6600 or 6600GT for this computer? Also about image quality.

[imported_zima]

Hello.

I'm upgrading my graphics card from an ancient Matrox (it is somehow important...details later) G400SH 16MB to something more suitable today.
Rest of the machine, when talking about relevant components, is:
- Athlon XP 1700+ (@266MHz FSB)
- 768MB RAM, running in single channel at 266MHz (SiS 746FX motherboard)
- AGP

I'd appreciate help in deciding whether to choose vanilla 6600 or go with GT. The way I see it, two things complicate this:
1) 6600 is available here in 128MB and 256MB flavours, and GT only in 128MB flavour.
2) (most important) My CPU/rest might be too slow to take any advantage of faster GT, making spending more money on it pointless.
Unfortunatelly in all tests online only fastest available CPU's are used


Also, I'd like to ask about analogue image quality (2D/desktop). I'm using Eizo CRT, 1280x1024@90Hz together with Matrox card and I'm rather used to good image quality (and, actually, in my case this isn't exactly about being used to - my eyes & head hurt very quick if monitor/video signal aren't of great quality). While I know Nvidia boards are much better now than few years ago...which of the manufecturers below do you recommend? (only those are available here)
MSI, Leadtek, Asus, Gigabyte, Galaxy, Gainward

Thanks for help.

 

[v8envy]

That's a very ancient box. You didn't mention if you're going to try retro gaming on it or not. If all you need is 2D quality, there are plenty of newer cards which have decent 2D quality that don't cost U$100. (e.g, X300SE, 7300GS)

The XP1700+ isn't going to let you play anything modern at very good frame rates, new games expect about double your CPU. So the factor of 2 performance difference between 6600 and 6600GT will be rougly 2 resolutions -- settings playable at 800x600 on the 6600 will be good at 1280x1024 on the GT. Games which give you 10 frames/sec at 800x600 on the 6600 will still give you the same 10 frames/sec at higher res with the 6600GT. You make the call if that's enough to justify the price leap.

Both ATI and NVidia cards have sharp, crisp 2D image quality, IMO. The on-board X200 (equivalent is the X300SE discrete) is beautiful on my trinitron. I think matrox is still around as well, if all you need is 2D quality and you don't mind paying a premium not to risk it with NV/ATI.

In order of manufacturer reputability/reliability:

eVGA|BFG, XFX, Leadtek, everyone, Joe's Bait Shop & Video Card Manufacturing, MSI

 

[justlnluck]

I own a passively cooled Gigabyte 6600GT and very happy with it's quality. Before that, I used an ATI 9600pro in 2004 and an 8500 in 2002.