A Radeon 9600 is probably what you are looking for in something new and in
this price range.  This is the plain 9600 (not the SE model).  The graphics
core should be about 325 MHz and the memory about 400 MHz for a true 9600.
The next steps up, for a bit over a hundred dollars, would be the 9600Pro
(400/600) and then the Nvidia FX5700 (425/500) (not to be confused with the
FX5700LE).  This is just based on a quick scan of NewEgg's current stock.

A couple of useful references might be the Video Card comparisons at Toms
Hardware, http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/, and the GPU
Cheatsheet at AnandTech, http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2195&p=1.

While you should see an improvement with one of  these video cards, compared
to the ATI rage card, a PIII 500 with 320MB of RAM may still be fairly
underpowered, at least when it comes to the newer 3D action games.

John Sproule

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich McAllister" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 8:14 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Upgrade Video Card


> Hello;
>
> I have an older PC with a  DFI CA61 Motherboard, ATI Rage 128GL Video Card
> with 32mb ram,  320 mb ram, 40gb HD, and pent III 500mhz processor. Can
> you give me some help with regard to upgrading the Video Card for online
> gaming and such.....Does not have to scream, but would like good
> performance for under $100...

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