Videocard >_<

[Mordecai2k]

My price range is like 60-80

What's the cheapest videocard i could get?? I've been looking on newegg and i'm thinking about getting a Geforce FX 5200 (I think it's called the "Bloody Monster" or some crap >_<) I just need some guidance since i don't know much. I have a crap computer but i want to run games like warcraft without getting any lag during big battles. Thanks to whoever can help me out.

[AJ]

Wow. Good luck with that one.

[OboeGuru]

"Crap Computer" doesn't tell us much, can you give us some specs?

[WeekendLazyness]

No specs needed, the GeForce is a good choice. It will run your games.

You are on the right track, though. Keep upgrading your computer as long as possible, as it is usually cheaper than buying a new one.

Save up for a new one when you hit the upgrading wall. Or, if you have the money, buy a new one.

[pixels]

Technically.. you never really need to buy a 'new' computer.

Case: As time goes on, you may need to upgrade this, but its a matter of choice, and you usually dont have to.

Motherboard/Cables: These dont upgrade much, you can usually keep one for a while; not a heavy upgrade... but when you do, your basically upgrading everything

RAM: Replace old sticks, or just add on more

Processor: This will be the push for everything. If you need a new one, you may have to upgrade everything, maybe not.

Power Supply: Goes almost hand in hand with the case

Video Card: Again, you could upgrade these once a year, or once every 5 years.. or when new technology comes out that you NEED (as in your case)

Ethernet Card: Only needs to be upgraded when your internet goes faster than it can

CDROM/DVDROM/RWs: Right now all you need is a DVD/CD RW Combo Drive and you wont need to upgrade it for awhile

Floppy: Upgrade? ... just have one INCASE.

HD: Probably what will be most upgraded, aside from RAM. Get bigger ones, or just keep getting more, these are ESSENTIAL. You NEED space to put shit.

Cooling: a few fans should be fine for the average user.

why did i write that i dont know. im bored.

[Adovid]

I have a geforce fx 5200 and I think that it works fine. I have had some other people say that ati radeon 9500+ is better but I just can't seem to find them :/ Oh sure I can find the 9800s and the 9700s but I didn't have that kind of cash.

When you reach an upgrade wall its usually because of a motherboard :/ and that is usually because of a processor :p. Those together are probably about $ 300+ to upgrade. I was surprised that motherboards aren't really that expensive, its the CPUS that are.

[Exedore]

No specs needed, the GeForce is a good choice. It will run your games.

You are on the right track, though. Keep upgrading your computer as long as possible, as it is usually cheaper than buying a new one.

Save up for a new one when you hit the upgrading wall. Or, if you have the money, buy a new one.

I would have to disagree there. It's often just as cheap, and much less of a hassle to build an entire mid-range system (under $1000 USD) every 2-3 years than having to spend $100-$200 USD every few months to upgrade something and then dealing with Operating system problems resulting from the upgrade. You also have the added benefit of having an old computer for the rest of the family to use for older games, word processing, and internet browsing.

Things like getting a new video card or increasing the amount of RAM you have are good, but when you want to upgrade your processor/motherboard, it's best just to get a whole new system.

As for the video card, the GeForce FX5200 is ok, but it's pretty close to obsolete already. I would personally save up about another $50-$70 and get a better card that will be able to play new games years into the future.

[OboeGuru]

The ATI 9600 Pro is a good budget video card with a lot of punch. Personally, I prefer ATI over GeForce, but that's me. It's all about price, if you can get a new GeForceFX 5200 that cheap, go for it

[Mordecai2k]

The ATI 9600 Pro is a good budget video card with a lot of punch. Personally, I prefer ATI over GeForce, but that's me. It's all about price, if you can get a new GeForceFX 5200 that cheap, go for it

I'm thinking about it... It'll cost me about 60, is that any good? I'm still looking, thanks for the help. I'll look into more ATI stuff but i can only find $100+ and i don't want to invest that much money into this considering i'll probably be getting a new computer in another 8 months (i hope)

And to Adovoid... What brand videocard do you have? Could you provide some linkage?

Edit!!11 I found this! http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-004&depa=0 only 52 dollars. I think i'm going to go for it. What do any of you think?

[WeekendLazyness]

I would have to disagree there. It's often just as cheap, and much less of a hassle to build an entire mid-range system (under $1000 USD) every 2-3 years than having to spend $100-$200 USD every few months to upgrade something and then dealing with Operating system problems resulting from the upgrade.
It's really a matter of personal opinion and what is right for the person at that time.

[Whiteknight]

Right now, I have a GeForce FX5200 series. When I got this computer, at december, the person who sold it to me said that it was a higher end videocard. From these comments, I think I might have gotten gyped, although I forget how much I paid for it. Maybe I wasn't gyped, oh well.

[Modred]

Right now, I'm using a crummy IntelIntegrated845GV card. Don't you envy me? Will be upgrading to ATI soon....

I've seen some 64Mb Radeons for around $60-$70, but then you might as well save another $50 and get a better card.