What can be the best video card to buy if you can only spend up to $100?

I want a new video card and only have $100. I have PCI Express x16 and a 400W power supply.|||^

AND NO, AN 8600 is NOT A GOOD BUY!!! RIP OFF!!! An 8600 card only ostensibly has DX10 capability and is no faster than a 7600 which is $100 less. 8600's can run DX10 shaders but these cards are too slow to use that ability in any video game. For all intents and purposes any card below an 8800 GTS / GT does not truly have DX10 capability.



Solutions:

{$100 to $150}

a) 7950 GT {this is about as good as an 8800 GTS}

b) Nvidia 7900 GS or 7800 GT

c) ATI x1950 pro or XT



You can purchase these cards used on eBay for around that price if you are careful. They can run modern games with good frame rates and on high resolutions.



{$50 to $90}

a) 7600 GT OC {similar performance to 8600 GT/GTS}

b) 6800 GT Ultra

These are just "okay" and can play most modern games on medium settings.



Don't be fooled into getting an 8 series for DX10. Only the most expensive DX10 cards (8800 GT@$400+) can actually utilize DX10. So DX10 is irrelevant for your budget.



However, the power supply must be of high enough quality and have good rails. 400 watts doesn't mean anything if its a low quality power supply. Cooler master or Antec are good PSU brands.



"Yes, You can get a 8600GT but I would recommend You to wait a little for the 9xxx series



They will also support DX10.1"



Yeah, he is really going to get a 9xxx series card for under $100. (sarcasm) Did you even read what he wrote? And no an 8600 is not a good deal, an 8600 GT is no more capable than a 7600, it just costs more than a 7600. For DX10 to actually run you need to run multiple 8800's sli which is way over this guy's budget.|||what's a video card?

no, i really need to know!!|||Some kind of ATI card. I don't know exactly. Sorry.|||check out what consumers union has to say on the mdels in your $ range.|||Honestly, there are many new ones on ebay. i got an geforce 8500 for 60 bucks- unopened!!!!

obviously check the sellers rating but you can be on your way to a great card|||to be completely honest, a good video card by today's graphic intense standards costs anywhere from 150-350...i would have to say youd be wasting your money if you buy one for $100...save a lil more :D|||Trade off with your friends , This way you save the $100.00 bucks and get to play more games......|||NVIDIA 8600GT. a very nice gpu for 100 dollars.|||Yes, You can get a 8600GT but I would recommend You to wait a little for the 9xxx series



They will also support DX10.1|||look into refurbished and open box deals|||See all those crazy gamers who insist on having the latest and bets? Grab their used 1950Pros or 7900GTs - these are way better than 8600s!