Searching for a new graphics card...

I'm looking for a new grpahics card for my bro...

He wants something to be able to play UT3 and he has all the requirements except for the graphics card...

He currently has a Radeon 9250...

So I come here to ask for advice...

The computer's slot is a PCI slot, so it can't be an AGP card...

He's also looking for somehting cheap, as in >$100...

Can anyone offer come advice?

he's looking at this card

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9200991&st=ATI+Radeon+9600%2B+Video+Card&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218057381797

Is there any better one that are within his price range?

His spacs are:

Pentium 4 2.5Ghz processor (single core)

768MB of Ram (I forgot the ram type I think it's DDR1 or DDR2)

As for the monitor...I don't know if it can support it...

Pci-express right? then go for a gtx 260. its only a little bit above the 9800gtx+(gtx 250). and the gtx 260 is a whole different generation so its worth it.

Also, the gtx 260 has almost 1gb of memory(900) and has faster physx. pick one up for about $250.

MSI R4830-T2D512 Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail$94.99

Pci-express right? then go for a gtx 260. its only a little bit above the 9800gtx+(gtx 250). and the gtx 260 is a whole different generation so its worth it.

stormfuzz

Wow...seems like a nice card...but a tad bit expensive...he's looking for something under $100...

lol sorry didnt see the $100. then the 9600gt would be good for you. about $100. Here is a link at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130424

MSI R4830-T2D512 Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail$94.99

kaitanuvax

Did...did I read that correctly?

it can play GTA4 AND Crisis?

In that case...it's perfect...

[QUOTE="stormfuzz"]

Pci-express right? then go for a gtx 260. its only a little bit above the 9800gtx+(gtx 250). and the gtx 260 is a whole different generation so its worth it.

EpsilonZX

Wow...seems like a nice card...but a tad bit expensive...he's looking for something under $100...

Go 4830... what are the rest of his specs? 4830 is defo best bang for buck in your bro's case

He has a regular pci slot, so none of those cards will fit nor work.

umm... the 4830 probably cannot play crysis at the highest. My old 9800gtx+ kind of struggled at high resolutions atvery high on crysis.

Can you list your motherboard if possible? you listed a pci-express graphics card but we are not sure if you have just regular pci.

Hmmm is it definately just a PCI and not PCI x16 TC? I assumed you just shortened what you were writing... if it's just PCI go with the HD2400 Pro? I dunno how it performs game wise

SPARKLE SP94GT512D2LHPP GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card - Retail$74.99

If PCI.

try a BFG tech 6200 overclocked edition, i used to use one (but in an AGP system) and it play World in conflict on low settings, and few other games. plus with riva tuner you can overclock ita bit more just to squeeze a little more proformance out of it. and it will only run you like 40 bucks maybe less.

here i found a couple for you, these look to be the best for your money... im unsure of sparkle but EVGA has some of the best customer support ever.

EVGA 8500GS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130451

EVGA 6200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130289

Sparkle 9400GT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187058

Yah, if it's just PCI, try checking into some of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609642%204027&bop=And&Order=PRICED

There's more on other sites too, but neweggs seems fair with most of their prices. ;)

Yah, if it's just PCI, try checking into some of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609642%204027&bop=And&Order=PRICED

There's more on other sites too, but neweggs seems fair with most of their prices. ;)

nightz2k

:lol: I just realised you was on ocn....recognised the "Denob" mispelling :p

And ontopic, 9400gt should play it on low settings.

:lol: I just realised you was on ocn....recognised the "Denob" mispelling :p

And ontopic, 9400gt should play it on low settings.

beefdog

lol That's getting fixed. ;) I never noticed it before. doh! :o (EDIT: Fixed, love PSCS4)

I'm sorry guys...I don't know...the computer is old (6-7 years old) and we bought the graphics card about 4 years ago...

The user manual din't say anything about the specs of the computer and all the computer said was that it was a PCI slot, it didn't say if it was a PCI express or not

and looking up the card didn't give any info either...

I'm assuming that it's a regular PCI because the Hardware Manager said it's a PCI not a PCIe...

As for the specs...

Pentium 4 Processor 2.5Ghz (Single Core) w/ 768MB of RAM (capable of 1GB)

The Monitor is a Plug and Play Monitor

Curent Graphics Card is a Radeon 9250 (believed to be a PCI)

Disregard what I said...just saw this:

If you really want to game, you might as well just build a completely new computer for $400-$500.

I wouldn't invest any more money on that PC. UT3 requires a fairly fast CPU and a decent amount of RAM. There's no point in updating an ageing computer with a new GPU if you aren't going to upgrade the rest of it. I personally think a Radeon 4670 would be a better choice for that PC.

I wouldn't invest any more money on that PC. UT3 requires a fairly fast CPU and a decent amount of RAM. There's no point in updating an ageing computer with a new GPU if you aren't going to upgrade the rest of it. I personally think a Radeon 4670 would be a better choice for that PC.

BlueBirdTS

I completely agree with you. This system is much to dated to add any serious hardware to it. It is becoming harder and harder to find vcs that are not pci-e. And on top of that, most modern cards require at least a 500w psu, and if your upgrading your psu and vc, then you might as well upgrade the rest, at least get a new processor.