9600XT or 9800XT: Which to get?

[Civic2oo1x]

I need your guys suggestions. I was looking at the 9800XT ever since they announced it would come with HL2, and I've planned it for my upgrade. I knew that it was going to basically cost me my first born and I was ok with that until I realized that I should upgrade some other parts to my PC. I can get the 9600XT for $160 or the 9800XT for $499. I generally upgrade my PC once a year or so, but less often if not needed. I want good performance from this card, something I can play Max Payne 2, Final Fantasy XI, Call of Duty, etc on at 1280x1024 at high detail with no AA and still have respectable framerates. I'm not a die-hard gamer, but I'd like good performance. So should I

A) Get the 9800XT (will probably keep till 2005)
or
B) Get the 9600XT, (2)WD Raptors, (2)512MB HyperX PC4000 (will keep the 9600 till at least August of 04)

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[SuperStrokey]

B if your not a gamer, would be the best route for all around performance

 

[Civic2oo1x]

I'm not a die hard gamer. I have all 3 consoles and would probably only play PC exclusive games on my PC. I'd say probably 2-5 hours a week on PC gaming at most.

 

[lordtyranus2]

9600XT then. Or 9800 np if you can find.

 

[Pete]

No AA? 9600XT. Not sure how it will perform in HL2 at 12x10, though it should be decent, maybe 40fps average. Consider ditching a Raptor and going with a 9800 and buying HL2 separately, though. Your data will be safer, your 3D performance will be better, and your resell value will be higher when next you upgrade.

 

[lifeguard1999]

I would like to know where you can get the 9600XT for $160!!!

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
I would like to know where you can get the 9600XT for $160!!!

Me too

I'd either go for B or get a 9800np and use the rest for upgrades. The price premium for a 9800xt just isn't worth it.

 

[Civic2oo1x]

Thanks for the help guys. Yeah, after thinking about it, no matter how much of a completist I am (I'm one of those suckers that buys the Deluxe packages of DVDs). I'll stick with the 9600XT. I don't play enough PC games to get it. I just want a good enough video card to run those games. This old ATI 64MB VIVO just isn't cutting it.

Oh and the $160 is after my employee discount.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: Civic2oo1x
Thanks for the help guys. Yeah, after thinking about it, no matter how much of a completist I am (I'm one of those suckers that buys the Deluxe packages of DVDs). I'll stick with the 9600XT. I don't play enough PC games to get it. I just want a good enough video card to run those games. This old ATI 64MB VIVO just isn't cutting it.

Oh and the $160 is after my employee discount.

nice, I need to get me one of them there discounts where do you work btw? 20% off?