Good cheap video card?

NoxNoctum · Dec 23, 2009

I'm still running on my old Geforce 7900 GS, which, even in DH, is lacking (only get like 30-40 FPS consistently on 1024x768!)

So I'm looking for a cheap mid range card to tide me over till I can get something real fancy for ROHOS... two games I have in mind are ARMA 2 (still not sure if I want to buy it...) and BFBC2 (which I'm pretty sure about). I don't need to play the latter on maxed out or anything, but I'd like a card that can handle medium settings on 1280 res.

Any suggestions?

Ideally something not more or much more than $100.

Also, not a hardware geek at all so I'm too knowledgeable about this, but is there a problem with bottlenecking since I'm running on a fairly old 6400 Intel Core Duo @ 2.13ghz and only have 2 gigs of ram? Should I be more concerned about upgrading my RAM or CPU than my video card?

thanks

Peter.Steele · Dec 23, 2009

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127451R&cm_re=4870-_-14-127-451R-_-Product

There you go. Open Box / Refurb MSI Radeon 4870 1GB. $116 + ~$7.50 S&H. Probably the best deal you'll get. I've got a Visiontek 4870 512, got it right when they hit the shelves, and it still rocks. I blast through Crysis, RO, KF, Empire: Total War, etc. It takes enough power to make my UPS scream for overload mercy - literally - but it makes games scream just as loud, too.

Flogger23m · Dec 24, 2009

The HD 4870 1GB is indeed a great card, not sure about an open box though.

As for ArmA 2, that kills my GTX 260, 4GB RAM, and AMD 9950 quad core at max settings. And really kills it. But it will run if you lower the settings.

Your CPU will be fine to. Do you have Vista/Win 7 64bit? If so, I'd also get another 2GB of RAM. If XP/32bit, then maybe upgrade to 3GB.

NoxNoctum · Dec 24, 2009

Hey that link says it's deactivated and there's no purchase option, am I missing something?

Thanks for the recommendation though, looks like just what I'm looking for.

Zetsumei · Dec 24, 2009

ArmA2 runs better on ATI.

I would go for a 5750 or 5770 when on a budget.
They are close to the 4850 & 4870 but with dx11 and less heat (more oc potential )

SgtH3nry3 · Dec 24, 2009

For ArmA 2 at high resolutions (i.e. 1600x1200 or higher) and framerates above 20 FPS you will want a HD 5850 or faster.

Dcode · Dec 24, 2009

NoxNoctum said:
I'm still running on my old Geforce 7900 GS, which, even in DH, is lacking (only get like 30-40 FPS consistently on 1024x768!)

So I'm looking for a cheap mid range card to tide me over till I can get something real fancy for ROHOS... two games I have in mind are ARMA 2 (still not sure if I want to buy it...) and BFBC2 (which I'm pretty sure about). I don't need to play the latter on maxed out or anything, but I'd like a card that can handle medium settings on 1280 res.

Any suggestions?

Ideally something not more or much more than $100.

Also, not a hardware geek at all so I'm too knowledgeable about this, but is there a problem with bottlenecking since I'm running on a fairly old 6400 Intel Core Duo @ 2.13ghz and only have 2 gigs of ram? Should I be more concerned about upgrading my RAM or CPU than my video card?

thanks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131163&cm_re=4850-_-14-131-163-_-Product

Touch faster than a 8800GTX which will be more than twice as fast as a 7900GS and it fits your budget.

Peter.Steele · Dec 24, 2009

NoxNoctum said:
Hey that link says it's deactivated and there's no purchase option, am I missing something?

Thanks for the recommendation though, looks like just what I'm looking for.

Sorry about that .... guess it was such a good deal that they sold out.

Speirs · Dec 24, 2009

I just got a Radeon 4890 for about ~160 after the rebates. I don't know if that is too much for you but it kicks ***.

On Fallout 3 I hit optimal settings and it set it to Ultra High. Every game I've tried so far looks great, and runs great.

NoxNoctum · Dec 26, 2009

Would a 4850 be good enough to handle ROHOS on medium settings (I know it's not out yet... but there are many probably comparable Unreal engine 3 games out now)

What about BFBC2?

The $109 price tag really appeals to me

.

Dcode · Dec 26, 2009

I was able to max out UT3 at 1920x1200 no AA with a 8800GTX and keep the frame rates above 60.

A 4850 will have no problem. If your gaming at 1280x1024 then you might even be able to use some AA.

If you can it would help you a lot if you overclocked that CPU to around 3 Ghz.

NoxNoctum · Dec 26, 2009

Cool, thanks for the input.

Will there be any price drops in the near future in the graphics card market? (due to new releases)?

Tomcat_ha · Dec 26, 2009

well the problem is currently the demand is very high and the supply isnt. The new ati's have about the same yield as the gt200 had at launch and those didnt sell nearly as well.

Peter.Steele · Dec 26, 2009

HIS Radeon 4670 1GB, $74.99 w/free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...MC-IGNEFL122609-_-VideoCards-_-L0B-_-14161287

HIS H577FM1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
New Arrival
$162.99
Your Price: $152.99
With Promo Code
EMCMNNT82

Sapphire 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB GDDR5 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$144.99
Your Price: $129.99
With Promo Code
EMCMNNT79

Flogger23m · Dec 26, 2009

Nvidia will be releasing their new stuff soon. Then the price war will start. ATI hasn't lowered the prices (they have actually gone up) in part because of demand, and in part because there is no competition.

When Nvidia brings out their stuff, that will change.

Might be best to wait 2 or so months.

NoxNoctum · Dec 26, 2009

Wow Pete, what a deal, getting it now!! thanks!

Now I just need to get a PSU powerful enough to support it and one that has the necessary connectors... any suggestions?

Tomcat_ha · Dec 26, 2009

NoxNoctum said:
Wow Pete, what a deal, getting it now!! thanks!

Now I just need to get a PSU powerful enough to support it and one that has the necessary connectors... any suggestions?

i suggest to get an modular one for ease of handling.

If you find silence important then look here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

i personally got a Seasonic M12D 850W. Its very silent, infact currently the loudest part of my computer is my cpu fan.

SgtH3nry3 · Dec 27, 2009

The ATI HD 5750 and HD 5770 use about as much power as the nVidia 7900 series afaik. I don't think you'll need a new PSU, apart from the PCI Express connectors though.

KrazyKraut · Dec 27, 2009

NoxNoctum said:
Wow Pete, what a deal, getting it now!! thanks!

Now I just need to get a PSU powerful enough to support it and one that has the necessary connectors... any suggestions?

Try it on the old PSU first would be my advice as well (there's adapters for most connectors, sometimes they ship them with the gfx card even). I'm running a 4870 on a fairly old and weak PSU just fine.

SgtH3nry3 · Dec 27, 2009

KrazyKraut said:
Try it on the old PSU first would be my advice as well (there's adapters for most connectors, sometimes they ship them with the gfx card even). I'm running a 4870 on a fairly old and weak PSU just fine.

Exactly, the newer generation ATI hardware is made for lower power usage, lower thermal design power and much lower idle power usage.

You might want to buy one of those when the price goes down (availability problems atm causing high pricing), it'll also make your PC a tad more futureproof.

Good cheap video card?

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran

Grizzled Veteran