By: Sarju Shah and James Yu - Posted on Wednesday, Sept 20th, 2006

This video card guide will show you what cards are available in your price range and how they perform in today's PC games. If you're just starting to learn about video cards, we recommend that you check out GameSpot's Ten Things to Know Before Buying a Video Card guide to get a few basic buying tips before jumping into the roundup.

We've divided the video cards by price into four categories: high-end, performance, mainstream, and budget. Our budget list includes all the current-generation video cards available for $100 or less. The mainstream group includes cards that retail for up to $200. Bump the price range up to $200-$400 to get to our performance cards. And finally, we have our extremely broad high-end category that includes everything over $400 that covers both single cards and dual-card setups. We've focused on current-generation GeForce 7 series and Radeon X1K series video cards in this roundup. We opened our multi-part series with the high-end cards. The next installment covers the budget cards.

Mainstream Cards

Consider getting a card in the sub-$200 range if you're looking for a good value or just want something to hold you over until it's time to upgrade for next year's DirectX 10 games. This category almost always has one or two cards near the top of the range, $175 to $200, that offer very good performance comparable to much more expensive cards. This price range also has a few older-generation cards, such as the Radeon X850 XT, that might not be able to support the latest graphics effects but can still put out some great frame rates.

Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS

Street Price: $199-225
Core: 20 pixel pipelines, 450-525MHz
Memory: 256MB, 1.32-1.4GHz
Memory Interface: 256-bit

Nvidia's latest GeForce 7900 GS GPU is an absolute bargain. You'd normally expect to find a 20-pipe card with 256-bit memory in a higher price bracket. Chances are you'll also get a recent game with the pack-in bundle since the GS just started shipping. Our EVGA e-GeForce 7900 GS shipped with Hitman: Blood Money.

Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT

Street Price:$145-175
Core: 12 pixel pipelines, 560-580MHz
Memory: 256MB, 1.4-1.6GHz
Memory Interface: 128-bit

We get solidly into the mainstream category with the GeForce 7600 GT. The GPU is respectable with 12 pipes and a high clock speed, but the 128-bit memory might limit performance at more-challenging graphics settings.

Nvidia GeForce 7600 GS

Street Price: $100-150
Core: 12 pixel pipelines, 400MHz
Memory: 256-512MB, 800MHz
Memory Interface: 128-bit

The GeForce 7600 GS is a lot like the GT--they have the same number of pixel pipelines and vertex shaders, but the GS has lower GPU and memory clocks. The GS also gets dangerously close to budget territory, so watch out for those sketchy 512MB models.

ATI Radeon X1800 GTO

Street Price: $200-250
Core: 12 pixel pipelines, 500MHz
Memory: 256-512MB, 1GHz
Memory Interface: 256-bit

The Radeon X1800 GTO is a 12-pipe version of ATI's Radeon X1800 GPU. You'll find a few available online, but supplies should be drying up as ATI is currently preparing to release a new $200 card to go up against Nvidia's GeForce 7900 GS.

ATI Radeon X1600 XT

Street Price: $100-150
Core: 4 pixel pipelines (12 pixel shaders), 590-600MHz
Memory: 128-512MB, 1.4GHz
Memory Interface: 128-bit

The Radeon X1600 XT originally shipped with a $249 price tag, but ATI had to slash the price as the card's performance failed to compete with similarly priced cards. The XT fits in much better at its current price point, but it'll be replaced by the Radeon X1650 Pro as ATI's $100 mainstream option.

ATI Radeon X1600 Pro

Street Price: $100-130
Core: 4 pixel pipelines (12 pixel shaders), 500MHz
Memory: 128-512MB, 780-800MHz
Memory Interface: 128-bit

The Radeon X1600 Pro is another dead card walking. It's been replaced by the Radeon X1300 XT. You're better off picking up a Radeon X1600 XT or Radeon X1650 Pro for the same price.

What video card upgrades are you considering? Share your personal video card selection philosophy in the comments below!

