Best Video card for NO MORE than $200

[Boney]

Well unfortunatly my 9800pro 256mb card FINALLY just died. I have had this thing forever. I am going to be upgrading my system entirely in about a year hopefully to X2 and PCI-E so i want a good solid card that can get me by till then.
I dont want anything too expensive since im upgrading in a short while so what do you think would be the best bang for the buck?
Or should I just buy another old 9800pro? or are most sub $200 cards going to blow its socks off?

 

[hans030390]

Get a 6800 vanilla...50/50 chance of unlocking the pipes on it and OCing it (to make it rather nice), and its still great on its own.
Plus it has shader model 3.....BUT since you say you'll be upgrading within a year, you could go for a similar x800 card. Heck even a 6600gt should last you for a year.

But when you do make your new system, make sure it has either an R520 in it (ATI) or a 6/7 series card (nvidia)...or basically, make sure it has a good card with Shader model 3.

and i'm sorry that your card died

 

[LoungeAct404]

What games will you be playing?

 

[Rock Hydra]

I would go with the 6800 because you can unlock the pipelines and gain a little extra performance there. Although, you may upgrade in a year, things might not go according to plan and might have to update later than taht. This still fits your price point and gives better performance than the 6600GT for only about 30 dollars more.

 

[happy medium]

This one is the best bang for the buck and 3 year warranty and overclocks like a champ.

http://shop.ati.com/searchresults.asp?dept_id=39

edit: and will smoke a 6800nu

 

[Boney]

Well from what im seeing from my limited searching ...... my choices are between a

9800XT 256mb for 150ish
Gigabyte X800 256mbfor 205
ATI X800Pro 256mb REFURBISHED for 199

BFG 6600GT 128mb for 198
6800 vanilla for 200

I play a variety of games, whatever floats my boat at the time, but the MAJORITY of my time is usually CS:S i suppose.

It would seem that the best thing to do would be the ATI X800pro but is a refurb still ok? any other opinions?

 

[happy medium]

6800 vanilla 155.00$
6600gt $151.00
9800xt = no good
x800 256 meg 205.00 [not bad]
x800pro 199.00 [refurbed but 3 year guarantee]

Performance wise 6800nu,6600gt,x800nu are about even so 6800nu is my choice for the $150 range. x800 pro if you want top performance and spend all your money.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: Ultramags
This one is the best bang for the buck and 3 year warranty and overclocks like a champ.

http://shop.ati.com/searchresults.asp?dept_id=39

edit: and will smoke a 6800nu

3 year warranty on a refurb!! :Q Yeah, this is a nice card.

 

[TomKazansky]

a used x800pro.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Refurb x800 Pro.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Boney
Well from what im seeing from my limited searching ...... my choices are between a

9800XT 256mb for 150ish
Gigabyte X800 256mbfor 205
ATI X800Pro 256mb REFURBISHED for 199

BFG 6600GT 128mb for 198
6800 vanilla for 200

I play a variety of games, whatever floats my boat at the time, but the MAJORITY of my time is usually CS:S i suppose.

It would seem that the best thing to do would be the ATI X800pro but is a refurb still ok? any other opinions?

I bet you anything that x800pro is not refurb but brand new card. ATI is trying to clear out old inventory and also pad their numbers before earning.

 

[videoclone]

Its a leagle thing .. ATI must sell built up stock as refurb to avoid retail cards being eaten up by this deal.....its PARTNERS would sue for outpricing them over RRP ...

X800 PRo . all the way/.

 

[Boney]

alrighty well i ordered the X800Pro .......... $214 shipped. Ty for the nice link Ultramags.