This card meets the specs but is below the class recommendation

[Davo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161010

It has DX9 support and 4 pixel pipelines but it's only Radeon 9250 and not 9500. Does that matter?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130188

I've found this one as well that is a GeForce FX5200. Still has the specs but the family isn't up to snuff.

 

[Clements]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161010

It has DX9 support and 4 pixel pipelines but it's only Radeon 9250 and not 9500. Does that matter?

Well, the 92xx cards are actually only DX8.1 compliant and not DX9 compliant. The Newegg specsheet is very misleading for this card. The minimum Radeon that supports DX9 is in fact the 9500. Technically, the 9250 should be enough for most things, but you would be much better off with the FX 5200, as it fully supports DX9. It may not be fast with DX9, but for N64 emulation, just having the feature helps since the GPU requirement is quite low.

 

[axcc123]

if you can get a radeon 9800 or better.

 

[squall_leonhart]

Well, the 92xx cards are actually only DX8.1 compliant and not DX9 compliant. The Newegg specsheet is very misleading for this card. The minimum Radeon that supports DX9 is in fact the 9500. Technically, the 9250 should be enough for most things, but you would be much better off with the FX 5200, as it fully supports DX9. It may not be fast with DX9, but for N64 emulation, just having the feature helps since the GPU requirement is quite low.

the 5200 is actually a weak ass dx9 card... but is ok for Dx8... i would recommend a 6600(GT) at the least these days.

 

[Clements]

the 5200 is actually a weak ass dx9 card...

Obviously. That's why I even mentioned that in my post.

but is ok for Dx8... i would recommend a 6600(GT) at the least these days.

The FX 5200 is a weak DX9 card, It is more than sufficient for any N64 plugin (DX9 or OpenGL1.5/2.0), plus it is clear from the OP that he is looking for a PCI card under $50.

 

[Davo]

Yeah thanks for noticing as that is my intent. I was wanting to go with the second one but I'm not too keen on having to use an adapter for VGA. If it breaks, I'm screwed.

EDIT: Circuit City has it for the same price though. I'm more comfortable with that since I can always get a replacement if I lose the piece or it doesn't work.