Windows 7: Need an affordable (cheap) graphics card with enough umph.

Hi!

I'm in need of an upgrade to my graphics card, since my 3 year old ATI Radeon HD 5670 has died on me just recently. I'm currently using some old GeForce card a friend lent me, and I'm having trouble running GTA San Andreas on medium settings with it, so an upgrade would be much appreciated. My price range is not particularly vast: 0-100 bucks (hey, I'm a cheapskate, sue me!) So, what are my options?

Just so you know, I'm not into torturing my PC with games like Diablo 3 and Prototype 2. But I'd at least like to play Dirt 3 and GTA IV on highest settings.

I'm currently looking into some ATI cards, specifically HD6670. Do you guys think it's a good choice? I mean, it is a GDDR5 card, and a 2GB version (but with DDR3, I think) is available on Newegg. But my friend tells me I shouldn't get an ATI card again, and should go for Nvidia. I respect that, but I just don't see much of a difference between two brands, except for the price, where ATI looks cheaper.



I think I've already uploaded my system specs to this website, but if you need something else, hit me up in this thread.

Oh yeah, my PCU is capable of 500w, if I remember correctly. Or it could be 450, or maybe 550, I forget, but it's around that number. Hope it helps.


PS: Please don't give me crap like "GEFORCE 4 LIFE, MAN!" I'd like a professional to tell me exactly what I need.

I'm not a Professional and not a fanboy of either side. I have a 6950 and a GTX670. But newegg's list of gpu cards for under $100 Lists quite a few. Probably the best for the reviews is the HIS 6750 1GB. I've never used that brand but it gets very good reviews. You take a look and decide.

Nice, that's a pretty big list!

What do you think about the first one on that page (GIGABYTE GT400)? Do you think it'd be any good?

If you sorted the list by best rating the Asus 6670 should be the first listing. If I understand the numbering scheme the Gt400 series is 2 generations old and are comparable to the AMD 5000 series.

I'm not a professional, and I don't own one, but the Radeon HD 7750 looks like the best deal at the moment. It ought to be a significant upgrade over a 5670. (PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmark Charts - Video Card Model List)

www.newegg.com has several of them at just over $100. (Just under $100, with rebate.)

I agree with bobkn, I didn't see that one.

Hey, thanks for advice, guys. Right now I'm between 6670 and 7750, will wait on a second word from the friend (he's a computer know-it-all, aka geek.) I'll let you know on what I decide.