Best card out there for $150

[Euripides]

Hi, I am trying to help a coworker upgrade his video card. What is the best card out there for around $150?

Thanks in advance.

 

[McArra]

9600Pro

 

[Peter D]

Originally posted by: McArra
9600Pro

 

[Euripides]

9600 Pro..... Any companies that stand above the others in the making of this card? Or just get the basic ATI version?

 

[k900]

I was wondering the same thing, I was also considering the 9800SE which can be found on the internet $165.

 

[modedepe]

I'd get the 9600 pro over a 9800 se. $165 isn't that bad of a price for a 9800se, but the 9600 pro should overclock better.

 

[Torghn]

Originally posted by: k900
I was wondering the same thing, I was also considering the 9800SE which can be found on the internet $165.

I would get the 9800se as well. Just keep in mind that any 9088se at this price only has a 128 bit memory bandwith and is much slower than the 256 bit version. With that said I still think it's the best card at that price.

 

[Vonkhan]

Originally posted by: McArra
9600Pro

 

[TheAudit]

Hey, that's a great price for a 9800se, on what site did you see it for that much?

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: McArra
9600Pro

This is my next card.

 

[Blastman]

There are 2 versions of the 9800SE. One clocked 380/340 (same clock as 9800pro and on 256bit bus) that has 4 pipelines disabled, and a 9800SESE that is clocked 325/250 (with -4ns/3.6ns memory).

9800SE ? 380/340?.256bit bus? L shaped memory configuration 2.8ns memory
9800SESE ? ? ? 325/250 ? 128bit bus ? I shaped memory configuration 4.0/3.6ns memory.

The faster version of the 9800SE is no faster than a 9600pro when you look at actual game benchmarks, and the slower 128bit version is clocked 325/200 --- is quite a bit slower than a 9600 pro. See ? digilife.

The advantage goes to the 9600 pro, a lot less power consumption and less expensive and at least as fast as the faster version of the 9800SE.

newegg ? ?

Connect 9600 PRO 128MB ? $152
Transcend 9600 PRO 128MB ?$154.50

 

[lordtyranus2]

9800SE can be softmodded though. The faster one can at least.

 

[nRollo]

If you truly want the BEST card for $150, you'll try to get a used FX5800 for that.
All current games: double the fill rate and comparable mem bandwidth stomps 9600Pro flat.
DX9 games: They both suck so bad even 10X7 is a pipe dream.

 

[jimmyl930]

ATI and Sapphire seem to be the best companies for ATI cards.

 

[Pete]

128MB 9600P if you're buying new--make sure the card is clocked at 400MHz for the core and 300MHz DDR (600Mhz effective) for the memory. A used FX5800 for $150 is tempting if you don't care for general DX9 games, though. It should be much faster in general, and should overclock like the dickens, though it may be slightly louder and will draw more power (and has lower-quality AA, but that's not an issue when compared to a 9600P, as the 5800 will be able to run at a much higher res).

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Vonkhan

Originally posted by: McArra
9600Pro

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Vonkhan

Originally posted by: McArra
9600Pro

9600 Pro, simple upgrade, no need to compare bus widths or overclocking, this will be just fine at stock speeds.

 

[GullyFoyle]

You better make sure any 9800se's are not "type I", with the 128bit memory interface.
These would be slower than a 9600pro, and have no chance of soft-modding to a 9800. Don't buy it just because the number 9800 is greater than 9600.

I also haven't seen any 5800's going for $150. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to find one.

Buy a 9600pro.

 

[DahDee]

Originally posted by: DanDeighan

I also haven't seen any 5800's going for $150. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to find one.

The closest I saw was a refurb Abit Siluro 5800 DOTH on Newegg last week for $179. I waited too freaking long -- and it was gone. Rats.

 

[nRollo]

Given that 5900s are now in the low $200s and have twice the memory bandwidth of 5800s, I'd think a post in FST column "5800NP wanted" might yield a used 5800 for around $150..
They stomp 9600Pros so flat I'd have to try this route before buying a 9600 Pro. Actually, I'd save the $75 to get a 9700NP or 5900NU before I'd waste $150 on a 9600Pro.

As far as DX9 goes, the Det50 gains we're starting to see may well put the 5800/5900 well ahead of the weak 9600 Pro even at it's one claim to fame.

If you save the extra $75, I'd say it's a coin toss on the 9700NP and 5900NU. 9700NP will be slower at all current games, but have better DX9 performance.

 

[lordtyranus2]

Given that 5900s are now in the low $200s and have twice the memory bandwidth of 5800s, I'd think a post in FST column "5800NP wanted" might yield a used 5800 for around $150..

Doesn't the 5800 sound like a vacuum cleaner?

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: lordtyranus2

Given that 5900s are now in the low $200s and have twice the memory bandwidth of 5800s, I'd think a post in FST column "5800NP wanted" might yield a used 5800 for around $150..

Doesn't the 5800 sound like a vacuum cleaner?

The 5800 ultra is supposed to be bad...But the non ultra has a much better hsf on it.