Best PCX videocard for under $125?

[Staz]

I have a portable gaming system (mATX, not laptop) that I plan on sneaking into work so I can play games at night, but need a better videocard than the Georce 6150 that comes built into the mobo.

I mainly play RTS games and the system has a A64 3000+ CPU, but I like to play the games at my monitors native 1280x1024, and my current 6150 with 64MB shared RAM just isn't cutting it.

While I could spend upto $125, would prefer something cheaper as I don't need a ton of power for RTS games. Used or open box is fine with me.

Also, for compairson reasons, what stand alone card would be approx the same power as my built-in 6150 with 64MB shared RAM?

 

[adairusmc]

You can get a 7300GT that is a little more than half of your $125 budget, and would get the job done.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130026

 

[Powermoloch]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102688

You can't go wrong with the x850xt..it obliterates any card at this price range.

I own both x850xt agp and x850xt pci e (same card as the link...soon to be power up tomorrow). It's wonderful.

 

[Staz]

I have an X850XT AGP in my main system (grumbles because I paid $350 for it a year ago), but I know it needs a lot of power, and I will only have a 330W Antec True Power PSU in this system.

Would prefer something that is fairly quite. Active cooling is fine, but not a huge fan like in the X850XT and something that also doesn't take quite as much power.

Looking at Newegg, I see a lot of the 7300 and 7600 series Nvidia cards falling into my price range, as well as the X1300 and X1600 ATI series. I like the sound of a cheap 7300, but don't want anything that would force me to upgrade again after only a year or so.

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: Staz
I have an X850XT AGP in my main system (grumbles because I paid $350 for it a year ago), but I know it needs a lot of power, and I will only have a 330W Antec True Power PSU in this system.

Would prefer something that is fairly quite. Active cooling is fine, but not a huge fan like in the X850XT and something that also doesn't take quite as much power.

Looking at Newegg, I see a lot of the 7300 and 7600 series Nvidia cards falling into my price range, as well as the X1300 and X1600 ATI series. I like the sound of a cheap 7300, but don't want anything that would force me to upgrade again after only a year or so.

Lol I paid mines at the same price too..i'm pretty shocked :frown:. Although I'm really satisfied with the performance with the games out today.

Here's another option for a silent / low power solution card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125028

 

[lopri]

If you don't mind buying off eBay or used, you can pick up a 7600GT. I think it's a wonderous card considering its price, performance, and power consumption.

 

[Staz]

After doing some research, I have setteled on a 7600 card, but still deciding if I want to get the GS or GT model. GS models start at $100 where as the GT models start at $150, which is more than I wanted to spend. However, if the preformance increase is there, might do it, still undecided. Any help would be great.

 

[Captante]

If you can afford the extra money for the GT, I'd say go for it... the performance bump should be well worth it.