I'm finally considering getting a video card. I don't need something elaborate, just something simple to enhance 3D tasking (i.e. Blender & games resulting from 3D Rad). I'm not wanting to spend a lot, either (mainly because I don't have but a few dollars to my name right now).

Urr...Graphics cards come in cheap versions too?

No, they're all the same price.

I need to know:

What you have
What you're willing to spend
If you can get AGP, and if so, 2x, 4x, or 8x
If you can shop online.

I have a p.o.s. :p

Actually, I'm now considering upgrading my mobo & processor instead. You guys can recommend which I should do.

I'm running on a 500 MHz Intel processor (which is the max my Soyo mobo can take). Not hard to see why I'm considering upgrading this instead. If I upgrade the mobo, I need it to be compatible with my SDRAM cards, which are running at either 66MHz or 100MHz. (The 256 MB card might be capable of higher frequencies since it's newer). Need to be PC100 compatable. I really don't want to have to buy new ram cards when the ones I have work fine (although maybe not as fast as I'd like).
I'm not sure what else you need to know.

Yes, I can pay online. I have around $60 in my paypal account, but I still need to ship some things, and sell some things for more $$. So whatevers the best balance of quality and price, I'll try to acquire that amount. I don't need something top-of-the-line, just something better than what I have.

I'm strongly considering this, since it comes with the CPU, but I'd like something faster.

It might be better to save up a bit and build a whole new system.

I've been slowly upgrading it. New HD, new (actually, used) CD burner, new ram, new peripherals. The only thing in need of upgrade is my mobo & processor, + a video card.

It would be better just to do it all at once. If you slowly upgrade it, you'll be stuck haveing to compremize for older hardware. Spend 500-700 and buld a new PC. At your current rate, you'll probably end up spending way more getting it totally upgraded in the long run.

Yeah, just buy a new system. Upgrading from that old system is a waste.

Sell your old stuff, get 300-400 dollars altogether, then talk to me.

As soon as my AMD64 stuff comes in I'd be glad to sell you my current rig. I think $335 shipped is reasonable.

AMD AthlonXP 1800+ - $30
DFI NFII 400-AL - $20
1024MB PC2100 RAM - $100
GeForce 3 64MB - $30
WD300 30GB 2MB cache 7200RPM - $25
MadDog Multimedia 52x24x52x CDRW - $25
Sony 48x CDROM - $10
Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 - $25
Cheapo case with Antec True 430W - $50
Zalman CNPS 7000A Cu - $20

I'll even include all the drivers CDs I can find as well as a CD with a copy of the latest Windows 9x/2000/XP drivers for all components :D. My AMD64 stuff should be here within the week.

You rock, sir.

I hope I can come up with the money soon enough.

Is that 1800+ unlocked? If it is, oh boy, Dogs, you're looking at the potential to push it to 2.5 ghz, which is a ghz overclock, pushing it, effectively to something around 3200+, or maybe even higher.

No, unfortunately the 1800+ is a Paly. I'm not much into overclocking.

Hey man no worries. I'm not actively looking to sell the thing. When you got the dough lemme know.

Well, if you're still looking to upgrade you video card, I've jsut updated my list of video card recomendations that I maintain...
(All prices listed are in US dollars)

• $60: ATI Radeon 9250 (Current best bargain card; only D3D 8, though)
• $140: ATI Radeon 9600XT (AGP x8 only; minimum for running everything currently out, and runs decently)
• $200: NVidia GeForce 6600GT (availible in AGP; great price/power combination)
• $300: ATI Radeon X800XL (PCI-e only, and very rare at the moment. My strongest reccomendation)
• $400: Nvidia GeForce 6800GT (The best possible AGP card, though if you've got PCI-e, take the X800XL if possible, as it's more powerful, and $100 cheaper)
• $500: ATI Radeon X850XT PE (Very hard to find at the moment, PCI-e only; most powerful card at the moment)
• $525: ATI Radeon X800XT (Only if you cannot find the X850XT)