future video card recommendations

[dornick]

So I'm gonna be putting my computer for college together this fall and I'm too impatient to wait, so I'm asking now.

What options will I have in 2-3 months? So far, I'm thinking of:

Ati x800 something. This will probably be cheapest, but won't have stuff like SM3

NV6800. has those features.

Next gen card. I seriously doubt the r520 will be out then, but it would be my preferred option. Haven't heard anything from NVidia.

Just get something cheap and hold out for the 520.

Anything else you guys suggest.

I know most people are just going to say shut up and wait, but humor me, and let's speculate. Thanks

 

[Munky]

shut up and wait

























naw, just kidding
If you really want a r520, then get something cheap, like a used gf4200 or something. If you want something good now, I'd get a 6800gt, and then maybe you won't have to buy a r520. I mean, a 6800gt is plenty fast for modern games, and it'll probably be good for at least another year or two. The x800xl is nice too, and it's cheaper, but if you're going to keep the card for a while, then having one with sm3 support is the safe bet, I dunno if sm3 will actually matter much in upcoming games though.

 

[dornick]

I'm sorta leaning towards that option. BTW, I've heard rumors about ATI's SLI equivalent, and that it's supposed to be a lot better than NVidia's. Maybe I should buy an x800 and get another one when it comes out?

 

[mwmorph]

no you'd need to buy a new mb to take advantage of ATI's AMR. yuo need a rd400 chipset mb not the xpress 200s right now so a few months down, you'd need to bun upgrade to a new mb, which is a pain uin the arse.

 

[hans030390]

Sm3 is going to be a must for next gen games (to the point where some will support nothing but 3, from what i've heard). Plus, it looks better and is more effecient than 2.0.

I would recommend a 6600gt. Then, when the Next nvidia/ati cards are released (if ever), you can sell the 6600gt (oh yeah, the 6600gt will be good for a couple years) and get your preferred card. Don't wait, just go for it

 

[dornick]

that looks like the best deal. though we'll see when july rolls around

 

[mdchesne]

Originally posted by: dornick
I'm sorta leaning towards that option. BTW, I've heard rumors about ATI's SLI equivalent, and that it's supposed to be a lot better than NVidia's. Maybe I should buy an x800 and get another one when it comes out?

can you post a link to ati sli possibilities? i'm kinda wondering about that myself. hopefulyl it doesn't require that bridge chip. be nice to sli any ati card together

 

[dornick]

Originally posted by: mdchesne

Originally posted by: dornick
I'm sorta leaning towards that option. BTW, I've heard rumors about ATI's SLI equivalent, and that it's supposed to be a lot better than NVidia's. Maybe I should buy an x800 and get another one when it comes out?

can you post a link to ati sli possibilities? i'm kinda wondering about that myself. hopefulyl it doesn't require that bridge chip. be nice to sli any ati card together

Here is where I saw some info on the SLI as well as the r520. Somewhere else I saw something that said it wouldn't have the connector. As for any card, no clue.