decisons on what to get

[Bud]

k guys i have a budget of $150-200 for new computer parts.
my current rig is
A7N8X deluxe
2500 barton @ 2.3 GHz and still have more to go :rockon:
pny 512 3500 (compusa has on there site)
slk-7 with 80mm tornado
9000 pro
xp pro

i was think of a new video card or ram. like 9600xt or a 1gb ram (2x512) cause i think my ram isnt that great, i dunno. K guys give me some input

[TheBaron]

i'd get a 9700 np or a 9600 xt if you play any games at all. otherwise, get yourself another gig , half a gig of ram

[madmat]

I'd get the video card now and get the ram later. For gaming you'll see a bigger performance gain by going from the 9000 to the 9600XT than with going from cheap ram to quality PC3500 or PC3200 and overclocking the CPU further with the 9000 still in the rig.

[Geeky1]

PNY ram is good...

I suggest you check Newegg's refurbished video card section obsessively; once or twice an hour, at least (setting it to your home page would be ideal). They don't have a set update schedule, and if you don't get there pretty much as soon as they update it, the good stuff will be gone.

Look for a 9700 Pro, 9700, 9500 Pro, 9600XT, 9600 Pro, 9500, or 9600 (in order from fastest --> slowest). Stay away from the 9600SE, though.

[Bud]

k whats a better video card 9600xt or saphire 9600xt

[Geeky1]

Should be identical, but my preference is for either built-by-ATi or ASUS cards, as I've dealt with both company's RMA departments and know that if I kill it, I can get it replaced; I don't know about Sapphire.

[Clutch]

Sapphire cards have been good for me, Got 3 video cards from them in the past, working like a charm.

[Armo]

theres a card at circuit city, a radeon 9800 for $200 no rebates and u can ios hack it to a radeon 9800 pro