What's a decent graphics card for my PC?

[Shalako]

Hi folks,
I just got a new computer (finally) and I want to start playing first person shooter games. The computer is an HP Pavillion 1257, Pentium 4 630 w/ HT, and 1 gig of ram, and WinXPmc. Right now it has the standard graphics mumbo jumbo with shared memory. (blah)

I saw an add for the local Fry's for a GeForce 5500 w/ 256meg for $69 (after $30 rebate)

Is this good enough for Half-life and Counterstrike. I have never played a first person shooter game and the extent of my computergame experience was on my Apple IIe playing Aztec, Ultima II, and Wolfenstein.

I need to catch up on this stuff. Thanks.

ps. what's up with online gaming? Can I do that with this new computer if I get DSL?
Thanks again

[jefnvk]

Whats up with online gaming?  It's only the cat's meow!

Yeah, a comp with those specs can handle it.  DSL may lag a little bit, but should suffice.

As for the card, I'd strongly suggest something with a bit more Oomph!, especially with those games.  Try looking for a 9800 Pro or XT, they are discontinued and somewhat cheap, $120-140 range.  A bit cheaper option is the 9600XT, starts at about $90.  The prices were checked at http://www.newegg.com, where I buy most all of my computer parts.  Those cards are what HL2 was designed for.

Some more good FPS games that I like: Day of Defeat:Source (WWII FPS built on HL2, friggin awesome graphics and lighting), Call of Duty, Battlefield 2, Battlefield Vietnam, The Specialist (Matrix-style mod for Half-Life).

EDIT: This is assuming you meant Half-life 2 and CounterStrike:Source.  If you are talking about the original Half-Life and CS, your onboard will probably handle it fine.

[Shalako]

Great info! Thanks for the response. I just got Half-life 1 at Fry's for $20. It looks like I may need to get the next one now too.

Thanks again!

[jefnvk]

Onboard video should run HL1 just fine.  However, if you want the best game out right now, get a video card and get HL2.  Everything is amazing.  Play HL1 first, then go through and play HL2, and see how much improvements have been made to video games over 5 or 6 years.

And check out the mods for HL1.  Counter-Strike (SWAT-style) is the most popular, Day of Defeat is my favorite (WWII-style), and The Specialist is awesome (Matrix-style).  Sven Coop is another good one, if you have some friends to play with, you are all cooperating to beat different levels instead of playing against each other.  And all of these are free.