Best Bang For My Buck <$170 shipped.

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DerwenArtos12

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
4,278
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The holiday season brings with it upgrade time for me, for the first time in several holiday seasons.

First piece that needs addressing is video card. I've started playing NFS: Undercover and my unlocked 7800GT just isn't quite cutting it anymore. It has served me well the last four years or so, but it just can't keep up. I only play racing games, rts and the occasional rpg(D3 woot! can't wait) so I have been able to squeeze by the last year or so, but barely.

I only play at 1280x1024 on a 19" LCD so I don't need too high powered of a card, I do like to play with as much eye candy on as I can, for the budget. I have an option of what to stuff this in, I have a DFI LP NF4 Ultra that is still running strong with my San Diego 3700 at 3ghz with two gigs of ram or, I just picked up a used Pentium D 3.0ghz on an intel 945 board, I put one gig in it and would be willing to grab another matched stick for $25 if it's going to be a notably faster system.

I do intend on upgrading after the new year. I've been waiting for nehalem to drop so that wolfdales will come down a bit, I'll be grabbing a P35 or P45 board and an 8x00 and 4 gigs of ram after the new year so I can get a system that will last me a couple years again.

With all that in mind, what is going to be my best bang for the buck. I was going to pick up a 4850, but warranties have me leaning towards grabbing an XFX or EVGA card, mainly because I know I'm going to have this card for some time. I'm still running an ATi 9600 in my file server, I tend to keep things for a long time. My 36gb first gen raptors finally crapped out on me about four months ago.

So, please weigh in, HD4850 or 9800GTX???
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
I got a 9800GTX+ cus at the time they were similarly priced and I <3 EVGA but now 4850's are much cheaper so I would probably go that route.
 
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DerwenArtos12

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
4,278
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Ah, that is worth pointing out, the 9800GTX+ is notably more expensive than the vanilla 9800GTX which I was referring to, there are still a few of the originals on the market and they are at almost exactly the same price point as the 4850's.
 
daveybrat

daveybrat

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jan 31, 2000
5,796
1,008
126
I would also look into maybe just getting a 9800GT. That should run fine at the resolution you run at. Also, i would definitely take the Pentium D 3GHz chip over the single core 3700+ for gaming. :)
 
Dadofamunky

Dadofamunky

Platinum Member
Jan 4, 2005
2,184
0
0
The 9800GTs are excellent cards for the money.

I have a 4850 and I'm quite content with it. If you got a 1 GB 4850 you'd be set for quite a long time. Here's one for the exact price.

Also, don't expect much from that Intel unit. I think the 3700+ will still be much better for the games you're playng than that thing.
 
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poohbear

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2003
2,284
5
81
for your resolution i'd go for a 9800gt, u can prolly find a few for ~$100 new during the after x-mas sales (boxing day in canada). In the future u can upgrade it to SLI if you buy a 750i sli mobo and find the 9800gt not handling your resolution anymore.

W/ my system, my 8800gt handles everything fine @ 1680x1050. mind u, w/ Vista64 2gb isnt ideal, so that might be the only thing holding u back if you use Vista64.
 
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ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
1,573
0
0
well, a 9800gt should be just fine for your resolution but this deal here is probably better than any 9800gt deal out there.
 
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