Windows 7: nVidia GT 220 or 9500 GT?

I'm building a computer and I don't know which one to get. I plan to use it for playing newer games such as SWTFU, Call of Duty, and other uhm...this generation games.

The system I plan on using it with is as follows:
Motherboard: ASRock M3A770DE
Memory: 4GB DDR3
Processor: AMD Phenom II X2 550 @ 3.31 GHz


GT 220: Newegg.com - Galaxy 22TGE8HX2IUN GeForce GT 220 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

9500GT: Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-N958-LR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

I'm looking for a semi-cheap card but at the same time I don't want to sacrifice performance. If you guys recommend something different, feel free to do so lol. I would also like to stay with nVidia, I've always had bad luck with ATI...

Neither. The memory interface on those cards is low (128-bit). That's why they're so cheap. You'll get much better performance out of a card with a higher memory interface (256-bit+). The ram isn't as important, you can get away with a 512MB card, but if you really want the 1GB it's only $15 more.

I.E. EVGA GeForce 9800 GT - 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCIe x16 2.0 $75 after mail in rebate

If you really want the 1GB of ram, go with this card:

EVGA GeForce 9800 GT - 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCIe x16 2.0 $90 after mail in rebate

Memory interface is much more important than the amount of ram. You'll notice much more difference between the two. ATI increases theirs mostly with GDDR5 ram topping out at 256-bit and NVIDIA stuck with GDDR3 which tops out at about 448-bit so far. According to some sources, GDDR5 is twice as fast but you also have to take into account the memory interface itself with an equivalent ATI card to the 9800 GT only running at 128-bit. The same is with the higher end cards, the high 5 series are 256-bit and the GTX 2 series is 448-bit.

I see, is there a significant difference?

Between the 512MB and 1GB? I'd say not a huge difference, but there will be a difference. If you're worried about it, spend the extra $15.

I'm not, I'm just wanting to be able to play modern games on max settings without a performance lag. I currently have a GeForce Go 7600 which sucks majorly, especially when playing not-so-much modern games such as Half-Life 2.

IMO If your looking to play modern games on max settings without performance lag your going to have to get a much better card. You could probably get by with high settings but not max. My 9800 gt played most games well on high but not max. Their are still some games I can't use max settings on with a GTX 260 superclocked. Fabe

The TouchSmart PC IQ770 has PCI-E 1.0 (HP doesn't say is 2.0/2.1 so I assume its 1.0) and it has a MXM Connector, this will limit what GFX upgrade you can get. Also you have to consider the PSU, if will be powerfull enuff for a better GFX card.

those two are low-end cards. so don't dream about max settings. you need at least 260 or HD 5770. and 1GB of memory is much better than 512MB. for example i play GTAIV with everything maxed out and it uses over 700MB of my 1GB card.

Memory matters but the memory interface is twice as important, you're much better off with a card that has less memory but a higher memory interface. Though, if you can get both as in the GTX 260 (448-bit, 896MB) then you're going to be doing better.

You should really check what your computer can power and support as mentioned. To use a modern card you'll need a PCIe x16 2.0 slot and if you want to use a GTX 260 you'll need atleast a 550 watt PSU maybe more.

agreed. for example: 6200 with 64bit 1GB is a joke.