Suggest a low end graphics card <=3000

[Cybersurfer]

I'm planning to upgrade my graphics card. Main purpose will be HD media playback. This PC is about 4.5 years old and current card is a XFX GeForce 6200LE and it doesn't support hardware acceleration of H264/AVC, so 720p media takes about 50% of CPU (Pentium D 3 Ghz) and decoding of Doordarshan's DD HD takes 90-92% of CPU. So I want a new card which can hardware accelerate HD decoding. I don't play much games but it would be good if it can play games at low settings and the card should not consume much power. My budget is Rs 3000 and have a preference for nVidia but I'm open to ATI if its better. I checked Tom's Hardware and the Radeon HD 5550 is listed as the best card for $65, what is the price of this card in India? Is this the best I can get or is there a better nVidia that will fit my budget?

PC Specs:
Intel Pentium D 3 Ghz
3 GB DDR2 667
Intel DG965RY Mobo
450W Zebronics PSU

Thanks in advance.

 

[vickybat]

Go for radeon 5570 @ 3.5k. It comes equipped with faster gddr5 memory.

 

[sanoob.tv]

if you r looking for gpu less than 3000,
go for geforce 9500 gt;achording to last digit issue it was selected as best buy,
and cost around rs 2900,im currently using it,n im playing al the new games smoothly in medium graphics detail
nfs hot pursuit 2
medal of honor
call of duty black ops
spiderman shattered dimension
bad company 2
tron
and lots

 

[Cybersurfer]

Go for radeon 5570 @ 3.5k. It comes equipped with faster gddr5 memory.

5570 price quoted was 4.8k here in Kerala (Kottayam) and 9500 GT at 3.25k and 4350 @ 2.65k

 

[vickybat]

oh gosh at 5k you can get a 5670 which is way powerful. Check the prices at other shops or contact the distributor. There can't be that much price difference.

You can order online if the vendors refuse to sell at lower or actual prices.

 

[ssb1551]

5570 price quoted was 4.8k here in Kerala (Kottayam) and 9500 GT at 3.25k and 4350 @ 2.65k

That must be the GDDR5 version of 5570.The one vicky was talking about is GDDR3 version which sells between 3.5-4.2k.

 

[Cilus]

If you are a tight budget and unable to increase it then XFX HD 4650 1 GB DDR2 @ 3.1K (deltapage.com) or the 512 MB version @ 2.85K in anythinginit.com.

 

[Piyush]

XFX HD 4650 1 GB DDR2 @ 3.1K (deltapage.com) as clius suggested
or ATI HD 5570 @ 3.7k