Due to a recent accident, the motherboard in my main computer (the eMachines mentioned in my sig) burnt, and I need a replacement. Provided my processor and RAM are fine (my drives are fine, I've tested them, but have no way of testing the processor or RAM stick yet), I should be fine getting an equivalent combination of motherboard and video card. I was using the integrated 64MB Intel Extreme Graphics 3D from the motherboard, but that's gone now, so I'm trying to find a cheap, good videocard to replace it.
I've been browsing NewEgg.com for suitable replacements and have found a few I'm considering. I'm going for the most bang for the buck (I figure as long as I'm at it, I'll try to upgrade a little, but staying within a moderate range so I don't go out of my compatibilities).
Finding a motherboard with equal or better features is cake, but it's the video I'm worrying about. I want to get a 128 MB AGP card, but I don't have much of an idea where else to start. I've got $40 to $50 set aside for the motherboard (haven't picked out the exact one yet but NewEgg's got a lot of promising ones for cheap). I'd like to find an AGP vid card for $55 or less, with 128 MB, standard single VGA port, and preferrably a TV-out port, but I don't want something that's gonna crap out on me or wont be reliable at all. I've heard it's best to avoid SE types, but if there's nothing else, that's what I'll go with.
The only games I play are Ragnarok Online, Halo, and Red Alert 2 (all of which worked flawlessly with my old setup), thus I don't need anything fancy... just want basic functionality.
So, any tips for brands or series or specific cards? I'll keep looking and post what I've decided on later, maybe I can get some opinions on that...?
I've been browsing NewEgg.com for suitable replacements and have found a few I'm considering. I'm going for the most bang for the buck (I figure as long as I'm at it, I'll try to upgrade a little, but staying within a moderate range so I don't go out of my compatibilities).
Finding a motherboard with equal or better features is cake, but it's the video I'm worrying about. I want to get a 128 MB AGP card, but I don't have much of an idea where else to start. I've got $40 to $50 set aside for the motherboard (haven't picked out the exact one yet but NewEgg's got a lot of promising ones for cheap). I'd like to find an AGP vid card for $55 or less, with 128 MB, standard single VGA port, and preferrably a TV-out port, but I don't want something that's gonna crap out on me or wont be reliable at all. I've heard it's best to avoid SE types, but if there's nothing else, that's what I'll go with.
The only games I play are Ragnarok Online, Halo, and Red Alert 2 (all of which worked flawlessly with my old setup), thus I don't need anything fancy... just want basic functionality.
So, any tips for brands or series or specific cards? I'll keep looking and post what I've decided on later, maybe I can get some opinions on that...?