Suggestions on a Doom 3 Graphics card under $200

[Ssjman]

Hello! I've been trying to look around on the internet, and haven't been able to find much information on it. Anyway, I am trying to find a good graphics card that has a price of under $201, and I've come to the conclusion that these are the only graphics cards I could get:

Radeon 9500 Pro
Geforce FX 5600 256 MB

Now then, I plan on getting my computer to play Doom 3, so that's where it gets hard. I want to get a new video card now, I have a Radeon 9100 128 currently, and I want it to give me a decent framerate on Doom 3, AND under $200 American. -_-; So, does anyone have any suggestions? Also, of those 2 video cards, which is better? (Framerate wise) I have 512 megs of DDR 266 RAM, Abit NF7 motherboard, and an AMD Athlon XP 2000+ Processor, if it helps.

Also, I've read that the Radeon 9600 could be overclocked to no end, which I would consider and option for me, but it depends. I've never overclocked anything in my life. So far I just know you have to do it via the BIOS, for my motherboard. But, if I overclock a video card, what effects will it have on the card? How long will the card last if I OC' it? I think it will be cool enough, the sides of my case aren't even on.

 

[dhlucke]

Wait till the game is released. It's the only way to do this right.

<font color=green>Everyone should be like the Dutch. They're perfect.</font color=green>
<font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1086025,00.asp" target="_new">Is Nvidia cheating?</A></font color=red>

 

[Ssjman]

Well, I don't want to upgrade JUST for Doom 3, (even though that's my main reason) But, I simply want to get a video card that will let me NOT upgrade for another 3-6 years.

 

[phial]

thats impossible. youll never buy a video card that will last that long. the market changes too fast..

if you own a computer you should know that

-------

<A HREF="http://www.quake3world.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001355.html" target="_new">*I hate thug gangstas*</A>

 

[dhlucke]

3-6 years? Are you insane? Plan on upgrading every 2 years MAX.

If you want to get a feel for how games are changing, download the Half Life 2 video at:

<A HREF="http://fox302.com/halflife2_qt.mov" target="_new">http://fox302.com/halflife2_qt.mov</A>

<font color=green>Everyone should be like the Dutch. They're perfect.</font color=green>
<font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1086025,00.asp" target="_new">Is Nvidia cheating?</A></font color=red>

 

[Ssjman]

Insane? Um...maybe...but, before I upgraded my PC, it was unupgraded (is that a word?) for 7 years. AMD K6-2 400 MHZ with an ATi Rage 32! Woo! And I was able to keep a steady 4 fps in Serious Sam 2!

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Ssjman on 05/23/03 02:53 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[cleeve]

On e-bay, you can find Radeon 9700 non-pros for $200 consistantly.

That's what I'd do if I were in your shoes, mate.

 

[Ssjman]

Hmmm, I don't know though, I've never really 'trusted' Ebay. I mean if someone is selling their Geforce fx 5900 for $200 (supposing it's already out, which I know it isn't) it could just be some scam, like they got the thing dead already, and am selling it anyway.... etc. How do I know that it's 'real'?

 

[cleeve]

Look at buyer feedback ratings on e-bay.

Everyone on e-bay has a feedback rating. After every transaction, both participants rate the other. Positive is +1, neutral is 0, and negative is -1.

Basically, if you see a certified seller with 100+ rating, and look at his history of transactions and see no negatives, he's an honest businessman.

On a side note, I saw 9700 non-pro on pricewatch for $207...

 

[Ssjman]

I've been looking there now, and have found a few that have had no -1 rates. Now, if I were to trust them, my question now is: How will I get my parents to think Ebay is safe? O.O;

 

[Ssjman]

I've been looking there now, and have found a few that have had no -1 rates. Now, if I were to trust them, my question now is: How will I get my parents to think Ebay is safe? O.O;
Whoa....I just found a 9700 pro 128 for $41 on Ebay....I checked his ratings and it's all positive except one and the response was legit', but, I don't really believe it... :|
(Legit as in the response TO the complaint is legit' "Buyer was contacted on 3 separate occassions via email,but buyer did not respond" )