1115 Comments

  • matt168

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 7:52 am PT

    no u wouldnt need 512 or 1gb vid memory 256mb is fine vram doesnt really matter. dual 8700GT would be better

  • djmokong

    Posted Nov 14, 2007 5:26 pm PT

    I need advice if its better to have a single or dual Geforce 8700GT 512MB DDR3 EXTREME GPU card? i just like to play games,and as long as the graphics are nice its fine with me. im just thinking if i really need dual cards or a single card would do.so far the games i've seen has recommended 256 mb of memory,so would i need 512 mb or 1gb o video card memory?is it better to have dual 512 mb cards?any advice would be great.thanks!!

  • matt168

    Posted Sep 27, 2007 7:48 pm PT

    where are u finding a 7950GT 512mb a budget? everywhere i look its close to $400

  • matt168

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 8:15 am PT

    could he ati radeon x1650pro play WoW at max settings fine?

  • Cheese202

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 4:31 pm PT

    I have a 7950 GT and i can still run every game i own at full settings at 1440x900 res... I've yet to find a game that i cannot crank. Of course, its gonna suffer soon as actual DX 10 games come into play, but the 300 bux i spent on it last year is a great value.

  • zephonwing

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 10:04 am PT

    7950GT 512MB is a fine, budget card right now' every game at max detail running at 1280x960 is more than enough for most people out there, including FEAR, Oblivion, Dark Messiah and X3, not to mention HL2.
    Plus, it's only around $200 now, since the 8600/8800 series came out. 07/2007

  • matt168

    Posted Jul 21, 2007 8:09 am PT

    i think ill stick with a 7900GS or if i fin the 1950pro ill buy it. but my 7300Gt works fine. F.E.A.R. at max without shadows, 2xaa 16xaf 1024x768 res i get 30fps+(i checked it with fraps)

  • el_carl

    Posted Jun 16, 2007 8:54 pm PT

    @Bennycal

    The x1950 pro is a bit better then the 7900 gs. Also, we can't tell you what YOU think a playable framerate is. Thats for you to decide. I can deal with slow fps until about 25 fps. Then I start getting frustrated.

  • unreal_ll417

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 10:08 pm PT

    Bennycal 7950 GT KO is better then the X1950pro the 7950 GT has 24 pixel pipelines and the X1950pro is running in crossfire and it only has 24 pixel pipelines

  • Bennycal

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 11:45 am PT

    Is the X1950Pro better than the 7900GS?

  • kjhsadmin666

    Posted May 28, 2007 7:31 am PT

    uhhh... yeah, the 7900GS is listed....

  • Bennycal

    Posted May 24, 2007 8:34 am PT

    also what would be a playable, smooth framerate for oblivion?

  • Bennycal

    Posted May 24, 2007 8:32 am PT

    Are 7900GS rubbish coz there not even listed here?

  • bulldog7

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 8:01 pm PT

    I agree, the tech guy at Dell should know what he is talking about. chances are you'll be fine to replace it. It's a new dell so it probably is standard PSU. But if you're really worried about this, pay Bestbuy or future shop $30 to install it and put all your fears away. That way, it won't get screwed up at all. They'll test it there and if it works, then awesome, no damage. if it fries, then they get to replace your computer for breaking it with incompetance. It's a win-win situation, really.

  • Trazac

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 3:25 pm PT

    Even if what bulldog says is true, if the manufacturer says it can take it, you should take their word since it is their computer and since they have tested them. Dell is a reliable company, so their word will help you with any hardware upgrade questions. Just never ask them to help fix your computer, you will wait weeks for their response and help, if they even try to help you in any way.

  • airwalk_102

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 2:33 pm PT

    well i was on the live chat with one of the dell people and i was told that the dell e520 will take a standard psu but after you telling me bout frying the comp im beginning to have doubts i really dont want to break this like 2 monthes after purchase

  • bulldog7

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 11:31 pm PT

    No, 305W is not the max output of your computer, it can go higher, I think something like 400W, but buying a new pSU is the safest thing to do for sure.

    I don't know what type your PSU is, but i've read horror stories of people replacing their Dell PSU's with regular ones and completely frying their computers. I'd get someone to just confirm the PSU you are buying is compatible. Or go to Future shop and let them install one for like $30 (so that if it fries, it's all their fault!!! ahhaha, no seriously, that's an option)

  • airwalk_102

    Posted Apr 6, 2007 6:52 am PT

    oh so is the 305w the current out put of all my hard ware?
    and thanks for taking the time to write all that
    also this isnt an older model its only just about 2 months old.
    ive also just been reading and i think i will get a new psu as there is a sligh chance that if the psu were to die it could take my motherboard with it.

