best video card around $200 that's DX10 capable?

AFurryReptile

Golden Member
Nov 5, 2006
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Basiclly what i said above,I'm looking for acard around $200, maybe a little more, that's direct x10 enabled. Any suggestions? Thanks
 

BenchZowner

Senior member
Dec 9, 2006
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There's only 1 answer, and it's called GeForce 8600GTS.
But that's not a real gamers card...unless you like playing at 1024x768 2xAA/4xAF

I'd definitely save some cash and rise up a bit to a 8800GTS 320mb.
 

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
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www.lenon.com
Originally posted by: BenchZowner
There's only 1 answer, and it's called GeForce 8600GTS.
But that's not a real gamers card...

I'd definitely save some cash and rise up a bit to a 8800GTS 320mb.
Agreed!

In other words, you WILL be disappointed with the 8600's performance, or lack thereof! ;)
 

Cookie Monster

Diamond Member
May 7, 2005
5,161
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8600GTS is the only real choice here since its the fastest DX10 capable card for that amount of money.

Note that the performance is roughly 7900GS equivalent.
 

chunkylafanga

Junior Member
Jun 14, 2007
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you get buy 2 2600XTs (256mb probably) and stick em in crossfire. Each card uses only 45W, and if you get the passively cooled set (does it come passively cooled?), then it would be nice and quite too.
 

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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Crossfiring 2 midrange cards is the stupidest idea EVER. You are better of buying 1 single card for the same price of 2 2600xts, which will use less power and produce less heat AND perform better!
 

Acanthus

Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
19,915
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ostif.org
Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Crossfiring 2 midrange cards is the stupidest idea EVER. You are better of buying 1 single card for the same price of 2 2600xts, which will use less power and produce less heat AND perform better!

This is sound advice, never, ever, use SLI or crossfire on mid range or low end cards.

A single card will always be faster for the same price, and draw less power and put out less heat.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
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Honestly, the midrange for DX10 is pathetic right now. Eventually, Nvidia will have an 8700 on the market, and ATI will have a 2650 Pro, a 2650 XT, a 2650 GTO, and a 2650 GTO2, all with different clocks and memory.

Until then, save your money for a bit longer and grab a 8800GTS 320MB or a 2900XT. Realistically, you are buying these cards for their DX9 performance as DX10 games are only beginning to trickle in. It will be another year-ish before the majority of games are DX10.
 

Extelleron

Diamond Member
Dec 26, 2005
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The $200 market is not the market you want to be in right now. There's nothing solid at the $200 price market... the higher-end, overclocked 8600GTS cards can be found for around $200, but they're a waste of money. For $60-70 more, you can have the 8800GTS 320MB, which is more than 2x as fast as the 8600GTS.

Your best bet is to spend slightly above $100 and go for the HD 2600XT. I would say it's the best value of the mid-range cards right now, even if performance still sucks. Spend a little over $100 now and wait for later this year when GeForce 9 / ATI's next card is out and hopefully the mid-range is a lot better that time around.

EDIT: I see you have an X1950XT already. ANY DirectX10 card at the $200 price point is going to be a downgrade from that. Even 8800GTS 320MB isn't going to be a huge upgrade. Stick with your X1950XT and wait for the next-generation of DX10 cards.
 

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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Extelleron is right, if you do have a 1950xt right now. Reason I bought the 8800gts is because I had a 7600gs 512mb and it's slow as CRAP, and I didn't feel like spending 170 euro's on a x1950xt when I could get a 8800gts 320mb for 100$ more, considering there will be dx10 games be4 nvidia's new GPU's come out. Bottomline, I went from crap to pretty good, you would be going from good to slightly better.
 

A5

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2000
4,902
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The current $200 DX10 cards will play DX10 games very slowly once they come out. If you only have $200 to spend, get a X1950XT or save more money to get a 8800GTS.
 

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
2,284
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yeah man don't "upgrade" to a $200 dx10 card yet, it will be a big downgrade from your x1950xt. just wait for g9x.