Best Graphics Card for £30-£35...?

[Bananadude]

Looking for a decent GFX card for about £30-£35. Won't be used for gaming, as it's just for a build I'm doing for my dad, so basic use really. I have an XFX 6600GT (128mb) which I was thinking of using, but would a cheap new card be better for £30-£35, or would I just be wasting my money??

 

[Naffa]

Which slot are you using? AGP or PCIE?

 

[Bananadude]

The 6600GT is an AGP card. Motherboard I will be using for this build is the DS3. Will the 6600GT even be compatible come to think of it?

 

[mcc49]

I very much doubt you will be able to get a new £35 card that outperforms a 6600GT, that card should be more than capable for what you are doing

edit- if you're on about the DS3 for C2D, then you will have to buy a new PCIE card I am afraid

 

[Raikiri]

Nope, won't work in the DS3 I'm afraid.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-071-MS

Very slow but at least it isn't a turbo cache, best bet would be a second hand 6600GT/x800gt/7600GS if you're very lucky

 

[Bananadude]

What's wrong with Turbo Cache? I saw this one;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-028-BG

No good??

 

[sja360]

best bet would be a second hand 6600GT/x800gt/7600GS if you're very lucky

OTT for what the OP needs. just basic desktop/playing video usage by the sounds of it. something like a x300 or similar on the nvidia side would even do.

 

[Raikiri]

OTT for what the OP needs. just basic desktop/playing video usage by the sounds of it. something like a x300 or similar on the nvidia side would even do.

And what card did I suggest? A 6200 which has better video playback than the x300 series for £30, but there are also faster alternatives if he wants them.

What's wrong with Turbo Cache? I saw this one;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-028-BG

No good??

Turbo cache uses system memory when running a 3D app, as well as making the whole system slower it cripples the graphics card.

 

[Bananadude]

Turbo cache uses system memory when running a 3D app, as well as making the whole system slower it cripples the graphics card.

But I doubt any 3D apps will be used. It will be general desktop use (using Win XP), video playback, DVD, net use etc. The chance of any games being played is virtually nil, and certainly no danger of 3D apps like Maya being used!!

Taking this into account, would the 7300 be a superior card to the MSI 6200 you recommended? Only £5 difference.

Maybe should point out also that a 20" LCD monitor is being used (1680x1050 res), if that makes any difference.

 

[Raikiri]

The 6200 is cheaper

 

[sja360]

The 6200 is cheaper

i recommend his idea also, turbocache will steal ram

 

[Cyber-Mav]

when on a budget as low as yours you should check out the members market or other second hand alternatives to stretch your cash the furthest.
if new then a 7300 cheapest of the bunch is the best idea. if you got more money though a 7300gt would be the best way to go, iv seen them go for £52 inc vat and delivery.