  • bulldog7

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 9:39 pm PT

    airwalk_102:

    Hang on a sec. Don't go rushing out to buy a new power supply. Dell's power supplies are NOT rated the same as other PSUs, they are purposely rated less than others because they are NOT rating their max output, which others that you'd buy in a store do. I have a Dell Demension 8400 with a Dell rated PSU @ 350W, but Dell rates things differently. 305W is closer to 400W, 350W is even higher. Go onto the Dell community boards on dell.com and look at the threads. Even a Dell tech will tell you the rating is very different, it's not the same as others rate them.

    I'm actually running a 8800GTS 640MB on my Dell (350W); I am doing this on the advice I found at Dell.com, and it purrrs like a kitten, runs without a hitch. And it's all because the PSU can handle much more than 350W. From the thread on Dell.com, you'll find out that Dell underrates their PSU's by roughly 30%. So don't replace that PSU just yet!!!! Go look on the threads at Dell first, or call and talk to a tech there and see if they'll tell you what your max W is for your PSU.

    The rating is just different from other companies; other companies tend to list the MAX output for marketing purposes where Dell doesn't do this (cause they aren't selling PSUs I suppose).

    So ya, hold off on that for now until you find out (and again, i'm running a 8800GTS on a 350W dell system and it runs perfectly). But if you happen to decide to upgrade your PSU, then be careful. SOME, not all, but SOME dell PSUs (older models i'm told) are proprietary and require special replacement PSUs and not the standard ATX ones (even though they LOOK like standard PSUs!!!!)

    hope that helps

  • Trazac

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 3:24 pm PT

    @scoots9 http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTI5OSwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

  • airwalk_102

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 5:38 am PT

    thanks Trazac
    yeah was thinkin along the lines of a 550w psu and i will be getting a GTS its all i can afford found them chep enough on newegg.com. i am pretty sure it is only a 305watt which will just have to go so if i order the card i will order the psu with it.

  • scoots9

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 4:42 am PT

    How well will oblivion run at 1024x768 and 1280x1024 with a Radeon x1950 pro?

  • kncocalderon

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:09 pm PT

    thx guys......


    another question

    how can i see my power supply?? i pretty sure i sound like a retardesd, sorry my English its very bad,

  • Trazac

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 11:24 am PT

    @airwalk_102 get a 500w power supply if you want to get any G80 card. Also, if you bought a crappy Dell computer, get a new power supply, you'r gonna need one. Make sure you have 30amps on the +12v Rails @kcoalern Don't get a GX2, get an 8800 GTS/GTX since the are better and the GTS isaround the same price. Also, figure out your power supply, its more important than your mother board, so long yoru mother board has a PCI-E slot

  • airwalk_102

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 9:05 am PT

    hey all i was just wondering do you actually need a 400w powersupply for the 8800gts 320 mb i think i have a 305w but i really dont know it is a dell deminsion E520 and i was also wondering is there any special you would need for this i have a PCI-express slot 16x.
    if so i am willing to change the motherboard as you can overclock anything on a dell mobo

  • bulldog7

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 12:23 am PT

    ummm, crack open your case and see if there's enough room, another pci express slot. if not, then no. and your power unit needs to be able to support it too. Saying it's an intel motherboard really doesn't say much at all. It really depends on the specific motherboard.

  • kncocalderon

    Posted Apr 3, 2007 11:51 pm PT

    i have 2 gb ram, 3.4 intel dual core and intel motherboard with bus pci express can i have a Nvidia GeForce 7950 GX2???

  • bulldog7

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 1:52 am PT

    Just bought an 8800 GTS, Kicks ass; i highly recommend it. I'm running:

    P4 3gighz, 2gig Ram, 8800 GTS 640MB. All is smooth. And I bumped that card up from and x300, what a huge leap. And despite owning a Dell, i've been able to upgrade with minimal to no hassle.

