Graphics card/RAM solutions needed

[gazozborne]

A friend needs a card that can play newish games decently. (Well, DOW & Rome Total War - mostly RTS games).

He's currently got an onboard intel extreme gfx which shares the RAM, of which he only has 256mb!

Looking to spend around £180ish, i've narrowed it down to the below but looking for any suggestions on whats cheaper/better.

GeIL 512MB PC3200 Value CAS2.5
£24.95
GX-037-PC PowerColor ATI Radeon X850 XT 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
£129.95
Subtotal £154.90
VAT £27.11
Total £182.01

or

GeIL 512MB PC3200 Value CAS2.5
£24.95
GX-016-GI Gigabyte GeForce 6800 GS 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) & Quake 4 Bundle
£119.95
Subtotal £144.90
VAT £25.36
Total £170.26

Cheers!

 

[hartty]

1st one mate, the x850xt is on par with the 6800 ultra and the 6800gs is on par with the 6800gt so the x850xt is the quicker card

 

[Cerberous]

I'd go for option 1, the X850 will perform better than the 6800, also go for an extra 512mb RAM if he can afford it, especially with RTS games when there's lots going on in the game, that extra 512 RAM will definately help keep things smooth.

Cerb

 

[Pee For]

Check the mobo supports PCI express.
Any computer with only 256 ram should have been built before PCI express was born.
May have to rethink on AGP lines.
Full spec of the system you're working on would help here.