Which graphics card should I use for a widesceen monitor?

[canada3952]

I recently got a widescreen monitor and have been meaning to get a graphics card for my computer, and im hoping to find one within the range of 100 dollars or so, maybe a bit more, i've found the radeon 9250 and the 9550 but I really dont know which one is better, and I am hoping to use this card for some casual gaming, I have Rome Total War but its doesnt work with what I have.

[sweeper2]

out of those two cards.. the 9550 is the best choice... don't even bother with the 9250 .... but those are mostly LOW end cards... meaning ... game play will be on the low end of graphics...

are you looking at AGP or PCI-E ... with those 2 cards.. I am assuming AGP ...

[sweeper2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814145139

99$ + shipping - a 20$ mail in rebate...

alot better then either of the cards you are looking at...

[canada3952]

thanks for helping and giving some advice

[sweeper2]

are you in Canada.. i just noticed the name.. not sure if Newegg ships there or not...

[canada3952]

haha no, texas, long story there

[scourge]

If you're not going to play any games or do 3D modeling, etc., buy the cheapest 'new' card you can find to run the resolution you want with your monitor. Otherwise, I agree with sweeper2. The 9250 is built on ancient tech. Worthless nowadays IMO. The 9550 ain't much better. It's basically an underclocked version of the 9600 which is already slow by today's standards.

If I had to guess, the card he linked to would probably run games 3x faster than the 9550.

Not to rant, but shopping for vid cards is tough. There are so many model numbers and different variations that even informed folks (which I like to consider myself) can't keep it straight.

Please post some more info about your system (AGP or PCI-E, etc.) and what you plan to use the vid card for (gaming or just web browsing). We might be able to help ya better.

[mrniceguy]

fyi, this would be the next step up
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130076 ~$120

edit: since you're talking about buying such old technology I thought I'd check to see if your motherboard is agp 1.0 or 2.0...if you don't know post you mobo model or if it's a dell or something post the model of the system.

[carl33p]

Im pretty sure the Radeon 9550 only comes in AGP. So i hope you have an AGP slot. You can find it as cheap as $33: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814241011R

A Nvidia 6200 would be a lot better for about the same price you can find the 9550: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150107

This 6800XT performs much better than all these cards for 100$:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814141038
9800PRO would be a decent choice for 80$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131213

[Coolzer]

Sorry if this is thread stealing, but i have a 6600GT and am thinking going DVI with my Benq 1440x900 LCD WS. Has the GF 6 series got DVI problems?

[Peter M]

Yes it does, but at 1440x900 at 60 Hz, you should still be safe. YMMV.

[Coolzer]

It is worth paying $40AUS to upgrade to DVI though

[sweeper2]

my widescreen works fine at 1440X900 at 60hz ... DVI ...

but that's max for my screen.. to be honost... DVI and AGP .. i havn't noticed a tremendous difference... but i am not a tech savy on DVI either... LOL ... i'm still trying to figure it all out to ...

[Coolzer]

yeah, i'm beggining to wonder whether it's worth it?