more than the radeon and from the benches I've seen get you 0-10% gains (usually around 10, though a few games seem to actually favor the radeon, dont ask me to say which, they are few and far between and I can't remember them.)

I actually like nvidia cards. Ever since I upgraded my g200 8meg agp to a tnt2 32meg I've used nvidia. I got the 8500 cause I got a good price and hell, I wanted to see how ATI stacked up to Nvidia in the gamers market. (My buddy has a ti4200 pny 64meg I'll try and borrow to bench @ stock speed with my radeon @ stock speed. I'm not gonna try and sell him on letting me overclock it... sorry folks.)

 

[nut581]

I agree w/ Lithan, wait a little more and you can grab any GF4 card at even lower price. I bought a TI4200 128 mb like 3 months ago, and now the same card sells for $20 less .. urghh ...

 

[Lithan]

Actually Nut, that's not too bad. I bought a shuttle mobo and 1800+ 4 months ago for something like $150 and just sold the mobo for 50$ (with a 3c905b that easily sells for 15$) so 35$, and I'm figuring I can probably get around 75$ for the cpu. SO I took twice the loss. (Of course we all know cpu's hold their value probably the least of all comp equipment.)

 

[Bon3thugz43v3r]

Christmas is right around the corner, just wait!
All prices will go down around christmas, but after that I wouldnt bet on buying anything cept a new amd chip

 

[PreservedSwine]

Actually Nut, that's not too bad. I bought a shuttle mobo and 1800+ 4 months ago for something like $150 and just sold the mobo for 50$ (with a 3c905b that easily sells for 15$) so 35$, and I'm figuring I can probably get around 75$ for the cpu. SO I took twice the loss. (Of course we all know cpu's hold their value probably the least of all comp equipment.)

Dang- where did you sell it, I'd of grabbed that in a second!

 

[Namagomi]

Why not wait a bit for a new line of video cards to come out?

There is ALWAYS a new line of hardware comming out man. Sometimes, you just have to buy.

 

[OC-Master]

GF3 TI 200 128MB or ATI Radeon 8500 LE 128MB. Both are there and you cant go wrong with them.


OC-Master

 

[OC Noob]

You still out there Drew?

Tons of great suggestions, have you decided yet?

 

[drewthomas14]

i want to get a radeon 8500le 128mb but am having a hard time getting a retail one. if i get one i will use it untill i can get a ti4600 for around 150 or so.

 

[OC Noob]

If you do that you'll spend $270 total. Why not get an 9700 Pro or get a 9700 or 9500 pro when they are out. It won't be much of a wait.

Or even just get the Ti 4600 for a little over $200 so you can enjoy it now and save a few bucks too?

 

[drewthomas14]

im getting it for christmas. plus i can use the ati 8500le in another computer i build. i need to find the 8500le though can anyone find me a link for a retail one.

 

[OC-Master]

im getting it for christmas. plus i can use the ati 8500le in another computer i build. i need to find the 8500le though can anyone find me a link for a retail one.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...5&sku_id=0665000FS10013768&catid=&newdeptid=1


I believe this is exactly what you wanted. You better hurry, hence the sale ends November 30th!

BTW, thats the Canadian price.


OC-Master