Best budget card

[camaro]

I'm no expert on budget cards. This will be for a PC used for school work and internet. No hardcore gaming. So I just need something that supports DX9 and can handle multimedia. Thanks.

[cysus]

why dx9 if your not going to play any real games?
If you really want dx9 but don't really care about proformance get a fx5200(shudder).

[camaro]

Well I just want it to be compatible with the latest multimedia. This will be for the PC that my sister will use in college for about 4 years. What's the equivalent of that over at the ATI camp?

What about a 9600SE? It's $102.

[camaro]

I have my own high powered PC with a 9800 in there.

[no1_vern]

The 9600se isnt a very good card. YOu can find many better for less.

For example you will get almost the same performace with this card for much less(if your willing to go Ebay)-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3666

[camaro]

I was just about to post. I did some extensive searching in this forum and youi're are 100% correct. SE is bad.

So I was thinking about 9600XT.

http://www.gameve.com/gve/Store/Prod...?sku=VC-SA-032

It's $163, but I just can't bring myself to buy a useless video card. Anything better in this price range. And this is the ceiling. I refuse to spend more.

[cysus]

a good card for you might be the fx5600ultra, you cant find them for good prices ($130 range) and they'll do everything you want. I own an asus 5600 non ultra and its a solid proformer. Better texture rendering and more realistic images than my 9700pro but a bit glitchy on newer games at high res.

[no1_vern]

I believe you will be well served by the 9600XT.

I dont blame you for not wanting to spend more. I myself am waiting for HL2 or Doom3 to come out before I upgrade.

[camaro]

I just read in one of the reviews that you get a free voucher for HL2 with a purchase of 9600XT. In that link I gave to gameve.com there is no mention of that. How do I get that free copy of HL2? Do I need to buy a retail version of the card? Or will OEM be ok?

no1_vern, I already have a ATI 9800. This is for my sister's PC.

[cysus]

you get hl2 in the retail box and with an included code can download it when it is retail released.

You should get an fx5600ultra for your sister. In my opinion the only thing slowing it down is the bios and they will be constantly updated allowing a long life and good card. plus it a good price.