Buying a graphics card

[Achika]

I used to be fairly knowledgeable at computers at one point, and then I just let all that info slip. =(

Anyways, my physical checks passed, my diagnostics mostly passed (Hard drive was starting to fail, but replacing that didn't fix the issue I've been having.), RAM diagnostics pass. I've noticed pinkish dots on the white text on the first screen, something I've seen on a friend's before his graphics card failed. So I'm pretty set on it being a video card.

I'm trying to find a graphics card that is affordable, will do what I need it to do (FFXI and WoW), and such. I found some GeForce ones that would be able to run them, but they're all by different companies. @_@

Anyways, I thank you for any input. =D

[Djghost454]

By affordable what do you mean?

I would recomend around the 100 dollar mark an ATI 4850, if you can spring a lil higher, go with a GTX 260 or higher from Nvidia, BFG, XFX, and EVGA are the brands to look at in that market. If you can spring for around 200, get an XFX 4890, it's a killer card.

[mootsfox]

Budget?

Your system is old? Do you have a PCI-e slot, or just AGP?

[Weeks]

I got an XFX 4870 and then promptly got buyer's remorse when I read about the 5850 a week later.

Anyway, everything I've read about graphics cards while preparing this new computer can be summed up as follows: ATI currently crushes nVidia at every single pricing point. Figure out whether you want to spend $100, $150, $200, or $250, then buy any of the Radeons that cost that much.