Best Video Card for $150???

One more thing, I will personally be playing counterstrike source on this, so i would like it if it could play HD at full settings, or even just 1280 1024 at full

Do you already have a board and CPU?
If not, a board with the new 780G AMD chipset and a cheap energy efficient Athlon would probably be a good buy.
I think I'm going to build an HTPC with one of these!

Hmm, I like that 8800GS choice as the best gaming card for the buck, even bought one myself and a second for a customer already. But it's downside is that it is somewhat loud for a media PC and if noise is any concern, it would need something like a VF900 added to the budget to silence it. But although it's just a 2-pin fan header and runs full speed, it not nearly as loud as an 8800GT on 100%. Without comparing directly, I'd say it's like a reference 8800GT (my BFG) at 65-70%.

Anyway, I still think the card is an amazing buy for $130, and I'd buy a third or forth if pricing stays the way it is. But just wanted to mention the fan as one concern. I would not be happy with it in my HTPC without a different fan. (edit: And the VF900 is too tall for my antec Overature case) But otherwise it's not really too bad and not as bad as some of the newegg reviews warn.

I'd add the MSI 9600GT or 8800GT as quiter, faster, but also more expensive options.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127333

Just went up $12 though -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

edit:
All three of these cards may be more than you need even for CS:Source, but why not have the extra gaming power for the future. The HD2600XT and 8800GT/S quite a huge step down from the 8800GS. But you could look into them if you/he want(s) to stay under $100.

I don't have a 512MB version, but did edit links to that up above before reading your reply. edit: lol now you took out that question.

DOn't have an 8800GT 256MB either though. But I will have a X1950XT 256MB and 8800GTS 320MB thrown in too too see how all these popular low ram cards compare.

Several buyers of the card reported that it had an excessively loud fan... not exactly ideal for an HTPC setup.

I mentioned that above in detail and also stated I personally don't find it nearly as loud as some of those Newegg reviewers did. It runs 100%, and is not a quiet card, but much, much quiter than an 8800GT on 100% (no comparison). Believe me, noise is a big concern for me, and while not a quiet card, it's no leaf blower by any means.

Correct. no wonder so many of these companies are putting better coolers on the normally single slot cooled cards, and obviously charging more. I'll stick with my 8800GTS that apparently some people think I paid to much for just cooling reasons.

you could get an Nvidia 8600GT with 512Mb of ram for 150 or less

my vote is that you add on a few more bucks and go for the 9600gt. you will be glad you did!

Not a bad Idea for him. I actually like that if he can spring it.

It's a dual slot. It's way too loud @ 12volts and keeps it slightly under 70C if I run it @ full speed. My fan doesn't do PWM either.

Heck I even have it overclocked @ 7 volts.

Why do I bother posting?



BTW, Read my first post if you ? why I say that. You and Rodney Obviously didn't do that.

Hey thanks for all the posts everybody. So my basic question now is...
What card will be quiet enough for a HTPC when running movies, and powerful enough to play CSS at 1080P at a nice 40 FPS with maxed out settings?? How loud is the MSI 8800gt?? I might spring the load for that if it will be that much better than the rest and hopefully quiet

Speaking for myself only, I appoligise for all the inattentive and visually impaired.

"Hmm, I like that 8800GS choice as the best gaming card for the buck, even bought one myself and a second for a customer already. But it's downside is that it is somewhat loud for a media PC and if noise is any concern, it would need something like a VF900 added to the budget to silence it. But although it's just a 2-pin fan header and runs full speed, it not nearly as loud as an 8800GT on 100%. Without comparing directly, I'd say it's like a reference 8800GT (my BFG) at 65-70%.

Anyway, I still think the card is an amazing buy for $130, and I'd buy a third or forth if pricing stays the way it is. But just wanted to mention the fan as one concern. I would not be happy with it in my HTPC without a different fan. (edit: And the VF900 is too tall for my antec Overature case) But otherwise it's not really too bad and not as bad as some of the newegg reviews warn.

I'd add the MSI 9600GT or 8800GT as quiter, faster, but also more expensive options.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127333

Just went up $12 though -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

edit:
All three of these cards may be more than you need even for CS:Source, but why not have the extra gaming power for the future. The HD2600XT and 8800GT/S quite a huge step down from the 8800GS. But you could look into them if you/he want(s) to stay under $100."

Sorry about that

Once again thanks for the posts.
So from the sound of it i think i will go with that 9600gt because of audio through hdmi. Once more question, wrong area of forum but since i have all of you attention.
Would you say that i should get a nice soundcard for this system if it will be hooked up to a receiver??
And also the case we are using is a p182 so hopefully enough airflow for what i need