Hey, I finally gave in, and I need a new graphics card.
 

I can no longer play BF2, STALKER is awful looking, and the artifracting or whatever it's called is making my normal use horrible.


Ok, so I've been out of the loop for about a year and a half when it comes to parts and that jazz. I want a card that I can buy now, and won't be unusuable when I build a new PC in about 5-6 months.


My current specs are allow me to have a PCI E card and the one I use now is an X800XL 256meg. I think I got a 500 Watt power supply.


My price range is 100 - 250 USD.


Any recommendations? I don't really care if its Nvidia or ATI.. Just as long as it works well.


Thanks.

For $200, the 7950GT would be a good card:

Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N636-AR GeForce 7950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

I would suggest a 1950 over a 7950 IMHO though you would be better spending just an extra twenty over your target budget.

Newegg.com - PNY VCG88GTS32XPB GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

DX10, faster and a better investment than anything for the same price at the moment, and it will play all those games and a lot more besdies, maxxed out totally.

Me too.

A 8800GTS would be faster, but your only going to be able to use DX10 if you want to also use Vista.

Newegg.com - EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail


That's the one I'm going to buy. I figured I might as well get something with the Dx10 support and enough video memory. I'll use it as my card in the next PC I build.


Is it a good one?

It's a pretty damn good card. I'm sure that you'll be happy with it.

Im abit confused. You say your X800 256 wont play it well and it artifacts!!? Sounds like a hardware issuse not an actual model make issuse. My old 9800pro runs that game sweet. ( My main pc is has the X1900XT 512 though)

Anyway... If you want a card that would still be pumping fast on new games 6 months down the line Id go for something like the 1950 or 7950, both are fantastic cards now for the money. Remember.. you dont have to lay down wads of cash on the lastest card to get good game play.. even with the amount you qouted. Dont get sucked in by the bling. GL my friend. :)

Yeah i would concur with B@se here. I have an x800 that plays Bf2, stalker and the rest without issue. I would say your artifacting would be heat or hardware other than your card.

I would get some heat monitoring software for your system to test it. Get into a game after turning it on and see what the temps register when you are done.

I agree with both above. I had an AIW X800XT. It could run Oblivion with no problem and games don't get any more hardware intensive then that one.
I have read that the X800's will run unstable if the power cord is loose (not getting enough current and all) you might try giving the power wire a wiggle, otherwise Merrick is probably right. You either have a heat issue or the card is just about toast.

The thing is, my card IS fried. The heatsink, which I never thought to check, got clogged with debris and stopped the airflow to my card from working, and thus, died to death.