half life 2 maxed out graphics

[MidNiteMysT]

im looking to buy a new video card since this card isnt doing much for me and doesnt gimme the graphics i want. its a xfx 6600. i want to be able to max out half life 2 settings to get the full effect. i like the xfx brand so i want to stick with them. and they have the dual dvi outputs which is nice, so i might get another monitor aswell. just looking to see which geforce would give me the graphics i want with half life 2 and maybe a little more for the games to come. i want to spend like $200. do you think the 6800 would suffice? or should i opt for the 6800gt, which is like $70 more. not sure if i want to spend that much on just a video card tho since im just a casual gamer and play very little, but when i do play, i want to be able to have decent graphics. what i really want is the anti aliasing set high to get rid of the sqaureish edges.
Thanks

 

[secretanchitman]

6800GS is your best bet. comes out this week i heard. 6800GTs are getting harder to come by, as their life is almost over. 6800GS is more attractive as its price is lower (250 MSRP, but im sur retailers will sell it in the low 200's), its in native AGP (uses old NV40 core or something so maybe chance to unlock pipes), and is very competitive with the 6800GT when you overclock.

 

[Eureka]

6800GS is the best deal, it will be around 200 AGP, but I don't believe it's out yet.

Otherwise... x800GTO if you can manage to unlock it, but I think the newer ones can't be unlocked.

Norm

 

[killershroom1985]

I was going to go ahead with the 6800GS, but man...think about this: for just a tad bit more, you have a card that will last you longer, do everything you want it to now/futurewise/, and so many more features. $280 for a 7800GT ....Think about it

 

[Elfear]

What res do you play at? If it's 1280x1024 or below than an oced 6800GS should suit your needs pretty well. If you have a PCI-E motherboard than a 7800GT would be a very good card to get as newer games will still be able to run fairly well on it. If all you care about is HL2 than an older ATI card would be a good choice as well. My old X850XT PE would probably be just as fast or faster than a 7800GT in that game.

 

[Eureka]

Well first of all... are you running AGP or PCI-e? If PCI-e, splurge a little and get a cheap 7800GT.

Norm

 

[killershroom1985]

Originally posted by: Elfear
What res do you play at? If it's 1280x1024 or below than an oced 6800GS should suit your needs pretty well. If you have a PCI-E motherboard than a 7800GT would be a very good card to get as newer games will still be able to run fairly well on it. If all you care about is HL2 than an older ATI card would be a good choice as well. My old X850XT PE would probably be just as fast or faster than a 7800GT in that game.

How would it run faster with everything turned up?

 

[MidNiteMysT]

i have a pci-e board. you can get a 7800gt for only $280?? where?? xfx has that for like $320 and the xfx 6800gt is $280. the gs is nice, but it doesnt seem to have dual dvi output which is something i would like to have if i add another monitor. i have a L90D+ monitor, so ill be playing at 1280x1024 res at 60Hz.

do you think its wise to wait till after christmas? im not in too much of a hurry. how much do you think it will go down? cause if it will only go down like $20-30, then ide rather just buy the card now.

 

[oupei]

http://labs.anandtech.com/search.php?q=7800gt&price=yes

looks like newegg has an evga 7800gt for 279 AR

edit: err... or maybe not... I guess you missed it. next best is the PNY from Tiger Direct for 288 AR. up to you whether you wanna go with that or not...

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: killershroom1985

Originally posted by: Elfear
What res do you play at? If it's 1280x1024 or below than an oced 6800GS should suit your needs pretty well. If you have a PCI-E motherboard than a 7800GT would be a very good card to get as newer games will still be able to run fairly well on it. If all you care about is HL2 than an older ATI card would be a good choice as well. My old X850XT PE would probably be just as fast or faster than a 7800GT in that game.

How would it run faster with everything turned up?

Well I replaced the X850XT PE with a BFG 7800GTX and there was like a 5-10% performance difference between the two at 1680x1050 4AA/16AF all details maxed. Since a 7800GT is slower than a 7800GTX, I assume it would be on par with or a tad slower than the X850XT PE.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

Originally posted by: Elfear
Well I replaced the X850XT PE with a BFG 7800GTX and there was like a 5-10% performance difference between the two at 1680x1050 4AA/16AF all details maxed. Since a 7800GT is slower than a 7800GTX, I assume it would be on par with or a tad slower than the X850XT PE.

Better than or on par with a X850XT PE, but also falls short in a few occasions.

