In my head it just doesn't seem like it'll hold up to all the recent games, but is it actually a good performer worth buying this late into it's production? Because if I do I can ready my PC for when I get a better videocard (something from the R500 line from ATI). But if I get an x800XL, I'll be kind of left short handed and I won't be able to make my PC as good as I want it to be and the transition to a better videocard will be slightly more expensive because of all the extra parts I need to get. So should I get a 6600GT and get my PC all together (sound card, etc) or should I just jump to an x800XL and not get any other goodies? Just something I've been thinking about for a while.
Am I underestimating how good the 6600GT really is?
- Thread starter flipkc
- Start date
Well first off, if you have a recent motherboard you have decent on-board sound, so don't worry about that unless you're an audiophile. Second, the 6600GT will play the recent games, but won't perform nearly as well as an X800XL. If you don't mind average to maybe a little below average play in BF2 and HL2, then go for the 6600GT. It won't be bad, it just won't be that great.
Though I do not currently have a 6600GT, I used it in a previous build. It is actually a nice card with decent performance. It will handle the recent games though obviously not with all of the eye candy maxed out at ultra high resolutions. IMHO it would make a good space holder while you wait for your dream card and finances to line up. A video card is also one of the quickest depreciating parts out there so sinking your money into the other parts right now and upgrading video later is a decent alternative.
So what would be the best possible route for me to take? I have to last on this PC for at least a year, so...any thoughts?
X800XL if you want it to last at least a year. I don't really count on my 7800GTX lasting a whole year, but I'm picky as well 
Originally posted by: JonMooring
X800XL if you want it to last at least a year. I don't really count on my 7800GTX lasting a whole year, but I'm picky as well
Is the 6600GT really that bad? My cousin has an X800XT PE but he gets stutters and such which kind of pulls me away from ATI. But then again there are some other things that I could think of that may be causing them (he has his P4 2.4 Northwood OC'd to 3.4ghz on air though I lowered it to 3.3ghz for him). I'm kind of leaning towards the 6600GT so I can have a complete for when I upgrade to something better last year. Because I don't want to spend $400 on a videocard only to have it outdone by a next generation videocard coming out soon. So that's why I was thinking of getting a 6600GT now then maybe something made using the ATI R500 GPU later on, or nVidia's G71? So what do you guys think? Still think the X800XL is the best way to go? Or can I live with a 6600GT? I don't plan on going in resolutions over 1024x anyways since my monitor is older...so if that helps your decision, please.
6800GT is good even. I don't know, I shy away from the lower-end cards of any particular generation. 6800GT you could find for ~225 used on the forums here. Like we said, the 6600GT isn't a BAD card, it's just not a GOOD card. It's on the edge.
I'm not fairly confident in used products, as I like to get the best of the best with the money I have. Although your points are fairly valid, I'd like to hear from more members before making any conclusions. Thanks though Jon.
Originally posted by: KeepItRed
?? Please stay on topic as this is a very important topic that I need to be discussed/resolved so that I can go ahead and pick up my PC.
Originally posted by: flipkc
Originally posted by: KeepItRed
?? Please stay on topic as this is a very important topic that I need to be discussed/resolved so that I can go ahead and pick up my PC.
Ok, One: Chill out dude, this isn't life or death. Two: Where are you going to be paying 400 for an X800XL, I got mine reatail for 300 even. You can get it from newegg for about 280 I want to say.
As for used, I would tend to agree.
I had the 6600GT for about an hour one night in my machine before it went back to the store. I just wasn't pleased with it's performance enough that it could stay in my machine. *shrugs* I had the x800XL in it for about 3 months, very nice card, was very pleased with the price/performace. Then I decided I wanted to be able to max out my 2005FPW so I got a 7800GTX. If you want an x800xl very little wear on it let me know. *grin*
You can get the x800xl for way less then $400, that's a joke right???
I think you can pick one up at NewEgg now for like $245 or something.
I think you can pick one up at NewEgg now for like $245 or something.
and for 1/2 that you can pick up a 6600TD with 256MB of RAM in the PCI-e flavor to hold you over till further price drops
i think you should get a 6600gt now. with mine, i can play half life 2 with the highest possible settings. doom3 with 1280x1024 and 4xAA/4xAF and high details. other games are easy too. it overclocks really well, as long as the air conditioning is on... then, when the card starts lagging behind, you will have the money for a newer card.
You're kidding right?
I agree that you should go witht he 6600GT now, and upgrade later when you have more money. VC prices seemingly are falling every day. Wait until the new ATI cards Launch (might be awhile though :roll
and the prices steady out, then get a new card. I have an x800xl and a friend of mine with a similar rig has a 6600GT.
I play mostly WoW these days, as well as some other mostly older games, and I'd say for a low-mid end card the 6600GT is a fine card, quite cheap, fast enough for now, and with no glaring problems.
And as I've said many times about the X800XL, the one thing that almost makes me regret buying it is the cooler, it's fvcking loud.
This is on a Sapphire card, so YMMV.
I play mostly WoW these days, as well as some other mostly older games, and I'd say for a low-mid end card the 6600GT is a fine card, quite cheap, fast enough for now, and with no glaring problems.
And as I've said many times about the X800XL, the one thing that almost makes me regret buying it is the cooler, it's fvcking loud.
This is on a Sapphire card, so YMMV.
Get an EVGA 6600gt, it's going for like $140 right now after rebate, and evga has a 3 month step up program where you can trade it back to them for full value towards a new card.
You could also get a 6800, they're going for around $150, and can potentially softmod into 6800GTs or Ultras just about.
You could also get a 6800, they're going for around $150, and can potentially softmod into 6800GTs or Ultras just about.
For all of you wondering why the X800XL is $400 is because I live in Canada...I would have thought you all would catch on that after a little bit but that's my fault for not saying anything. Anyways, I guess I'll be heading with the 6600GT that way I can get all the other essentials also. I will be picking up a nice AMD X2 4400+, ATI R500 GPU, and everything else like more powerful PSU and X-Fi + 7.1 Speaker setup. Thanks everyone for there replies.
Originally posted by: flipkc
Originally posted by: KeepItRed
?? Please stay on topic as this is a very important topic that I need to be discussed/resolved so that I can go ahead and pick up my PC.
Calm down bro. 148+ posts and you haven't realized that this is how Anandtech operates?
.6600GT is a faily decent card, barely outperforming the previous gen 9800Pro. However I do think that an X800 can be had for slightly more (like $10-$15) than the 6600GT and I think it beats it in most cases.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 20K
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter