What video card should i get?

[Magniitude]

Well i have a dell computer thats a dimension 2400 with:

512 DDR
Intel P4 2.66 Ghz processor
Integrated Intel Extreme graphics 64mb.

Since its a dell (kinda old version) it doesnt have any pci-express or AGP slots so im kind of stuck with crappy pci slots.

My question is for running games (specifically Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike Source) which is the best choice for a pci card that i should get?

I recently bought a new vid card for my other crappy computer so i have a budget of about $60, which i have 2 options to choose:

A radeon 9250 256mb OR a Geforce FX 5200 256mb.

Both of these are around $60 and i want to know which would be most suitable given my system specs. I want to be able to run CSS at about 1024 x 768 resolution and at least medium settings, same with Half-Life 2 at about 50+ fps. Is that possible and if so which card should i choose?

If anyone finds a better card / better deal for this situation please post for me! My sources for the cards are currently from pricewatch.com and newegg.

Thanks guys i know you'll do me proud :angel:

 

[Mirob]

I seen a BFG GeForce FX5500 128mb PCI at Walmart for a little more than that price, it's OCed. Don't realy now how it compares to the ATi, but shure it's better than the 5200.

My ATi Radeon 9200 128mb AGP seems close to my 9600se, just looses a little detail in textures. That's a great price for that card.

 

[Sharkfood]

I'd say look for a 5500 or 5700 series FX card in PCI form.

If it's between the 5200 FX and say a 9200-series ATI, the 9200 Series would be a hair better for a wider variety of things, but overall the 5500/5700 would be MUCH better as they are DX 9.0 level cards (PS/VS 2.0) and have more pixel pushing horsepower over the 9200 series (and 5200).

 

[Mirob]

My Radeon 9200 says DirectX 9.0 compatible on the box. I've ran games that require it and use pixel shaders. You would think the PCI 9250 would do the same, but Newegg shows DirectX 8.0. If you have the money the BFG GeForce FX 5500 is best I think, newegg sells it for alot less than the 9250 any way. Can't exactly remember Walmart's price.

I bought the 9200 for a old computer and it blew my PSU(old 250w). I'm just testing it out now--replaced a Rosewill 9600se in a much more powerfull rig. So be shure to have a good power supply first. Dell may have left you the headroom, but you never know about some OEMs. You may need 300 watts to be safe.

 

[Magniitude]

Ok that BFG 5500 is a good card, but i have to save up a bit more. How do i check how much my power supply is?

 

[Mirob]

It will say on a sticker.

 

[vnf4ultra]

At my local walmart the 5500oc pci 256mb is $130 usd., but it's one of the better pci cards.

Newegg has a bfg 5500, but the box doesn't say it's a 5500Oc, it just says 5500, and it also says it has a core speed of 270mhz, which is stock, (oc'ed is 290).
http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-143-032&depa=1
Bfg only lists a 5500oc pci though, no stock 5500's, so I'm not sure what neweggs card is.
http://www.bfgtech.com/5500OC_pci.html

My dell 2300 has a 200w psu. I replaced it with an antec sl350 350w psu, and it worked out well. I also have a thermaltake silent purepower 420w psu(it's on sale at the 'egg for about $37 now, free shipping), and it can power my athlon 64 gaming system.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006
The thermaltake does make a little noise(not silent), but not very noisy either.

Here's another decent psu that's pretty cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103915
or this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104951

 

[azkickerboi69]

ati i think is best

 

[Mirob]

A look at the box at newegg shows it is different than the one at BFG's site and at Walmart--not OCed. I think the Radeon 9250 is better the the FX5200, but the FX5500OC is likely the best PCI card there is for games. BFG says 250 watt PSU min.

____________
With my LORD.

 

[Magniitude]

Well im looking at getting just a normal Geforce 5500 256mb for like $90. With the extra money i have from the $130 i could have spent for the 5500 oc i can buy an extra power supply if needed. What is a 5500 256mb equivalent in radeon terms? and a 5500 OC?

 

[Mirob]

Here is a compairison of AGP 8x cards:

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-04.html

Your PCI card will be bandwidth impaird so it will be lower for sure.

I don't realy know, but I bet it's close to 9600se-9600 in Fps, but renders a image of lesser quality.

 

[Magniitude]

...stupid dells.

 

[Magniitude]

So if i do get a geforce 5500 will i be able to run the game at 1024 x 768 at a 50+ fps?

 

[Prowlerr]

OK First off - You have a dell no video card will help, if you want help... make a custom computer because dell service is GAY! They dont know sh!t. Anyway the video card probably most useful for CS 100fps constant and in source would probably the geforce 6600 - it runs basically the same as the upgrade 6800... Very nice card and not as pricey for how good it is... Quality - but thats just me, its not like ive done my research or anything ::coughs::

 

[sllewe]

its not like ive done my research or anything ::coughs::

Obviously

He needs a PCI card. The cards you mentioned are not available in the PCI format.

You have a dell no video card will help

I bet there are dells out there that could beat your rig in the benches.


Sean