The Best/ Cheapest Video card Improvement for me?

[Silent_Ninja]

I have a crappy old computer. I'm surprised that it can run TF2, However I'm slowly going to upgrade it step by step and my first step is finding a decent/ cheap video card that can fit my specs.Help?If I need to post anything else in Specs let me know, I'm not to computer smart...


Specs:
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: BIOSTA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
Memory: 768MB RAM
Page File: 571MB used, 874MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (72Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7519 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/16/2008 14:01:00, 6108928 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 5/16/2008 14:01:00, 6557408 bytes

 

[Duality]

To be honest its hard to suggest spending money on an AGP graphics card, better to save your money and upgrade more all at once.

but if you insist...

for $90-ish with shipping you can get an ATI 3650:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102762

I found an "Open Box" (aka just the card, nothing else) ATI HD2400PRO for about $40 - $45 w/ shipping (depends on where you live):
http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/VT24P256AGP

Any other questions let me know, I'm also in vent almost every night

 

[Homie Q]

I agree with duality getting an agp is kinda pointless especially when you plan on upgrading your system=card becomes almost useless on newer pci-express mobos. If anything try upgrading your mobo and processor first before you get a video card because the video card will most likely bottleneck if you have a weak system anyway.

 

[warshy]

I agree with duality getting an agp is kinda pointless especially when you plan on upgrading your system=card becomes almost useless on newer pci-express mobos. If anything try upgrading your mobo and processor first before you get a video card because the video card will most likely bottleneck if you have a weak system anyway.

yea...my friend bought a 8800gt coupled with his old school atlon cpu...lag even in source games

 

[Duality]

Source games are very CPU dependent, so a GPU can only increase performance to a certain limit then the bottleneck kicks in.

As thge saying goes a chain can only be as strong as its weakest link. Same goes for computers.

 

[AWPerator]

If you absolutely NEED to get something better, get some more RAM.
768MB?! Get at least 2 gigs.

 

[kevdawg]

To be honest its hard to suggest spending money on an AGP graphics card, better to save your money and upgrade more all at once.

Agreed. Save up first. Start making a wishlist on newegg of your completely spec'd out computer with the essentials: Mobo, Ram, Proc, Video card.

 

[Not-Z]

This is what I think of AGP, and Pentium 4.

They are both dead, they are dead and buried and have turned into fossil fuel.

It's time for a big haul of upgrades.