Graphics card upgrade from 8500 gt 512 MB

[sleapeasy]

Ok, so i converted my old desktop to a server last year and now my dad is getting a new computer so his desktop is going to be the new server(cause its older and can still handle it). So now to re-recycle my desktop, i want to put a new video card in it so i can give it to my brother for his 8th grade graduation so he can have a low to mid range gaming machine in addition to his laptop.

The specs are:

BIOSTAR P43-A7 LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz Dual Core Processor
4 GB DDR2 800 RAM
500GB HDD
430W PSU
nVidia 8500 GT


I jsut need something that will last the next few years, cheaper the better as im on a tight budget.

Thanks in advance

 

[hang-the-9]

A Radeon 5570 is a great budget gaming pick and would match that CPU pretty well. Any card worth getting would be at least $40, and stretching another bill or 2 will get you from just a so-so card that will run games on low to a good card that can hit high settings in many games.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card-game-performance-radeon-hd-6670,2935-2.html

 

[sleapeasy]

I was looking at a 5670, would that work?

 

[hang-the-9]

I was looking at a 5670, would that work?

Yes but it's more expensive than the 5570 and I don't think it will run any faster than it in the system you are using it in. It may though, so if you don't care about the exta cost, get it.

 

[jaguarskx]

I would get the HD 5670.

My HTPC has an E6600 CPU and a GeForce 9600GT which is a bit faster than the HD 5670. The 9600GT runs at it's full potential.

While the E6600 may be a few years old it is still a very good CPU and should not bottleneck most video cards except for higher end cards like maybe a HD 5850.

 

[sleapeasy]

Best answer selected by sleapeasy.