Adequate Sub $100 Video Card?

[mcovalt]

Howdy folks,

I built a computer about a week ago and realized I cheaped out too much on the video card. I have this card now:

Newegg.com - MSI NX8400GS-TD256E GeForce 8400GS Support up to 512M (256MB onboard) 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

I am going to send it back. It is running way too hot. In replacement for it I was looking at the:

Newegg.com - XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

I want to stay in that price range as much as possible ($74.99), should I go with something else. I will be doing a small amount of gaming. My monitor is a 20" 1680x1050.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gurusan]

If you can stretch your budget then this is an amazing card for the money...will play most things at max details
Newegg.com - XFX PVT88SFDF4 GeForce 8800GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

then this next:
Newegg.com - POWERCOLOR X1950PRO512MBAC Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

next would be this:
Newegg.com - MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

lastly, this:
Newegg.com - Foxconn 8600GTS-256 GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[mcovalt]

If you can stretch your budget then this is an amazing card for the money...will play most things at max details
Newegg.com - XFX PVT88SFDF4 GeForce 8800GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh. I want that! But no, too much.

lastly, this:
Newegg.com - Foxconn 8600GTS-256 GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

That is as high as I can go. I am supposed to only spend $60. I am pushing it for $70, let alone $80.

 

[gurusan]

well the 8600GTS is loads better than your 8400gs lol

 

[mcovalt]

Yeah, would an 8500gt be alright, or would I be cutting it to shallow again?
Newegg.com - ASUS EN8500GT TOP/HTP/256M GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
or how about 7600gt?
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[dario03]

At that resolution you would have to set newer games to low. Anything on the level of Crysis wouldn't run to good. However besides Crysis most current games would run decent.

edit: for the 8600gt

 

[nhlrocker]

even a 7900GS KO would work real well man.

 

[mcovalt]

even a 7900GS KO would work real well man.

those are like 150 bucks. Anywho, I am going to try to talk my parents into the Newegg.com - XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail, and if that is to expensive I will settle for either the Newegg.com - MSI NX8500GT-TD256E OC GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail, or the Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail.

 

[gurusan]

try to talk them into this 8600GTS:
Newegg.com - Foxconn 8600GTS-256 GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
It's 80 dollars after rebate.

I would really try to avoid t he 8600GT,8500GT, and 7600GT. They are all really ancient cards

 

[Redmo0n]

The 8500 isn't much better than the 8400. The 8600 is a lot better, but still not the best.