Need some advice - on a budget!

[mike mahannahan]

I'm going to be upgrading from AGP - finally. I'm going to have a new mobo with PCIe x16, and an Athlon 3800 processor (2.0 GHz 64 bit) with a gig of ram. Not much to work with, but for my uses (mainly just BF2/Project Reality) it will be good enough with the right video card.

I don't want to spend any more than $70, after shipping and handling. So I've had my eyes on the 7600 GS SLI (256MB, 400 MHz), the ATi X1650 Pro (same), or the ATi HD 2600 Pro (512MB, 600 MHz). Thats from cheapest to most expensive.

Which would work the best for my system? And whichever one it is, how well will I be able to run BF2? I'd be content with high/max settings and no vertical sync at 1152 x 864 with atleast 30 FPS. Will that be doable? Right now I have a ATi 9200SE and I'm running BF2 barely at the lowest settings. Its really bad.

 

[SpinachEater]

Well crap, the 2600 XT would just nudge you over your price range after rebate. The only difference is the DDR3 vs the DDR2 in the Pro. Toms gives it the best gaming card under $100.

If you could swing that I would suggest getting the XT but for sure the 2600 Pro if you have to stay around $70. That should be a good step up from where you are coming from.

With rebate, you can get one from newegg for $47.99...not a bad deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102152

For the 2600 XT you can get it with rebate for $69.99 + $7 shipping. I would vote this one if you don't mind the $7 over budget and rebate handling.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102703