Low-end video cards

[ohGrFreak]

So I was trying to overclock my lowly eVga 6200 and nothing I tried would work, so I'm stuck playing Need For Speed Most Wanted, and HL2 on the lowest settings with all eye candy turned off. To tell you the truth, my ancient FX5200 works better than a 6200.

Then my fiancee (bless her heart) asked me what I wanted for Xmas and suggested a new video card. Problem is, there's a 80 dollar limit.

I had my eye on some 6600 series cards and ATI X1300 series cards. Shoot, I may even be happy with a ATI 9800Pro if it's better than my 6200 I have now.

My only requirements are AGP 4x/8x, at least a step up from a 6200, and under 80 dollars, well, 85 if you want to include shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130262

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814195027

 

[maroon1]

Both of them suck, and they are too old

Get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150198

It cost $87.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate

The 7300GT is good overcloker as well


If you can pay a little more then get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145135

 

[ohGrFreak]

I've actually had the 7300GT's newegg page saved in my brower's favorites for quite a while now. But I think both of those cards will be out of the question due to the (up front) price.

Does anyone have suggestions on how well, or the opposite of well, either a 9800Pro or 6600LE will perform compared to a 6200? I just want smooth play at medium settings.

 

[maroon1]

9800pro will perform better than both 6200 and 6600LE but not by a lot. You will not see a bid difference.

I strongly recommend to upgrade to at least 7600GS

Edit: the geforce 6200 should play HL2 on medium or even on high setting.

What driver do you have ?

get this driver
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_91.47.html

Did you try to overclock your video card ?

 

[ricanflow]

I would suggest at least the 7300gt, even if you have to pay the difference get it because it lets me run call of duty 2 on high at 1440x900 with aa2x and shadows off, and theres no lag whatsoever.

 

[ohGrFreak]

Been browsing some more video cards, and I found a couple I like, a 6800XT and a 7300GT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145139

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814141038

My budget moved up to 110 tops including shipping.

Any suggestions on these cards?

 

[Nukem]

I would go for the 6800XT myself.

 

[maroon1]

Get 7300GT, because it is newer and it has newer features

The 7300GT has a slow memory but you can easily overclock it


Also, you can get XFX 7300GT for $84.99 after Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150198

Also, you can get 6800XT with 256bit memory interface for $109.99 after Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150157

 

[Apokalipse]

sell the 6200, use your 5200 for now, and use the extra money to go towards the video card.

 

[ohGrFreak]

I had a plain jane 6800 unlocked and oc'd to ultra and it was amazing. I am always weary about new video cards ever since I got the 6200 and found out it's performence is so close to my 5200.

I plan to do no overclocking with the new card, whichever I end up with.

I'll check out the other suggestions for sure.

I'm selling the 6200, but that money will be used for a new build I'm working on.