Graphics card

[bkwrm13]

I would definitely not spend more than $160 to upgrade a graphics card just for this game alone.

Radeon 9700s are getting hard to find and Radeon 9800s are still in the $200 range. If you want to stick with ATI, a 9600XT would be a good bet until AGP x700s are available.

Nvidia 5700s (plain and Ultra) should be in that price range and would be good choices, again until AGP 6600's are available.

If your friend could wait a month or two, I think the ATI X700 or nvidia 6600 would be worth finding.