Need a cheap but decent graphics card

[akiratheoni]

I've never been a gamer really but I think it's time I get a decent video card. My computer currently has an Intel GMA 950 integrated so it's not the best.

I do have several games that I play every so often. The graphics card is the only portion of my computer that is really bad, I have 2GB of RAM and an Intel Core 2 Duo so the only thing stopping me from playing the games without too much lag is the graphics card. Perhaps I can get some of the better Compiz-Fusion plugins working, too.

Of course that means that I am currently dual booting with Windows Vista. But I'm certain almost every graphics card will support it so I don't need to worry about Vista. It's Ubuntu that I need to worry about.

Since nVidia support is pretty good on Linux (at least better than ATI) I think I'll go for an nVidia card. But I'm not really into the whole gaming scene so I know absolutely nothing about graphics cards and the models and everything.

The games that I play on my computer would be:

• Halo (just the first one, not the second or third)
  
• Counterstrike (1.6 and Source)
  
• Morrowind
  
• Postal 2
  

So I need a card that would at least play those games fine. The card should also be compatible with Ubuntu without a lot of trouble.

Also if I do get a card, can anyone explain the standard procedure for installing drivers for nVidia cards? Since I have an Intel GMA 950, there wasn't a whole lot of things to do nor did I have to install third party drivers... it just worked.

As for money, I just turned 18 so I'm getting some money from my relatives and my birthday party is this week. I'll be buying a 1TB hard drive so that would run me about $200... would a budget of around $120 or less be good for a graphics card? I don't know what constitutes a 'cheap' graphics card or anything of that sort. I've never had anything more than an Intel integrated card in all of my computers.

Remember, I don't need anything top of the line... just something that works. To summarize, it should:

• Play the games I listed above
  
• Be easy to work with on Ubuntu
  
• Price range: Cheap as possible, but probably $120 or less would be good
  
• Would be nice if it was quiet and doesn't require me to get a new power supply
  

Thanks everyone. If this isn't in the right section, feel free to move it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130085

^^ This card looks good, it has a decent review on Newegg and is quite cheap, does anyone have any experience with it?

[KZWings]

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130085

Decent enough card. Just make sure you have a PCI-e slot.

[White Cuban]

Ubuntu supports any modern card you'll throw at it, the companys don't really care for linux, its linux that cares for us.

Get an ATI card, they're pwning nvidia in all markets right now, high to low.

there are some mid range 4000 Series card quite new, i forgot they're name, maybe 45xx or 46xx

i reccomend you thoose, or even low end ones.

[Srugie Veteran]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130380

EVGA 512-P3-N975-AR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

$124.99 ($109.99 After Rebate)

Great Price for a Great Card!

[Argote]

POWERCOLOR AX3870 512MD3-PH Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

ZEROtherm Copper VGA Cooler

$99.99 ($69.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814131095

So you're getting an ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB and a better cooler for only $70. This card will cream the aforementioned 8600GTS and is only a little bit behind the 9800 GT while being significantly cheaper

That is an excellent deal :)

Plus ATI support for Linux has been superb for a few months now

[akiratheoni]

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130085

Decent enough card. Just make sure you have a PCI-e slot.

I'm looking at this one... its reviews are overwhelming favorable plus it's pretty cheap. I'm going to open up my computer in a sec so I'll check if I have a PCI-e slot.

[IceBreakerG]

Off topic (slightly), but if you want a 1TB drive, ZipZoomFly has a Seagate for $121.99. I bought one last week along with my new motherboard and a sata dvd drive. $200 for a 1TB drive is a ripoff right now especially when you can get the new 1.5TB drives for like $180 or so.

[gummyz]

For the games listed:

* Halo (just the first one, not the second or third)

* Counterstrike (1.6 and Source)

* Morrowind

* Postal 2

You won't need anything that powerful. The 8600GT is a good card, but the price you'll pay, you can probably find better (price and performance). Check to see if you have PCI-E or AGP first. Most current gen GPUs (even the low end ones) will play those games just fine with resolutions lower than 1680x1050. It all depends on how far you want to stretch the video card when playing possibly newer games.

Also keep in mind, some of the newer mid-range video cards require an extra PCI-E power plug. This sometimes means you'll need to upgrade the Power Supply also.

Finally, 200 for 1TB seems pricey to me.

[RAID 0]

I have the 8600 GT with 512 DDR3 and it works; I like it. It plays all the games I like at medium to high settings depending on the game. However, after seeing a 8800 GT in action, I'm upgrading later this week to the 9800 GT... along with a few other goodies. ;)

[akiratheoni]

I think I forgot to note it but I'm looking for an external 1TB hard drive since I have several computers in the house, the hard drive will be moving a bit. I saw an external hard drive at OfficeMax for $179.99 on sale but I assume it'll be a lot cheaper online (haven't bothered to check... the video card is more important).

My friend recommended this card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130378

And it's cheaper than the one I posted in my OP, but it's a 9500, not 8600 or 8800. Is it good? I read several reviews on it and it said that it's quiet and doesn't use a lot of power. I'd rather not get another power supply like I said so this sounds good. The graphics performance though I read is similar to that of the 8600 or something.

[RAID 0]

the 9500 is about par with the 8600 and 7600... maybe slightly faster.

[Argote]

Honestly the 3870 I recommended for $70 is a great deal

[+shift. MVC]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...p;Tpk=HD%204650

HD 4650 anyone?

[Argote]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...p;Tpk=HD%204650

HD 4650 anyone?

The 3870 will give better performance and end up costing the same

[akiratheoni]

Honestly I think I'll go with nVidia... I know ATI support is getting better but I don't want to take the risk. I'd rather have something that works for sure. Thanks for the suggestions though.

[gummyz]

The 9500GT is a decent enough card for your needs. Again keep in mind how far into the future you wish to keep this because it is a low end card and games coming out probably won't play as well in high resolutions. Remember AGP or PCI-E :p