Older computer, Need help deciding on best video card for 60$ USD or under

[DaveOfDefeat]

Right now I do not have enough money to purchase even a basic gaming computer, and I wont for a good while.

I need to find out what the best graphics card (agp4x/8x) to purchase at around 60 USD would be. I just want to be able to play CSS on medium-high settings in at least DX8 mode, and BF2 functionally on whatever settings be required, but this is at the very least- I want to play as many titles at the highest FPS and settings possible for this pricerange.

Here are my system specs...note that I have no idea what the power supply deal is with my system, its probably not that much. Dell Optiplex GX260, stand-up case version.

Processor Information:
Vendor: GenuineIntel
Speed: 2258 Mhz
1 logical processor
1 physical processor
HyperThreading: Unsupported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Unsupported
SSSE3: Unsupported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Unsupported
SSE42: Unsupported

Operating System Version:
Windows XP (32 bit)
NTFS: Supported

Video Card:
Driver: Rage Fury Pro/Xpert 2000 Pro (Microsoft Corporation)

DirectX Driver Name: ati2dvaa.dll
Driver Version: 5.1.2600.0
DirectX Driver Version: 6.13.10.5019
Driver Date: 3 Aug 2004
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
DirectX Card: Rage Fury Pro/Xpert 2000 Pro (Microsoft Corporation)
VendorID: 0x1002
DeviceID: 0x5046
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Desktop Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Primary Display Size: 12.60" x 9.45" (15.75" diag)
32.0cm x 24.0cm (40.0cm diag)
Primary Bus Type Not Detected
Primary VRAM: 32 MB
Supported MSAA Modes Not Detected

Sound card:
Audio device: Sound Blaster Audigy

Memory:
RAM: 1022 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Microphone: Not set
Media Type: DVD
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 38154 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 8406 Mb
Steam Hard Disk Usage: 4446 Mb
OS Install Date: Feb 26 2010
Game Controller: None detected

I used to play CSS on low-medium settings in dx8 mode decently using a 5500fx, but I rather get more bang for my buck this time around.

[FalcoLombardi]

Just save up for a new build. It will be worth the long wait.

[Big D Duchovny]

Not worth it.

[DaveOfDefeat]

I don't think you guys understand. I can not save up for it, because all of my paycheck goes to car insurance and the like. I would literally have to wait 6 or more months to even approach 150$ spendable on computer parts. I have no other option for playing games.

I apologize for not explaining this more thoroughly in the first post.

[FalcoLombardi]

Well you could upgrade, but it won't be worth it at all. I'll look for some GPUs right now.

[DaveOfDefeat]

[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;26450917]Well you could upgrade, but it won't be worth it at all. I'll look for some GPUs right now.[/QUOTE]

Thank you kindly

[FalcoLombardi]

4650 is the best you can get really. Actually it should do well for CS:S for High Settings at 1024x768. Your CPU will bottleneck a bit though.

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125281[/url]

[editline]2nd December 2010[/editline]

$62 with rebate

[MrEndangered]

You should be able to pick up some of the 7-series Nvidia cards really cheap on Ebay these days. Some of them go for around $70-80

A 7600 GT can play most games fairly well except anything made in the last year or two, it's the card I have at the moment. But your CPU really is going to struggle, and I suggest you try and save as much money as possible.

[FalcoLombardi]

[QUOTE=MrEndangered;26451014]You should be able to pick up some of the 7-series Nvidia cards really cheap on Ebay these days. Some of them go for around $70-80

A 7600 GT can play most games fairly well except anything made in the last year or two, it's the card I have at the moment. But your CPU really is going to struggle, and I suggest you try and save as much money as possible.[/QUOTE]

Seems like OP has some financial problems so no.

[editline]2nd December 2010[/editline]

You know it would be better for him to get a cheaper AGP card and a better CPU.

[MrEndangered]

[QUOTE=FalcoLombardi;26451035]Seems like OP has some financial problems so no.

[editline]2nd December 2010[/editline]

You know it would be better for him to get a cheaper AGP card and a better CPU.[/QUOTE]

7-series are AGP aswell.

Both the cards we mentioned are also a similar price.

[DaveOfDefeat]

Apparently my power supply is rated at maximum 250 Watts

[Big D Duchovny]

[QUOTE=DaveOfDefeat;26451155]Apparently my power supply is rated at maximum 250 Watts[/QUOTE]

Then I wouldn't dare coming near it with even a 4650 in it.

[MrEndangered]

Get a cheap 400W, get a 4650. Might be able to get something that can run source nicely, then.

[thf]

[QUOTE=MrEndangered;26476181]Get a cheap 400W, get a 4650. Might be able to get something that can run source nicely, then.[/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017&Tpk=cx%20430[/url]

Shame they don't sell CX 400 anymore since it's actually better than the new series.

[poopsicle]

4650.

[cdlink14]

-Removed-

My own dumbass fault for not reading the thread properly.

[Reapaninja]

[QUOTE=cdlink14;26487530]You could get a Radeon X1650Pro, I had one with my old 200W PSU and had no problems.

[editline]4th December 2010[/editline]

[URL]http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SAPPHIRE-X1650-PRO-256MB-AGP-DVI-VGA-VIDEO-CARD-/220685205690?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3361dd00ba[/URL]

Cheap, and seller has good feedback. And just to be in the safe zone you'll have enough left over to buy a cheap PSU.

[editline]4th December 2010[/editline]

+ this PSU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170014[/url]
= 61.99[/QUOTE]

what the fuck is wrong with you

[cdlink14]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;26487751]what the fuck is wrong with you[/QUOTE]
If you have a problem with my recommendation at least try to post criticism as to why you think it's bad instead of just flaming.

[Reapaninja]

you recommended [B]logisys[/B]

I shouldn't have to explain what's wrong

[editline]4th December 2010[/editline]

if you don't see what's wrong then just leave this section

[cdlink14]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;26488003]you recommended [B]logisys[/B]

I shouldn't have to explain what's wrong

[editline]4th December 2010[/editline]

if you don't see what's wrong then just leave this section[/QUOTE]

Sorry... I just searched for a PSU that suited in price with the video card the actual output on the 12V rails also seemed sufficient for the card.

[Babnux]

[QUOTE=cdlink14;26488064]Sorry... I just searched for a PSU that suited in price with the video card the actual output on the 12V rails also seemed sufficient for the card.[/QUOTE]

I like how the first four reviews for that PSU are about how it has died after two months.

[cdlink14]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;26488138]I like how the first four reviews for that PSU are about how it has died after two months.[/QUOTE]
Yeah my own dumbass fault for not putting much effort into searching.

Also I'm loll'ing so hard at the 5th review, some guy is running a 5770 from that PSU...