Best Value Card for Strategy Games

[HGC]

I'm currently using a Radeon 9600XT, and can't run Age of Empires III smoothly at 1600 x 1200. I'm looking to upgrade my card for this and similar games, such as Civilization IV. I don't really care about frame rates in shooter games.

Any ideas? i was thinking maybe 6800GS or 7600GT. I'd rather not spend a lot of money, but will if it'll make a big difference. Thanks!

 

[Ika]

Whats your budget? If you can't spend more than $250, try getting a 7600GT CO from eVGA. Extremetech did a big review of all sorts of graphics cards, and the 7600GT shone pretty brightly. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1945705,00.asp if you want link.

 

[professor1942]

Yeah I think you'd be happy with the 7600GT, and happier still with a 7900GT.

 

[Rhezuss]

If you can afford a 7900GT got for it but the 7600GT is one sweet card for it's price.

 

[HGC]

Thanks guys. $250 is the highest I'll go, prefer less. Sounds like you're all favoring 7600GT over 6800GS.

 

[Washoe]

I think you can get a 7800 for around $250

 

[kalrith]

If you're willing to go used, you can get a 7800GT for as little as $210 shipped in the FS/FT forums. That's what I would get if I were you. Otherwise, I'd catch a 7600GT for $175 shipped AR from Newegg.

 

[HGC]

Update:

I decided to keep my AGP system for at least a year, so I'm wondering if you all have any ideas on this upgrade for AGP. not PCI E.

I'm only interested in strategy games like Civ IV, AOE III, etc. I was thinking maybe Radeon X1600 or X800GTO. Would the X1600 be enough? Reviews say it's quieter and it's a good bit cheaper.

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

 

[Lord Banshee]

Well i only really play AOE3 at these setting if it helps

1920x1200, MAX Settings for all settings, NO AA, BLOOM ON

With my 7800GT i never have a frame rate issue so if you want to play at 1600x1200 a 7600GT would probally do the trick and i would get this over a x1600 not a second guess either.

But if you want to make sure you never have an issue with these newer RTS games i would get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150144

7900GT for 279.99.

But the only card i know of that will enable all setting to the max and have bloom and AA without a framerate issue is the X1900XT and the X1900XTX but thats way over 250 dollars.

I hope this helps

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: HGC
Update:

I decided to keep my AGP system for at least a year, so I'm wondering if you all have any ideas on this upgrade for AGP. not PCI E.

I'm only interested in strategy games like Civ IV, AOE III, etc. I was thinking maybe Radeon X1600 or X800GTO. Would the X1600 be enough? Reviews say it's quieter and it's a good bit cheaper.

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

Read my reply here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1860450&enterthread=y

And then buy this card, unlock it and enjoy.

I am.

 

[ExtremeGamer09]

Get the X1800 XT for $219 after mail and rebate


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102698

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: ExtremeGamer09
Get the X1800 XT for $219 after mail and rebate


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102698

Originally posted by: HGC
Update:

I decided to keep my AGP system for at least a year, so I'm wondering if you all have any ideas on this upgrade for AGP. not PCI E.

He's on AGP. That 1800XT is a good shout though at that price. :beer:

 

[Lord Banshee]

opps didn't read that no PCI-E...well i would get the best 6800 series you can get.

and also the X1800XT plays like crap with AOE3 (compared to a 7900GT)
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/evga-7900gt_16.html

 

[Cooler]

A x850XT would be a good bet.

 

[Captante]

For AGP, either an X850XT or a 6800GS is about the best your going to find for your budget... if you plan on spending $250 though, I'd give serious thought to spending a little more & jumping to PCIe rather then throwing your cash at a dead platform.

 

[akshayt]

X1800XT 256mb hands down for about 220$

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: akshayt
X1800XT 256mb hands down for about 220$

He said agp.

 

[akshayt]

Upgrade to PCI E mobo, sell current card and mobo and then go for around 150-250$ PCI E card

 

[HGC]

Thanks for the good ideas guys. May I ask a stupid question? Is there a PCI E motherboard that will run my Athlon XP Mobile processor? Do they only have PCI E for Athlon 64s?

 

[HGC]

Thanks again for the good ideas.

By the way, it's interesting to me that these strategy games need so much graphics fire power. At the moment I'm in the throes of a deep Civ IV addiction. I run it at 1280 x 1024, but as the game progresses it gets slower and jumpier, and it always crashes near the end when I have a big civilization going.

 

[navyac]

I used to have a 6800 GS running on AGP, and unlocked it was great. Pair it with a gig of ram and you will be fine.

 

[HGC]

I just priced a new Tul PCI E Mobo, Athlon 64 3000+ processor, and Gigabyte 7600 GT (with a Zalman heatsink) at New Egg, we're talking $337. I can't justify that much $ just for Civ IV

I just found a refurb X800GT for $115. ... wonder if that would be enough...

 

[Golgatha]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1857831&enterthread=y

X800 Pro for $150 or you can always make an offer by PM. If it is a VIVO, there is always the possibility of flashing to X800XT.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1857753&enterthread=y

Not a bad deal on the 6800 card either. You could always sell the free game to make up some of the purchase price. New card on Newegg.com for $145 shipped. I also saw an open box item of this card for $111 shipped on there after a quick search.

 

[lopri]

http://cgi.ebay.com/MSI-NX7600GT-VT2D25...11983434QQcategoryZ80188QQcmdZViewItem

Only 2 more left. I've picked one up for my second rig. $149 for an OC'ed 7600GT with a $40 game. I don't think this deal can be beat at this time.

 

[HGC]

Thought I'd update this thread, in case anyone has the same interest.

After much deliberation I bought an ATI X800XL AGP refurb from NewEgg for $151 delivered. I never dared to go refurb before. With luck, the previous owner didn't destroy the card by overclocking the hell out of it. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

After it's up and running I'll post again.