which card for $100?

[cranker]

Or even a 5750 for $120 at NCIX. Bear in mind that its only 512MB though.
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=48773&...ure=PowerColor

[CraigRT]

HD 4850... They're $100 new, and less if you look, used.

[upcoast604]

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...r&promoid=1060

$100 and $10 mir but you should wait and get something a little or a lot better.

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by technix

Okay, thanks for the great advice!! I can wait until early April. I just thought other people might have the same idea (waiting for better deals and maybe a good, used card). :)

Sounds like a lot of Nvidia recommendations even though the most recent ATI architecture is newer? Is this accurate? ATI HD 4850 is a $100 card right now? Well, used, it is? But, everyone is mentioning Nvidia cards. It's okay with me, though. Nvidia is preferred by the majority of Linux enthusiasts even with some progress from ATI/AMD working on Linux support. I just thought the Nvidia suggestions were interesting. I think I want a card that isn't any weaker/older than a 9800GT, too, btw.

Most of those Nvidia recommendations (well mine wasn't really a recommendation... just a comment on what I'd seen in that price range) probably come from folks who are using their cards for folding, and ATI cards just don't perform anywhere near as well as Nvidia cards do for that application.

If I was buying a card these days strictly for gaming, I'm pretty sure I'd be looking at ATI.

[Silvgearx]

A used 4890 for $150 is the best performance/ratio for now

If you update your location someone might be able to hook you up locally

[technix]

I have some more questions. I hope no one minds if the topic goes a bit on a tangent for a bit? I mean, if I stretch my budget a bit, what should I consider? I was looking into HD Radeon 5770 cards. But, they seem to have two types, those with the reference design and those called Rev. 2 with the 'egg shape.' Which is better? I don't know anything about this stuff but some people say they offer better cooling and less noise while others insist it's just a cost-cutting measure and it doesn't offer anything better than the original design. So, which perspective do you agree with?

I would look at ATI 4890 used but I can't find any and there's only a few new ones out there but for $200. Did these go up in price?!? Also, they run with high power consumption, don't they? What about their temps? I have an Antec 300 case and Corsair HX520 PSU. Do those parts limit me in any way? I didn't really want to buy another one of each right now as the case is new and not being used yet (my current case is an Antec Solo but I will replace it with the 300 - the Solo will be used for my budget build). I think the PSU is decent quality but I don't know if any of these video cards would 'push it' at all.

I mostly like the ATI cards for the lower power and they're shorter but I'm not preferring them at all. Afterall, I use Linux as well as Windows. ATI in Linux is an extremely heated topic, let me tell you... :D There are fans and critics and it would be a separate discussion. I do like what I've read about the HD Radeon 5770 though so unless there is something I don't know about, I would consider stretching the budget if it's worth it.

I'm also considering a Nvidia 9800GTX+ and 260 GTX, too, but I need to know how each effect my case and PSU components. I'd need to make sure I have my case full of fans?

Help me decide??? :-)

[slay3r]

If you really want nvidia, i would wait till fermi be released then folders will sell all their nvidia card. I bet there will be really good deal specially on 260 and maybe 275 who know? :)

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by slay3r

If you really want nvidia, i would wait till fermi be released then folders will sell all their nvidia card. I bet there will be really good deal specially on 260 and maybe 275 who know? :)

Definitely an option. Probably get some good deals.