Cheap AGP Card

[Noirceur]

Hey guys...my video card just burned out on my dell. I thought it was a good replacement idea but poor dell heat distribution has fucked me over once again. Any ideas on a decent AGP card? My range is 100-150$.

[Apoc]

If I scrounge up the money for a new card and/or system, I might be able to sell you my 9700 (NP flashed Pro) for cheap. Otherwise, you can probably pick up a 6800 series AGP for that price.

[Lord Kelvin]

A lot of some of the older cards should have dropped in price by now; for example, my brother got his 98 Pro at $150 (but wound up paying $200 because they wouldn't accept the rebate for some reason) almost exactly 2 years ago, so I would think that a 98 XT would likely be within that price range, albeit a bit obsolete. Though the first thing that I would suggest is to replace the motherboard since AGP is starting to phase out, I know that Dell cases are the hardest POS's to work with, having fought through hell myself installing the CD burner on mines, so if possible I would suggest an entirely new system instead.

[Noirceur]

A lot of some of the older cards should have dropped in price by now; for example, my brother got his 98 Pro at $150 (but wound up paying $200 because they wouldn't accept the rebate for some reason) almost exactly 2 years ago, so I would think that a 98 XT would likely be within that price range, albeit a bit obsolete. Though the first thing that I would suggest is to replace the motherboard since AGP is starting to phase out, I know that Dell cases are the hardest POS's to work with, having fought through hell myself installing the CD burner on mines, so if possible I would suggest an entirely new system instead.
I just need to run Red Orchestra on medium settings. I'm not expecting to have the computer more than a year. When I shore up the funds I intend to either buy an Alienware or try and make my own. I just can't afford a new system for at least a year. Are there any cheap temporary fixes for better airflow/head conduction?

[Enforcer]

I just need to run Red Orchestra on medium settings. I'm not expecting to have the computer more than a year. When I shore up the funds I intend to either buy an Alienware or try and make my own. I just can't afford a new system for at least a year. Are there any cheap temporary fixes for better airflow/head conduction?

If not already installed, put a fan in the back, or a couple. Also, try leaving the side open to allow some fresh air in.

For a video card, I have a 9700 Pro I could sell you for cheap money (Like $50 or something).

If not, look on eBay, you could easily score a 6600GT for sub $100

[Lord Kelvin]

If you're using a basic run-of-the-mill Dell, I might be able to help some. The case uses passive cooling, which IIRC is supposed to be efficient, but not well-performing. The power supply is also really crappy, around 150-200W or something. Dust collects really rapidly in there because of crappy airflow so I would suggest blowing it out once every couple of months or so with compressed air if possible, that includes opening up that green hatch on the passive cooling system. Otherwise, putting a fan on it and/or taking out the side panel helps too.

Assuming that it uses a Pentium processor like almost all Dells, you can try downloading a program called "Intel Application Accelerator", it's an official Intel application helps with some program overhead stuff, though I haven't noticed much of a difference on my computer.

[Lusty_Muffins]

GeForce 6800 256MB ('http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2201323&CatId=933')

$119.00



GeForce 7600 GS 512MB ('http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2427400&CatId=2234')

$149.00



ATI x1600 Pro 512MB ('http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2274914&CatId=2234')

$139.00

[Noirceur]

Yeah I found a decent card on newegg for 80 bucks. Thanks for the input though.