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Best Card For Around $30

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Best Card For Around $30

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ishmoo21   08-29-2008 at 12:52:03 PM

I'm going to be building a computer for my mom and the motherboard I have picked out has integrated nvidia 6100 graphics but I don't want to give her just that but I also dont want to add alot to the cost of the system. The only thing I could really find is a nvidia 8400gs for $30. Is there anything from ati thats better or anything that's more bang for my buck? Thanks

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Wolfshadw   08-29-2008 at 02:48:46 PM
- 1 +

What's mom going to be doing that requires more than just onboard graphics? In my opinion, the only reason to get such a low-end card is:

1) The motherboard you've chosen does not include onboard graphics
2) The onboard graphics have failed.

- Wolf queries


Message edited by Wolfshadw on 08-29-2008 at 02:51:52 PM
------------------------------ System Specs:
Gigabyte EP43-UD3L Intel Core2Quad Q8400 8 Gig RAM
NVidia Geforce 8800GTS-640/Creative X-FI Extreme Music/Dual-Boot XP-64&Server2008
 Reply to Wolfshadw
zenmaster   08-29-2008 at 02:56:40 PM
- 0 +

A $30 is not going to do much more than an integrated card.

The Mobo you are selecting is quite old since 6100 Graphics have been around for about 3+ years now. You might be better off with a Dell.

Can you List the Budget, Your Current Build List, and what you want to do with it.

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
 Reply to zenmaster
rodney_ws   08-29-2008 at 02:57:49 PM
- 0 +

$30 (especially when talking about new cards) ain't gonna get you much over what modern IGPs already do. I imagine a card like the 8400GS would help out if you're using Vista's Aero interface, but it probably wouldn't be anything dramatic.

Reply to rodney_ws
jtt283   08-29-2008 at 03:07:49 PM
- 0 +

I was looking for something similar for a machine I plan to donate. I may use this:
ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Video Card - Retail $20 after $10 MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121259
=================
Two more reasons to go with such a low-end card over integrated, 1) you want HDMI which isn't on the IGP, and 2) you want to preserve your system's memory.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
annisman   08-29-2008 at 03:08:01 PM
- 0 +

If he is building one w/ windows Vista then a vid card can be a helpful pickup, otherwise I don't think it matters.

------------------------------ Core i7 920 @ 4.0Ghz - Gigabyte UD5 - 12GB Corsair XMS 3 - 2X ATI 58701GB Crossfire- Zalman 850W - X-FI Fatality Gamer Pro - Xigmatek Thor's Hammer - Raptor X 150 - WD Black 1TB OCZ Vertex Turbo 120 GB SSD - Cosmos S Case w/side window + 8X 120mm fans
 Reply to annisman
ishmoo21   08-29-2008 at 05:45:47 PM
- 0 +

here's the system

Lite-On 20X - $22 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106228

Corsair XMS2 2GB RAM - $36 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145590

MSI MBOX K9N6SGM Barebone - $95 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6856167009

Radeon HD 2600XT - $20 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121082

Western Digital Caviar SE HD 160GB - $42 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136075

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ - $66- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103211

I made the switch to a Radeon HD 2600XT but would this Radeon HD 3450 you sugguested be better? and what do you guys think of the system?

Reply to ishmoo21
terror112   08-29-2008 at 06:31:40 PM
- 0 +

2600XT should be faster than 3450.

------------------------------ // Intel C2D E6750 @ 3.2ghz 1.35v // Asus P5K P35 // 2gb Patriot 1000mhz // Sapphire HD4850 @700core 1100mem // Antec neo 500 HE // Antec 900 // SB X-FI // WD 250gb Sata-2 //
Reply to terror112
halcyon   08-29-2008 at 06:32:49 PM
- 0 +

What is is, precisely, that your mother would be doing/using that integrated graphics isn't strong enough for?

As was posted above, I'd think you'd need something strong enough to run Vista's Aero interface, now, or in the future, but beyond that what are you trying to accomplish with a discrete card?

Your mom may want reliability, responsiveness, ease of use, quiet computing, energy efficiency, reasonable audio, and perhaps even the ability to play the simplest of games? How is a discrete card going to impact this?

------------------------------ 17" MacBook Pro: 2.66Ghz, 4GB DDR3-1066, 256GB Corsair P256 SSD
 Reply to halcyon
ishmoo21   08-29-2008 at 08:32:26 PM
- 0 +

I will be installing Vista on it so I need something that will be able to run the Aero interface and sometimes she plays games like the Sims and I'm just wondering if integrated graphics will be ok for the Sims 2 or Sims 3. I'm just trying to replace the computer she has now while spending not alot of money but I also want it to be able to last her for awhile. Right now she is running a 933mhz Pentium 3 with 348 mb of Ram and Windows ME.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by ishmoo21 on 08-29-2008 at 08:36:13 PM
Reply to ishmoo21
halcyon   08-29-2008 at 09:04:13 PM
- 0 +

ishmoo21 wrote :

I will be installing Vista on it so I need something that will be able to run the Aero interface and sometimes she plays games like the Sims and I'm just wondering if integrated graphics will be ok for the Sims 2 or Sims 3. I'm just trying to replace the computer she has now while spending not alot of money but I also want it to be able to last her for awhile. Right now she is running a 933mhz Pentium 3 with 348 mb of Ram and Windows ME.




Good info, your mom likes to play the SIMS...cool. ...that coupled with the use of Vista's aero interface does justify, IMO, something better than low-end integrated graphics.

...and 2600XT should be more than enough...are those quiet cards though? ...because you don't want your mom asking you why her new computer sounds like a vacuum cleaner when she fires up the SIMS.

------------------------------ 17" MacBook Pro: 2.66Ghz, 4GB DDR3-1066, 256GB Corsair P256 SSD
 Reply to halcyon
ishmoo21   08-29-2008 at 09:27:21 PM
- 0 +

Idk... I was hoping someone on here maybe had a Radeon 2600XT before and could let me know if its quite or not

Reply to ishmoo21
Paris Lee   08-30-2008 at 02:13:26 PM
- 0 +

in the case used by your mom
why not build the system with althlon*2 5000+ and 790GX
this would be much more better than nvidia 6100

Reply to Paris Lee
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