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 21, 2007 2:03 pm PT

    Not if you have an intel board, and not if you only have one Slot

  • kncocalderon

    Posted Mar 18, 2007 9:58 pm PT

    i have 2 gb ram, 3.4 intel dual core and intel motherboard with bus pci express can i have a Nvidia GeForce 7900 GTX SLI???

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 14, 2007 8:03 pm PT

    X1950 Pro handels most games at 12x10 very well. I was surprised. Most people have monitors limited to 12x10, so its an awesome card when it comes to that resolution. The only game that I would say that you would have to go to 10x7 with would be oblivion, which isn't much to say since oblivion only plays really well on the G80 series. That and you could go up to 12x10, you owuld just have to disable grass and some shadows settings I believe.

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 14, 2007 5:31 pm PT

    lol srry computer was going really slow so i clicked a bunch of time

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 4:34 pm PT

    ok, i dont really care much for performace but my max resoutlion is only 1280x1024 but i mostly play at 1024x768 but as long as i play mostly all all medium settings+ i'm fine

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 4:34 pm PT

    ok, i dont really care much for performace but my max resoutlion is only 1280x1024 but i mostly play at 1024x768 but as long as i play mostly all all medium settings+ i'm fine

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 4:27 pm PT

    ok, i dont really care much for performace but my max resoutlion is only 1280x1024 but i mostly play at 1024x768 but as long as i play mostly all all medium settings+ i'm fine

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 4:27 pm PT

    ok, i dont really care much for performace but my max resoutlion is only 1280x1024 but i mostly play at 1024x768 but as long as i play mostly all all medium settings+ i'm fine

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 4:22 pm PT

    ok, i dont really care much for performace but my max resoutlion is only 1280x1024 but i mostly play at 1024x768

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 13, 2007 12:11 pm PT

    I would personally think that a good idea. The X1950 Pro does as well as the 7900 GT and almost as good as the 7950 GT at times. It also costs a crap load less. If you truly what a good look at it, go to guru3d.com, they have good articles.

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 11, 2007 6:42 pm PT

    its was oneo f the cards i was looking at and 7950GT was the other but should i just stick with a x1950 pro?

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 11, 2007 1:33 pm PT

    If you can find it for the right price, its an awesome card.

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 11, 2007 7:38 am PT

    is the 7900GT a good card?

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 9, 2007 11:51 am PT

    you forgot to mention it was better too. This is one more reason why stupid people shouldn't buy or mange a computer

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 8, 2007 6:12 pm PT

    $700 for a 1950XTX? wow u could have brougth a eVGA- super clocked 8800GTS for $300 and its only 9inches long and 4.4inches heigth and only need one pci-express x16 slot

  • KenRmaster

    Posted Mar 8, 2007 1:22 pm PT

    My boy bought the uber edition 1950XTX and now he feels jipped cause they're not DX10 .. poor kid and he just dropped down $700 big ones .. oooo weee.

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 3, 2007 4:01 pm PT

    1950 pro is better between those. But unless you really need it, don't buy a card right now. That and buy from newegg.com, its cheaper

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 3, 2007 12:57 pm PT

    i was looking at the price thy had for it at bestbuy. but which one of the 2 cards is better to get? idrc about these new dx10 cards

  • el_carl

    Posted Mar 3, 2007 10:41 am PT

    @matt168 Now you can get an xfx or evga or bfg 7900 gs for around $150

  • matt168

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 8:25 pm PT

    should i get a 7900GS or ati 1950 pro?

    and the dude looking for a new vid card for only 200-230$ u can get a pny verto 7900GS. my friend has it and plays bf2142 at all high settings and gets a constant 60-70fps

  • Trazac

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 12:07 pm PT

    The eVGA 8800 GTS 320 MB Super clocked just came out, it only costs $299, and the performance is just great. So in the long run, getting a card like the 7600 GT is a bad idea. Not to say its a bad card, just to say that its becoming dated quick. Buying a new card now wouldn't be a wise idea, especially if its from the 7 series cards. Wait until other things come out, and then decide what you should buy.

  • kman1572001

    Posted Feb 28, 2007 2:20 pm PT

    GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB is it good

advertisement

GameSpot's Video Card Roundup 2006

This video card guide will show you what cards are available in your price range and how they perform in today's PC games.

Tags