The current cards in question:

GIGABYTE GV-NX88T256HV1 GeForce 8800 GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
SAPPHIRE 100218L Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP

Just looking for some advice on a replacement card for my old Radeon x700 because the heatsink crapped out, among other things. I'm open to cards other than these, as well.

I've read the short list, which recommends the ATI 2600XT (as a tie) for <$100, and the Nvidia 8800 GT 512 mb for <175$. I don't know how 256 mb vs 512 mb makes a difference in that recommendation. My board has one PCI x16 slot, so no cross/SLI.

Currents specs:
P4 2.80 ghz CPU
1 gig memory (2x 512, unsure of what it was)
500 w supply
800 MHz FSB

What I want to play:
Source engine games
Oblivion
Sins of a solar empire

What else I need it to do:
Output to my crappy TV (I think that's universal by now?)
Not sound like the space shuttle taking off (The CPU is bad enough)

Budget: under $75, but under $100 if it really matters. I just want to change my card, as that is the only thing causing my grief at this time.

Thank you very much for your time.

8800. 8800 ANYTHING. 2600 is crap, I don't care how much RAM it has. Just as giant rims on a Corsica does not a sports car make, lots of RAM on a weak graphics core doesn't make it perform any better. They could put 4 GB of RAM on a 2600 it would still be worthless. So, in conclusion, 8800. Whether it's a GS or a GT 256, buy an 8800. Or a 3870, if it's cheap enough.

Now, on to the rest of your computer. It is causing you grief too. You don't notice it because you are focused on your GPU, but a P4 2.8 and 1GB of RAM doesn't cut it anymore. Start saving up for those next.

4850 is nice

He said a budget of 100$, the 4850 is generally 160+

EDIT: My suggestion is hold off on buying anything for a couple of more weeks, see how the prices drop and make a new system.

Don't combine old with new, you'll bottleneck you PC

As in if someone can make an extremely convincing argument. Under 75 is the "preferred" zone, but 100 is if someone constructs a sound reasoning to.

1 gb has been working fine and dandy. The ONLY reason I'm replacing my card is because the fan is off its bearings and is grinding. Usually I'd add some oil in the shaft, but I'm too lazy and was thinking about getting a card for kicks.

Take it up with this list:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ards-money

Any reason you object to it? Apart from generalized statements, like "it's crap".

No it's not. Everything runs *fine*, even with my current card. Team Fortress runs excellently, I get headshots in counterstrike, and I gallop around in oblivion all the time. I don't care to play any new games except for Diablo III or SC II, which blizzard wants to be widely available (Read: runs on low req). And if they did, they aren't coming out a for a great while, so by the time I'd need to worry would be a year from now.

I just want sound recommendations for a decent, low priced replacement for my x700, that won't be bottlenecked by my system. What I don't want is fanboyism, or recs that I sell my firstborn to buy a new system, that I don't need to play what I want proficiently (i.e. 2-3 yr old games on1280x1024 on medium settings, not 9999x9999 on max extreme detail).

Hell, forget I mentioned those two cards. They happened to be in my price range with positive reviews on newegg. I have a simple question: What's the best card for this system?

Not the best card for god's setup, or anything else. Just the for this rig, as it stands, period. If I wanted recommendations for a new system, I would have asked for one. You're wasting your own time and my own if your post contains "new setup" or any like iteration.

Windows XP, by the way.

if ur Budget is 75 to 100
whats this about

"and the Nvidia 8800 GT 512 mb for <175$."

For your purposes, of the two cards you listed the 8800GT is the better card. The ATI2600 is not really up to doing the job. I say this as an objective user, although my personal preference is for ATI, my budget allows me to run the higher priced cards if I so choose.

What I had said:

I've read the short list

The short list, which is sticky'ed at the top of the forum:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ards-money

The list recommends the 512, I'm asking about the 256. The 256 is not on the list. I added this to reference that I had indeed looked at some of the available resources here before posting.

Here's a hint for you:
Read ==> Comprehend ==> Post

Fair enough, thanks.

as dated as the system is my vote goes for teh ati 2600hd. it's cheaper and makes a good REPLACEMENT for your x700 at least until you can build a new system altogether.

and 8800gt my require more amps then your psu can deliver if it's an older 500 watt psu.

For some one asking for help you are quite rude. Get this instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814103051

ATI is still making drivers for it and will for a long time unlike the 8800s, and with the newer drivers it seems it outperforms the 8800 GT 256mb. Guess what, I:

Read ==> Comprehended ==> Posted

You said it yourself
ATI 2600XT<100$
It will be a good replacement for your X700

The 2600XT can't really be compared to the 8800GT. Forget buffer size. but since you won't be playing Assassin's Creed, UT3, Bioshock, Crysis, Mass Effect, DMC... the 2600XT would be enough for now, and save you money for an upgrade.
Although you're probably right about Blizzard (may God bless them), you have to consider if you want to play D3 and SC2 on low settings. RTS games are specially demanding CPU-wise.

if u wana play the above games den 2600 xt is ok.........performance will b the same as x700.more or less
but u cant compare 8800 GT with 2600

2600xt ties with 8600GT
"BEST PCI-E CARD FOR UNDER $100: TIE
Radeon 2600 XT
Geforce 8600 GT GDDR3 "

Probably need a complete overhaul for the system, I would save the money up for a complete system change.

get the radeon 3850 that The_blood_raven suggested

So this is a really easy question to answer... the 8800gt 256mb takes the cake, no doubt about it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125089

yes thats what you should buy