Budget GFX for a friend

[Wizrdwarts]

It's his birthday soon, so he's going to have about $100 in spare cash.

His specs:
Intel motherboard (not sure which)
Pentium D 2.8 ghz
2gb RAM
My old 7300LE :)
380w PSU

Any good graphics cards for about $100?

Right now he's thinking of this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102725 and he wants to get a GDDR3 card (512mb is preferred), and not make the mistake of getting a DDR2 card like me.

How good is the 8600 series for gaming? Plus he only has a 380w PSU so keep that in mind.

[invicta ging3r]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814145151R

Not to sure about the cheaper cards, but i would go for this
It will be alot better than the 8600's
Only problem could be the psu, but not 100% sure

[=98=]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

He should go for a 9600gt. Don't even touch or look at a 8600gt, they are horrible things.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

I'm still a bit worried about his PSU. I'll see if I can get exact specs for it later.

[imported_Joey]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

I have an 8600gt and it does fine... until things get really hot in battle, bf2 - mostly high @ 1680x1050 , cod4 mostly high @ 1280x1024

[=98=]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

I have an 8600gt and it does fine... until things get really hot in battle, bf2 - mostly high @ 1680x1050 , cod4 mostly high @ 1280x1024

I'm sure it works, it's just not worth buying now at all.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

What about the card in my original post? Is it worth getting? It's only $55 and can run on a 300w PSU.

[jesus]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130332 - 8800GS for $79 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162007 - 9600GT for $109 after MIR

The 3650 is good, I guess, but it's basically the same as the 8600GT. It's OK if he's playing at 1280x1024 or lower and doesn't mind playing at medium (some high) graphic settings.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

Yeah I've recommended that 8800GS to him, but he says his PSU isn't enough.

[jesus]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

Then I guess he can only get an 8600GT or 3850. Unless he wants to upgrade his PSU.

Btw, just incase:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE - 256mb 8800GT for $69 after MIR. It's limited with the 256mb of RAM but it's still pretty good for the price.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

He just emailed me, he's going with the HD 3650 for the 512mb GDDR3 at a lower price compared to the 8600GT.

[=98=]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

He should save the money towards a new PSU and GPU at the same time rather than spending money just to suffice.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

I don't think he's placed the order yet.

Anyways, he was running on integrated before I gave him my spare card, so he's plenty happy. Besides, what's $55? 55 double cheeseburgers, 11/12ths of a new console game, 12 gallons of gas.

[=98=]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

No, but that's $55 that could be saved for a new PSU and GPU instead of buying one that would immediately be outdated.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Budget GFX for a friend

Fine, I see your point. But it's his money, and I have no idea if he's willing to save.

Would this be a good upgrade?
EVGA 8800GS 384mb $80: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130332
Antec Basiq 500w $35: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371019

I have no idea how reliable the Antec is, so I need your opinions. And heck, $105 is pretty close to his $100 anyways. Just hope he has enough money before the rebates.