 

[killershroom1985]

Lame

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: SPARTAN VI

Originally posted by: Elfear
Well I replaced the X850XT PE with a BFG 7800GTX and there was like a 5-10% performance difference between the two at 1680x1050 4AA/16AF all details maxed. Since a 7800GT is slower than a 7800GTX, I assume it would be on par with or a tad slower than the X850XT PE.

Better than or on par with a X850XT PE, but also falls short in a few occasions.

I only mentioned that in relation to HL2 as my first post suggests. The 7800GT is overall a better buy if you play a variety of games.

Originally posted by: killershroom1985
Lame

 

[killershroom1985]

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: SPARTAN VI

Originally posted by: Elfear
Well I replaced the X850XT PE with a BFG 7800GTX and there was like a 5-10% performance difference between the two at 1680x1050 4AA/16AF all details maxed. Since a 7800GT is slower than a 7800GTX, I assume it would be on par with or a tad slower than the X850XT PE.

Better than or on par with a X850XT PE, but also falls short in a few occasions.

I only mentioned that in relation to HL2 as my first post suggests. The 7800GT is overall a better buy if you play a variety of games.

Originally posted by: killershroom1985
Lame

Ignore that, lol...I thought you were saying the 78000gt was on the same level...Just a cheap ass hoping he didn't waste more money than he had to

 

[Eureka]

Well, the 7800GT is the best deal right now, it might not be as good as the X850XTPE on some occasions, but overall it's better technology.

Norm

 

[secretanchitman]

oh, you have pci-e...whoops!

then by all means go for the 7800GT. the egg had the evga one for 279 after 20 dollar rebate. awesome deal...if you are willing to spend over 200.

that is surely the best bang for the buck.

 

[MidNiteMysT]

damn... its so tempting to buy.... i just dont know if i can bring myself to spend $300 on just a video card... would you guys consider evga a good company? like on par with xfx? because im pretty happy with the cards that ive been buying from xfx but evga seems like a pretty good company aswell.

and can you give me a link to the 7800gt for $280 on new egg? cause i dont see it. dont see any rebates that lead to a $280. might have to buy it from tigerdirect like a person above suggested.

thanks for all the insight guys.

 

[killershroom1985]

Originally posted by: MidNiteMysT
damn... its so tempting to buy.... i just dont know if i can bring myself to spend $300 on just a video card... would you guys consider evga a good company? like on par with xfx? because im pretty happy with the cards that ive been buying from xfx but evga seems like a pretty good company aswell.

The reviews have put EVGA O above the XFX 7800GT. EVGA, from what I've heard, is a good company.

 

[mOeeOm]

Originally posted by: MidNiteMysT
im looking to buy a new video card since this card isnt doing much for me and doesnt gimme the graphics i want. its a xfx 6600. i want to be able to max out half life 2 settings to get the full effect. i like the xfx brand so i want to stick with them. and they have the dual dvi outputs which is nice, so i might get another monitor aswell. just looking to see which geforce would give me the graphics i want with half life 2 and maybe a little more for the games to come. i want to spend like $200. do you think the 6800 would suffice? or should i opt for the 6800gt, which is like $70 more. not sure if i want to spend that much on just a video card tho since im just a casual gamer and play very little, but when i do play, i want to be able to have decent graphics. what i really want is the anti aliasing set high to get rid of the sqaureish edges.
Thanks

You can probably find an X800XL somewhere for that price.

I'm running it at 1280x960, everything maxed out, 6xAA and 16xAF and with fraps running, it always shows 100+ fps, but only get the x800xl if you don't feel good about flashing/overclocking, if you don't mind it go for the GTO, it is in that price range.

 

[secretanchitman]

evga 7800GT

that one is clocked at 460/1100. there are LOTS of versions of the 7800GT from evga. the main difference is their clock speeds. im 99.9% positive on this.

evga is VERY reliable and is known for their awesome step-up program. it lets you trade in your video card (within a certain timeframe) for a higher model only paying the difference. you also cant beat their warranty, and plus, the price is lower.

also, mOeeOm has a good point too. ati's x800XL is a solid choice. but with the 7800GT at less than 300 bucks, its kinda hard to go towards older gen hardware...IMO at least.

good luck!

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
evga 7800GT

that one is clocked at 460/1100. there are LOTS of versions of the 7800GT from evga. the main difference is their clock speeds. im 99.9% positive on this.

evga is VERY reliable and is known for their awesome step-up program. it lets you trade in your video card (within a certain timeframe) for a higher model only paying the difference. you also cant beat their warranty, and plus, the price is lower.

also, mOeeOm has a good point too. ati's x800XL is a solid choice. but with the 7800GT at less than 300 bucks, its kinda hard to go towards older gen hardware...IMO at least.

good luck!

:thumbsup: