Rip my 7300GT Need a replacement on a tight budget

[Manlove is my forte]

I'm looking for a low cost replacement for my 7300 GT. All I use the PC for currently is for windows Vista, web surfing, watching movies and playing Starcraft 2 (which I don't mind playing on the lowest settings). This PC may or may not at some point have Linux installed on it (either dual boot or within a VMware ESXi VM)

What would you recommend. I'll spend up to £70 but would much prefer to spend a lot less (I'd be very happy spending £30 )

I've had a look through the OcUK Store and I end up starting at the £30 models then seeing the £31 model is has a bit more ram (or faster ram) and then the £32 model appears to be a better model etc. The next thing I know I'm looking at a £300 model thinking "I want that one". Then realising its 10x my original budget.

Edit: My monitor is a 20" 1680x1050 (although when I upgrade I am looking at between 22"-24" with possibly a higher resolution to match)

 

[marc512]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-221-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

Save yourself abit of money. I heard that is good at playing a good 1080p playback (if your into your bluray/hd movies). Its low power and will do everything you need. Maybe play starcraft 2 on relatively high settings...

but if you want to spend all £70

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-225-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673

Low power, performance, silent, will play starcraft 2 maxed probably.

 

[spicypixel]

If you want a headache free linux experience get a 8800GT or just keep in the nvidia camp...

 

[eddiew]

If you want a headache free linux experience get a 8800GT or just keep in the nvidia camp...

I'm inclined to agree, nVidia support on Linux has been historically superior to competitors, although the nearest thing now is a 9800GT (but that's pretty much the same card with a new name and a few % faster fps) You would have the question of how to play Starcraft 2 on Linux, however...

My 8800GT has served well for a good while now, driving a 1920x1200 monitor, but I will confess my only games these days are Torchlight and WoW :]

As an alternative a simple 9600GT is still going to be (quite a lot) faster than the OP's original graphics card and isn't quite as expensive.

Just looking at the list for nVidia Value cards, I really would avoid the GeForce 2xx line found there. 16 stream processors, what the heck? Is this 2005 again? Is it me, or do nVidia manage to drop down to the same base performance point no matter what generation of card they're manufacturing? :/

 

[Manlove is my forte]

Linux will be installed dual boot, or in a VM ESXi (if I ever get round to it) So I would still play SC on Windows