8800 GT
 

A while ago I typed up a mid-range system builders guide and I recommended the x1950 Pro as a mid-range card, as the mid-range DX10 cards sucked all sorts of ass.

No longer!!!

This is a benchmark comparison of the old mid-range DX10 card occupying this price bracket to the new!

The 8800 GT offers just short the performance of the 8800 GTX, which is impressive as you can find the 8800 GT for as low as $250 on Newegg, and you're lucky if you find the GTX for less than $500!

So if anybody out there was looking for an affordable upgrade to their gaming PC for Christmas, this card is the one to get! (I plan on it)

Hey here's a question, if I have a laptop with a shitty ATI integrated-graphics deal, is there somewhere I can plug in an actual grownup for-real video card? Or am I pretty much just stuck with what I've got?

That depends on how much you're willing to pay the factory/how bad you want to void your warranty/if there's even a real socket to work with.

99% of the time you're stuck with what you got. Most laptops don't have the ability to upgrade the graphics card.

Also, to get a laptop with a graphics card that can actually do gaming will usually cost a mint.

Yeah, laptops are extremely limited in upgrade options. You're pretty screwed, Fifth.

hur hur Pokeymangs
 

Even if you had a compatible slot or interface (highly unlikely), the chances that your Power Supply Unit and/or mobo could supply the energy requirements.

maybe i misread the question, but it sounded like fifth was asking if there was a video card equivalent to an external hard drive. like, something you can basically just plug into a usb port and have it boost his graphical possessing power. though i have a feeling the answer is still "no."

...no, sounded pretty clear to me.

Just to chime in, I own this video card and it's amazing. I got it when it was newer (for free though, cheer!), but it's still running brand new games at all maximums.

World in Conflict is just so great with this baby. Note: Haven't tried Crysis on it yet.