So, I'm buying a custom-built PC from a friend who's moving away soon.

I'll probably buy the PC this week...but I'm considering buying a better graphics card than the x800 that's in it.

I don't have a ton of money...I know there's deals out there...can someone point me in the direction of the best graphics card I can buy for $150 or less?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143090 - a little over

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229 - if u really want DX10


I should probobly ask, is it AGP or PCI express.

and what kind of PSU ur rig has

and maybe the processor and RAM too, to try to avoid any obvious bottlenecks

This is probably what I would go with (assuming you have PCI-e)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3048543&CatId=1558

^ What Avalach said.

I would recommend the 7950. The 8600 doesn't performs that well under Direct3D10 anyway... I miss the days when middle-range cards gave middle-range performance... *sigh*

It won't be a lot of time before the 8800 gets a price cut, especially the GTS. Those are REAL D3D10 performers.

I dunno what the processor exactly is yet...it's a Intel Duo Core...probably average, but dual core anyway. 2 gigs of ram. I think it's a 500 W power supply...I don't think the psu is a problem...

And yeah, PCI express.

Hmm...Avalach21's second link is enticing...$140 for 8600 GT...plus Company of Heroes...

Though HappySqurriel's link is good too...better card...$10 more and no CoH...

Hmm...all done at the end of August too...argh...

Allow me to point out ye ole standby site, Tom's Hardware.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/06/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page3.html

I have an x1950xt.