Competitive ATi solution?

[taterworks]

A friend of mine is looking for his next computer upgrade. He'd like to replace his X300 with something more capable, now that he's in a better financial situation. He's partial to ATi, but he wants the best bang for his buck and wants to know if the only way to get the best bang for the buck is to go with an nVidia solution. He's only looking at single-card solutions right now -- no SLi or Crossfire. He wants to avoid paying $570 for an X1900 if it's possible. He says he might consider an SLi or Crossfire solution in the future, but for now there's just a single PCI Express x16 slot.

You're the experts, so what's the story?

 

[n7]

7800GT, or i saw an ATI X1800XT for only $430 on newegg

 

[Wreckage]

I'm not sure ATI has anything to compete at the $300 level if that's his budget
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322739

At $400 and above it's get's closer (even better) but under $400 not at all.

 

[taterworks]

He's resigned to shelling out the cash for the ATi X1900. He just wondered if there would be some other card from ATi that would be a better value but he supposes that if the X1800s are $450, then it would be better to spend the extra $50-$75 for the X1900. CPU is AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (939) and he already has an ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe motherboard.

 

[CKXP]

connect3D Radeon X1800XL $319, also these cards are great OCers Legit Reviews x1800xl OC guide

 

[Ackmed]

Ive got an X1800XT for sale in the FS forums, for $360 shipped. Just posted it a little bit ago. Im about to go out for several hours, but will be back later to answer any questions.

 

[apoppin]

x1900xt at Monarch $485.69 after MIR

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
I'm not sure ATI has anything to compete at the $300 level if that's his budget
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322739

At $400 and above it's get's closer (even better) but under $400 not at all.

The X1800XL is a nice card in that price range as other members have posted. I'd have traded one of my 7800GTs for my brother's X1800XL in a heart beat. His card did 668/702 with a very minor bump in voltage while my 7800GTs needed hardware voltmods and H2O just to eek out 550/650. If the OP's buddy doesn't like to oc though, the 7800GT is also a very good buy and might take the win since I've seen them for ~$270.

 

[Giantsfan24]

Yeah for around 270 280. the 7800 is the band for the buck. X800GTO2 comes in next(for around 210-230) and then the 6800GS(which is what I have)(which can be had in the 170-190 range)