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View Full Version : Simple video card for desktop PC

Chad
10-10-10, 11:27 AM
I need a low (and I mean low, I'm broke) cost video card for my desktop. I don't need hundred percent fancy stuff, just something to play games with a decent frame rate. Right now I'm using integrated stuff and it's just not cutting it.

I'd like to stick to nVidia. I searched WalMart (that's where I intend to purchase from online, and I've narrowed the search to these:

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=nvidia&ic=16_0&refineresult=true&search_constraint=0&ref=0+500002+500001


Out of this list, this is the one in particular I'm really interested in. However, if you guys REALLY recommend another, I'll consider it.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/MSI-nVIDIA-GeForce-8400-GS-Graphics-Card/13969220


What do you think will work for just run-of-the mill gaming performance?
antikristuseke
10-10-10, 11:57 AM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161343&cm_re=5550-_-14-161-343-_-Product

That is about the lowest priced thing I can recomend. Dont know what Nvidia might have as an equivalent in that price range though.
Chad
10-10-10, 01:06 PM
That also is only a 512MB card, just like the one I linked. Do you think the one I linked would be able to run games or is it like an overpriced integrated card?
FIREWALL
10-10-10, 01:55 PM
Checkout TigerDirect http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5677155&CatId=3669Chad. Here's an example :

2 yr warrenty and good reviews. $26.99 1GB card.
antikristuseke
10-10-10, 02:10 PM
That also is only a 512MB card, just like the one I linked. Do you think the one I linked would be able to run games or is it like an overpriced integrated card?

There is a lot more to graphics cards than their vram ammount, the best thing you can do is set yourself a budget and look for reviews about cards that fit that budget, I could do that for you and locate the best bang for your buck if you'd like. Have nothing better to do at work.
JSLTIGER
10-11-10, 08:13 AM
VRAM is important, don't get me wrong, but in general, you should be willing to sacrifice some VRAM for a faster GPU (that is, the chip inside the graphics board). Know that with this level of card you're not going to be able to crank up the eye candy all that much. You'll do better than with integrated graphics though.