ATI or nVIDIA - midrange card

[harry349]

I'm probably getting an Intel P965-based board soon, and am having a heck of a time picking a video card.

I do like to play some games occasionally, but not that often. I don't really want to spring for an 8800 right now, but might want a DX10 card in the future.

I was looking at the 7600GT and 7900GT vs. the X1900XT and X1900GT cards and good lord there's just so many to pick from and no single place to compare all the different specs of each card.

Of course I'd like the card I pick to perform well, but I also like the ~ $150 price point more than the $350 - $400 of some of those higher-end cards, as by that point, why not go with the 8800?

Anyway, any suggestions / discussion would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

[beggerking]

just buy the cheapest card right now ..

7300gt for 34.99

or

7600gt for $79.99 at frys.com

so you can replace it when you need more power..

 

[harry349]

Dang, you had me all excited... that $79.99 at Fry's is up to $109.99 now.

Ah well, thanks for the reply, probably a good suggestion nonetheless.

 

[eplebnista]

nVidia

 

[polypterus]

Originally posted by: harry349
Dang, you had me all excited... that $79.99 at Fry's is up to $109.99 now.

Ah well, thanks for the reply, probably a good suggestion nonetheless.

$78.99AR at Newegg.

 

[flexy]

a 8800 might be overkill if you only play occasionally.....i'd go with mid-range and then wait til DX10 games are out...and prices fell for 8800..right now there is no "urge" And...personally i think all X1900/X1950 series are a good deal

 

[Zstream]

Those cards that beggerking showed you are a simply a POS.

If you can get these then do not bother IMO, this will last you a long time.

1950Pro

7900GS

Both of these are similar but the 1950 is better overall. The 7900GS is a good deal at 169$ The 7900GS performs a little less then the 7900GT.

Thanks to tuteja1986 & firingsquad

Battlefield 2 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 80.1
$250 7900GTO : 77.3
$200 X1950PRO : 64.2
$250 7900GT : 59.7

Halflife 2 Lost Coast 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 57.2
$250 7900GTO : 51.9
$200 X1950PRO : 43.5
$250 7900GT : 40.9

Fear 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 47
$250 7900GTO : 41
$200 X1950PRO : 35
$250 7900GT : 34

Quake 4 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 55.1
$250 7900GTO : 55.5
$200 X1950PRO : 40.1
$250 7900GT : 45.4

Call of Duty 2 1600x1200 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 40.5
$250 7900GTO : 34.9
$200 X1950PRO : 32
$250 7900GT : 30.7

Farcry HDR 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 54.1
$250 7900GTO : 50
$200 X1950PRO : 44.1
$250 7900GT : 39.5


Oblivion HDR Mountain Area 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 39.1
$250 7900GTO : 32.5
$200 X1950PRO : 31.3
$250 7900GT : 24.1

Oblivion HDR Foliage Area 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 26.8
$250 7900GTO : 16.9
$200 X1950PRO : 21.3
$250 7900GT : 12

 

[radioouman]

7600 GS is available for about $120 pretty easily. Not the fastest in the book though.

 

[memories2002]

My vote goes to the x1900GT for 150$ from the egg. Almost-1950PRO performance for 40$ less!

 

[Farmer]

Originally posted by: beggerking
just buy the cheapest card right now ..

7300gt for 34.99X:disgust:

or

7600gt for $79.99 at frys.com

so you can replace it when you need more power..

-1 on the 7300. Might as well get a mobo with onboard video and save yourself $80.

7600 seems fine if your set on upgrading to DX10 very soon, but I normally only upgrade when I feel there is a need.

With Zstream's suggestions, you shouldn't feel that need for at least a year.

 

[imported_blacken]

Agreed. Even a 6600GT would swing nicely.