I need a new cheap graphics card for my 5 year old PC, what should i get?

Question

My graphics card just crapped out on my tower PC. I am not sure what cards are compatible (if i need a PCI or AGP slot, etc.). If you could tell me how to find out what I have on my computer through commands then I can figure it out by myself (pretty computer literate, just been a few years since I ave had the time to really mess with it). I also would like to know a good graphics card under the $200 range. I have no preference between GeForce or Radeon so either should do. I have 2 gig ram DDR1 with a 2.0gzh board, intel pentium 4.

I should also mention that I play games, not too many, but like Counterstrike Source and BF2, so I would prefer a card that could run those games at a decent framerate, or at least the best I could get for the cheap price I have to work with.

After you post, be sure to check up as I will edit with any new information I get.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Ok, on a 5-year old P4 system, you'll probably have AGP, since I'm fairly certain there weren't any PCI-Express slot motherboards back then. The easiest way to tell is to open the case and look. If your motherboard has an offset, different colored slot next to the white PCI slots then you've got AGP and all is well.

See the photos linked below- AGP slots the are red & brown ones.

If your system ONLY has white PCI slots and nothing else, then you need a new motherboard. None of the video cards designed for the old PCI interface are fast enough to handle those types of games. There are decent general-use cards like the GeForce FX5200 and Radeon 9200, but none of them will give you decent framerates in 3D games like BF2, Oblivion, Half-Life 2, etc.

Fortunately for AGP the choices are pretty clear. The Radeon X1950 Pro is the best card around $180, and in a slightly lower price bracket the GeForce 7600GT is probably the pick.

Here's the AGP section of Tom's Hardware's latest video card roundup... Good luck!

Answer 2

Find out what you have. Odds are it is AGP, but you need to know. Pull out the old one.

Then go to a reputable online vender, newegg, zipzoomfly, ewiz etc and buy a card that fits your budget and needs. Newegg has users reviews on the items. You can always check if you can get a better price after you decide on which card.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I think it would be cheaper to buy a new system. But if you decide to buy a new card instead, then go buy a nvidia geforce 7800gs. your system is 5 years old, it would most likely have only agp slots, not pci express.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130274