I'm going to be RMA'ing my current graphics card (ATi HD3870x2) because there's a problem with the fan. I don't know exactly how long it will take to get the card back or for it to be replaced if they decide not to repair it. It could be anything from 3 days to 4 weeks. So, I'm looking at getting a fairly cheap card to replace it for the time I don't have my normal card. I intend to use this card for the period where I don't have the main card and possibly in the future to drive a 3rd monitor if I get one. I don't need a hugely powerful card, something that will play high def video and do OK in LFS would be fine. I'm looking at getting an ATi card (the card I'm RMA'ing is ATi and I don't want to go through the process of swapping graphics drivers from ATi to nVidia and back again). I don't really have a set budget but would like to stick below £30 if possible. I have identified these possibilities:

Asus 4350 512MB - £24.42
PowerColor 3650 512MB - £27.75
Asus 4550 512MB - £29.61

Of those 3 options I think the 3650 is the best choice (best performance overall and good value for money). Any advice, chaps?

Yes, the 3650 is faster in most benchmarks I've seen. If you think it's worth it, get something like a 4670, which doesn't cost alot(not under 30 im affraid) I think, and is alot faster.

3650 will be enough for LFS if you have something under 1920x1200.

3DMark06 v1.1.0 3DMark Score

ATI Radeon HD 3650 (512 MB) : 5166
ATI Radeon HD 4550 (512 MB) : 3880
ATI Radeon HD 4350 (256 MB) : 2798


Read in to that what you want. Sure it's an artificial benchmark but it's still a rough guide to performance in which case (approx):

3650 is 25% > than 4550 and 66% > than 4350

Given their relative prices it would seem 3650 is the preferred option.

For other gaming results see here: http://www.tomshardware.com/ch ... uality/benchmarks,63.html

As a point of reference my card (8600GT) runs LFS perfectly well scores as follows:

Nvidia Geforce 8600 GT (256 MB) : 5569

Though admittedly not being a nerdy gamer I only run it at 1152 x 864 on a 17" monitor.

amp, you should really try to grab a 4850 for cheap. its about as fast as a 3870x2, if not faster.

I'm not in UK tho, but you should be able to find a 3650 for that cheap. and maybe a 4850 used for the same price.

Quote from Shadowww :

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I'm sorry for going off-topic, but that's the first time you made a reaction in a thread regarding an ATI GFX card where you haven't written down anything negative about ATI.
Good job Shadowww, you're making progress.

Ontopic: To be honest, you might just aswell get yourself a 4850/4870 second-hand. I think you could get one for little under 100 bucks.. that way, you'll never have to worry about lacking graphic-processing power.
IMO, a better buy on the long run, as you're just going to upgrade those cards as time passes and new games get on the market. (Unless you've got a lame-ass console aswell. :shy