Opinion: Best graphics card under $130?

[codet74]

I am kind of limited on cash at this point, so I'm looking for the best bang-for-your-buck card under $130. My motherboard only has one PCI-E x16 slot, so SLI/Crossfire isn't really an option.

I'm already getting a new PSU, so power requirement isn't an issue.

Any ideas?

Specs:
Vista Premium 64 bit version
Intel G33 motherboard (I think)
Q8200 2.33ghz quad processor
8Gb ddr3 RAM
1 TB harddrive
Crappy integrated graphics chip

 

[AMW1011]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127494

Best performance you can get for your price range.

 

[multiscreenz]

You can get an ATI HD5770 for around $130 on Newegg.com. I did and I love it!

 

[shadow187]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131328&cm_re=5770-_-14-131-328-_-Product

 

[AMW1011]

$130 after MIR and only has 512mb of VRAM. If he plays at resolutions of 1650x1050 or over, he is going to experience a bottleneck.

 

[jryan388]

Well, the 5770 512mb is still the best for the money. Don't plan on 8xAA at 1080p, though.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

A 5770 with 512mb is better than a 5750 with 1GB.

 

[shadow187]

Mainly because if he's playing @ 1680x1050 or over he's going to have to lower settings.

 

[AMW1011]

Coming from someone with a 512mb card, it is developing into a pretty big bottleneck. In honesty, I'm not sure which I would choose, the 5750 1GB or the 5770 512mb.

 

[notty22]

If your on a strict budget the 5750 1gb is definitely a good choice.
It gets NO respect in these forums.
Its half a 5850, just like a 5770 is half a 5870
It has only 10% less sp, and TU, the key is its clocked 150mhz less (like the 5850~5870)
It comes with the same gddr5 ram
You basically have to o/c up to 5770 speeds and your fps should be almost the same.

We need more 5750 owners to report whether their cards run at 5770 speeds, all the time or not ?
There is a 5750 1gb for 105.00 after mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131354&cm_re=5750_radeon-_-14-131-354-_-Product
A 5770 1gb 149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131330&cm_re=5770-_-14-131-330-_-Product
A 5770 512 for 129.99 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131328&cm_re=5770-_-14-131-328-_-Product

 

[nforce4max]

To be honest you should always keep quality in mind when buying parts. If it looks cheaply made then it is. That power color card looks very shady and even like a little toy. I am using a 3870 (Diamond Viper) and upgraded from a x1900xt so I know quality. I am a avid collector. Proud 3DFX voodoo 5500 owner.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150448

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127494

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363R

 

[notty22]

Actually powercolor will tell you they are proud of their fans. They are a Arctic Cooling model and EVGA, Gigabyte uses them on various models
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130539&cm_re=gts_250-_-14-130-539-_-Product
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_0&mID=256&page=gallery

 

[nforce4max]

Actually powercolor will tell you they are proud of their fans. They are a Arctic Cooling model and EVGA, Gigabyte uses them on various models
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130539&cm_re=gts_250-_-14-130-539-_-Product
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_0&mID=256&page=gallery

It is not the fan its the cooler beneath the fan. Plus there is several variants with one looking very low quality. Mind you that I am a rice and ramen noodle eating student that still manages to land Zalman coolers. Quality is very important when it comes to hardware.

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7425/pict0063f.jpg

 

[notty22]

Three 5750's visiontek, powercolor, his~
edit: LOL at judging quality from picture /facepalm

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Coming from someone with a 512mb card, it is developing into a pretty big bottleneck. In honesty, I'm not sure which I would choose, the 5750 1GB or the 5770 512mb.

If I had to choose between buying two 5750s 1GB or two 5770s 512mb, I would choose the 5750. For a single card, I would probably get the 5770 since the extra power is more useful than more VRAM that a single 5750 may or may not be able to use effectively. For VRAM-hog games like GTA4, however, the 5750 1GB would be more useful.

 

[nforce4max]

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/14-161-309-Z03?$S180W$
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/14-131-354-Z03?$S180W$
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/14-129-146-Z03?$S180W$
Three 5750's visiontek, powercolor, his~

Yawn its up to the OP what he/she wants to get but just stating that quality wise these cards are lacking when it comes to coolers. Plus I am into overclocking and live in a hot and humid climate. 35c room temp if the A/C is off. Idle at 70c and load at 75c with room temps like that, these newer cards wouldn't hold up.

 

[notty22]

The 5750 is clocked a 150mhz less than the 5770.
I'm going to hazard it does not run hot stock.
Can you get that 150mhz back,? probably, maybe not much more with these coolers VS
the copper heat pipes on the 5770. Thats where some input from 5750 owners might help.

 

[AMW1011]

I'll point out that the MSI 5750 I pointed out has a very good cooler and uses solid state capacitors, and support voltage controls. So I'm assuming it clocks well.

 

[shadow187]

If your on a strict budget the 5750 1gb is definitely a good choice.
It gets NO respect in these forums.
Its half a 5850, just like a 5770 is half a 5870

The problem is that you're only paying $20 for a 20% increase.

 

[Uberrob]

look around on ebay i got an asus 5770 cucore for 135 after shipping. same seller puts graphics cards up every day and the 5770s go for around 130 every day

 

[shadow187]

Nice choice. Since it is ASUS, go for overvoltaging and overclocking!

 

[codet74]

Thanks all for your input. Originally, I was looking into a GTS 250, (since it seemed to have positive reviews) but after hearing all of this, that idea is scrapped.

Truthfully, this will be my first card purchase. I am on a rather strict budget, but I'll see if I can find a 5770 for $130, if not, the 5750 will have to do.