Best card for $200....ish

[jimbob200521]

I'm looking into getting a new video card, and only have a $200 (ish) dollar budget. So far I've picked out the eVGA 7600gt, but since it's been a while since I've been into video card's, I figured it would hurt to ask around.

So is the 7600GT about the best card that can be had for around $200?

Edit: Forgot to mention, my system is PCI-Express

 

[Ika]

7600GT is a great card, but you can get it for $140 after rebate (NewEgg, if the deal is still good). For a little more, you can get an X1800XT for something like $220 (NewEgg, once again, if the deal is still good).

Make sure you have a PCIe system, otherwise your options with AGP are limited.

 

[Powermoloch]

7600GT is still a champ in the mid 150 dollar range. My 7600GT KO rips in 1600x1200 in most games

 

[emilyek]

7600gt if you want the full box.

If you don't mind refurbs/OEM (and your monitor is DVI so you don't need a VGA-DVI adapter) then this is the best deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102007R

If you don't mind gambling a little on a whitebox, that 1800xt will stomp a 7600gt.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I'll just copy-paste what I just typed in another thread:

From the X1800GTO review I read on XBitlabs.com some time back, I clearly remember:
The 7600GT was much better & cheaper than the X1800GTO.
The 7600GT will play any game at Maximum settings, 1024x768, 4XAA, 16XAF silky smooth.
Less demanding games will easily allow you to retain the Max settings & IQ and bump the resolution up to 1280x1024.
Older games (Doom 3, Half-Life 2 etc.) might even go up to 1600x1200 with the same settings.

Oblivion is probably the only game which can't be turned up to the max and blazed through: I'm sure you can find a decent compromise between res/IQ/performance.

At ~$140 (after MIR), the 7600GT is a no-brainer if you can afford it - maximum returns for your investment.

The next speed-bump would be a Sapphire X1800XT 256MB (Retail) that is $230 after MIR, on Newegg. The same money can get you a stock-clocked eVGA 7900GT (after MIR) on Newegg.

The general consensus on these boards is: 7900GT OC's like a dream, takes a single slot, uses less power and has equal or better performance in most games which makes it a better choice. The X1800XT has HDR+AA capability and is still a formidable choice, so make sure you look up a recent 7900GT review where the two are compared head-to-head. Driver releases sometimes help one card outdo the other.

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
I'll just copy-paste what I just typed in another thread:

From the X1800GTO review I read on XBitlabs.com some time back, I clearly remember:
The 7600GT was much better & cheaper than the X1800GTO.
The 7600GT will play any game at Maximum settings, 1024x768, 4XAA, 16XAF silky smooth.
Less demanding games will easily allow you to retain the Max settings & IQ and bump the resolution up to 1280x1024.
Older games (Doom 3, Half-Life 2 etc.) might even go up to 1600x1200 with the same settings.

Oblivion is probably the only game which can't be turned up to the max and blazed through: I'm sure you can find a decent compromise between res/IQ/performance.

At ~$140 (after MIR), the 7600GT is a no-brainer if you can afford it - maximum returns for your investment.

The next speed-bump would be a Sapphire X1800XT 256MB (Retail) that is $230 after MIR, on Newegg. The same money can get you a stock-clocked eVGA 7900GT (after MIR) on Newegg.

The general consensus on these boards is: 7900GT OC's like a dream, takes a single slot, uses less power and has equal or better performance in most games which makes it a better choice. The X1800XT has HDR+AA capability and is still a formidable choice, so make sure you look up a recent 7900GT review where the two are compared head-to-head. Driver releases sometimes help one card outdo the other.

I was able to play prey @ 1600x1200 with 2AA without a problem with my 7600GTKO :thumbsup:

 

[jimbob200521]

I'm really liking the X1800XT, I'm going to check out a few more review and order one. Thanks for the help

 

[Wreckage]

If you don't mind a rebate, several 7900GT's can be had for $230.
LINK

 

[jimbob200521]

Well as luck would have it, I just came across a deal with a friend for a 7800GT. He is going to sell his $160, or trade for a head unit I have laying around. Now I'm hoping that goes through!

 

[Chopstick217]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
I'll just copy-paste what I just typed in another thread:

From the X1800GTO review I read on XBitlabs.com some time back, I clearly remember:
The 7600GT was much better & cheaper than the X1800GTO.
The 7600GT will play any game at Maximum settings, 1024x768, 4XAA, 16XAF silky smooth.
Less demanding games will easily allow you to retain the Max settings & IQ and bump the resolution up to 1280x1024.
Older games (Doom 3, Half-Life 2 etc.) might even go up to 1600x1200 with the same settings.

Oblivion is probably the only game which can't be turned up to the max and blazed through: I'm sure you can find a decent compromise between res/IQ/performance.

At ~$140 (after MIR), the 7600GT is a no-brainer if you can afford it - maximum returns for your investment.

The next speed-bump would be a Sapphire X1800XT 256MB (Retail) that is $230 after MIR, on Newegg. The same money can get you a stock-clocked eVGA 7900GT (after MIR) on Newegg.

The general consensus on these boards is: 7900GT OC's like a dream, takes a single slot, uses less power and has equal or better performance in most games which makes it a better choice. The X1800XT has HDR+AA capability and is still a formidable choice, so make sure you look up a recent 7900GT review where the two are compared head-to-head. Driver releases sometimes help one card outdo the other.

What he said