Good, solid PCI-E video card for non-extreme use?

[shira]

Is the Nvidia 6600GT still the moderate-priced "card of choice" for non-gamers? There's a decent rebate out there right now on ATI X800 cards, and you can purchase a 128MB X800 PCI-Express at about the same price as a 6600GT 128MB PCI-Express (non-extreme).

So, what video card would you recommend (for a DFI NF4 Ultra-D MB)? (I'm not much of a gamer - adventure games, if any at all). Price is really not an issue, but I'd rather not pay for capability I won't make use of.

And whatever the choice, what brand(s) would you recommend? (I know Anandtech rated the LeadTak PC6600GT TDH highly, but I don't know anything about X800 cards.)

 

[ProviaFan]

What are you doing with the system? The last I heard, some ATI users (including myself, pre-upgrade) had issues with slow redraws of palettes in Photoshop CS2; a few Nvidia users had this as well, but I don't have any issues with my 6600-based card. I bought the Gigabyte version of this card for the factory-installed passive cooling.

 

[Soccerman06]

Use this site: http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphi...050524/vga_charts-02.html#3d_mark_2005 , as a reference, all cards are PCI-E. Its pretty update except no 7800GTX. If it is in your price range ($280-$300), get the x800xl, it will be able to play next gen games that much more than the 6600gt. It will probably get lower in price once more mid range products come out from ATI/Nvidia

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan
What are you doing with the system? The last I heard, some ATI users (including myself, pre-upgrade) had issues with slow redraws of palettes in Photoshop CS2; a few Nvidia users had this as well, but I don't have any issues with my 6600-based card. I bought the Gigabyte version of this card for the factory-installed passive cooling.

Thanks for your response!

Yes, I do use Photoshop from time to time (and will be ugrading to CS2). Also, as I wrote in my original post, I play some fairly "static" games (for example, Syberia). But I'll be purchasing a 21-inch LCD in the next six months, and will be running at 1600x1200 rez. I don't think that's anything that would warrant a high-end card.

My rig has a OCZ Powerstream 520w PSU, so it's not super-quiet. So passive cooling (to reduce noise) is not nearly as important to me as additional reliability.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: shira
Thanks for your response!

Yes, I do use Photoshop from time to time (and will be ugrading to CS2). Also, as I wrote in my original post, I play some fairly "static" games (for example, Syberia). But I'll be purchasing a 21-inch LCD in the next six months, and will be running at 1600x1200 rez. I don't think that's anything that would warrant a high-end card.

My rig has a OCZ Powerstream 520w PSU, so it's not super-quiet. Passive cooling (to reduce noise) is not nearly as important as additional reliability.

My Gigabyte 6600 drives a Samsung 213T by the DVI output with no problems. I don't play any games so can't really comment, but World Wind isn't too choppy when in full screen mode.

Given that you don't seem to have the same budget and noise requirements that I had, I would suggest something a little higher up in performance. What that should be, I have no idea. Perhaps a 6600GT or something from the 6800 series. Perhaps something with dual DVI outputs in case you want to upgrade to two LCDs in the future. Certainly not a 7800GTX, as that's extreme overkill.

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Use this site: http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphi...050524/vga_charts-02.html#3d_mark_2005 , as a reference, all cards are PCI-E. Its pretty update except no 7800GTX. If it is in your price range ($280-$300), get the x800xl, it will be able to play next gen games that much more than the 6600gt. It will probably get lower in price once more mid range products come out from ATI/Nvidia

Is there any particular brand of x800xl you'd recommend?

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

Originally posted by: shira
Thanks for your response!

Yes, I do use Photoshop from time to time (and will be ugrading to CS2). Also, as I wrote in my original post, I play some fairly "static" games (for example, Syberia). But I'll be purchasing a 21-inch LCD in the next six months, and will be running at 1600x1200 rez. I don't think that's anything that would warrant a high-end card.

My rig has a OCZ Powerstream 520w PSU, so it's not super-quiet. Passive cooling (to reduce noise) is not nearly as important as additional reliability.

My Gigabyte 6600 drives a Samsung 213T by the DVI output with no problems. I don't play any games so can't really comment, but World Wind isn't too choppy when in full screen mode.

Given that you don't seem to have the same budget and noise requirements that I had, I would suggest something a little higher up in performance. What that should be, I have no idea. Perhaps a 6600GT or something from the 6800 series. Perhaps something with dual DVI outputs in case you want to upgrade to two LCDs in the future. Certainly not a 7800GTX, as that's extreme overkill.

Yeah, I think a 7800GTX (and most of the other higher-end cards) would be at least 60% wasted in my system. But your point about dual-monitor usage is a good one. I wonder what card is adequate for driving two LCDs at 1600x1200.

 

[hans007]

if you want dual dvi outputs, get an ati with dual dvi.

there is a power color x700 non pro that has dual dvi, its very cheap . a non-gamer does not need an x800. barely even needs an x700. 2d quality has nothing to do with the 3d power of a chip...

a matrox g200 does 2d just as well as an 7800gtx.

 

[Soccerman06]

Originally posted by: shira

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Use this site: http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphi...050524/vga_charts-02.html#3d_mark_2005 , as a reference, all cards are PCI-E. Its pretty update except no 7800GTX. If it is in your price range ($280-$300), get the x800xl, it will be able to play next gen games that much more than the 6600gt. It will probably get lower in price once more mid range products come out from ATI/Nvidia

Is there any particular brand of x800xl you'd recommend?

Well go look at www.newegg.com and check out the x800xl and see which one fits your needs, ie if you want a little OC, a better warrently, game bundle, or price. You can never go wrong by getting the plain ATI x800xl but its well plain.

 

[n7]

X800XL = best value video card out there currently IMO.

 

[Soccerman06]

X800XL = best value video card out there currently IMO.

Actually, the 9700/9800 gen cards give better price/performance than any current cards . But who cares that stuff isn't top of the line anymore is it?

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06

X800XL = best value video card out there currently IMO.

Actually, the 9700/9800 gen cards give better price/performance than any current cards . But who cares that stuff isn't top of the line anymore is it?

Sure, but they didn't make those in PCI-E, did they?

 

[Soccerman06]

Good point.