Best Upgrade for ~$300

[superkdogg]

Hey all,

I have recently got some $ (magically!). I am looking to upgrade from my GF4 MX440 (@ 370/590 it still stinks).

I am pretty sure that I want to go with a 6800 nu. I really can't afford a GT or better, and my only ATI option would be to save about $100 and get a 9800 Pro. It seems like a good choice for the short term, but I am thinking that more and more games will take advantage of the additional features (PS 3.0) and make the 9800's go the way of the dinosaur and the GF3.

I'm an overclocker, so no card of mine will ever run stock speeds for very long. Would I be better to take the 9800 Pro and $100, (which I could roll into a 533 Prescott 2.4 and overclock for a CPU Upgrade) or go the 6800 route?

Also, which vendor's cards are the best for the plain 6800? I am leaning heavily to MSI so far, because I've read of unlocking the 4 remaining pipes w/Powerstrip and heard that they have good ram on them. Also read good things about the Chaintech (in this forum).


Currently running a P4-M @ 2.4 GHz, so the CPU gain from an OC'd Prescott could be nice.

 

[KevinH]

I'd get the 6800 for $285 or so and save up for the cpu when you get teh chance.

 

[mb]

6800

 

[The Green Bean]

6800! 2.4 is fine.

 

[superkdogg]

Ok, I was already leaning toward the 6800. That's what I thought. Now for the other question-Which card is the best for overclocking? There are several different vendors with 6800's on newegg right now for less than $300. All the bundles are ok, and everything is basically equal-I just want to buy the card that gives me the best chance at a good overclock. Something like 400/800 would be considered a success. Any suggestions?

 

[Johnbear007]

6800 without a doubt. Get an evga so that if you want to, you can use their step up program to get a GT or ultra later and pay only the price difference.