Help me make a decision on a video card.

[hootpie]

Right now I have an eVGA 256mb 6800XT PCI-e. It came stock at 325/600 and I bumped it up to 432/815 via Coolbits auto-overclock. Temperatures didn't rise much and my 3dMark06 went from 1452 to 1912.

I bought an NV Silencer Rev3 for it, but it wont fit inside my case (stupid Dell computer) because of a huge heatsink. The fan is pretty loud and bothersome to me, so I was thinking about getting an Accelero X1, which I think will fit better (can anyone tell?).

After that, I thought instead of buying a new heatsink/fan to silence the card (~$40) so I can overclock it more, I should just return the card (paid ~$120) and upgrade to a 6800GT PCI-e. Are the 6800GT's pretty overclockable with a stock HSF?

I only play BF2 and a little bit of HL/HL2 on a 2007WFP.

Thoughts?

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

I would suggest a 7600GT . . . also I have some doubts about a 6800GT fitting too well from what the pic shows . . .

 

[hootpie]

Originally posted by: 1Dark1Sharigan1
I would suggest a 7600GT . . . also I have some doubts about a 6800GT fitting too well from what the pic shows . . .

Any particular reasons you'd choose the 7600GT over the 6800GT? Is the 7600 pretty overclockable with the stock HSF?

Here's the 6800XT that's in my computer right now.

While we're on the subject of 7600GT's...which would you pick?


XFX 169.99

OR

One of these (I have a $100 concession coupon for Dell): http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/sear...2242&category_id=2999&k=7600gt&x=0&y=0

Edit: Fan needs to be quiet too!

 

[hootpie]

I just realized that most 6800GT's still sell for $160+...that's pretty darn close to a 7600GT, which I assume, outperforms the 6800GT.

 

[emilyek]

My two cents:

These are the best budget GPU choices right now, listed in ascending order:

An EVGA or XFX 7600gt $175-200

or

A cheap x1800gto $200-225

or

Sapphire X1800XT 256mb $250-300

Don't buy PNY if you can avoid them. They are renowned for low quality control.

Don't get a 6800 series card. A 7600GT is faster than a 6800 Ultra and is cheaper than a 6800gt or GS.

 

[hootpie]

^ thanks for the reply. I just realized what whole 7600 v 6800 thing

I want to go for something cheap and quiet, so it's down to an XFX 7600GT (eVGA's fans are too loud for my taste) or just getting an Accelero X1 (will this fit in my case?) for my 6800XT (which cost me $97 after MIR)...I'm just wondering if the extra $80-$100 to buy a 7600GT is worth it if all I play is BF2/HL2. As of right now, I can run BF2 at 1680x1050 set to "high" 4xAA and textures/lighting at medium with very playable FPS. I'm thinking if I can squeeze out a little more performance and silence it, I'll be happy.

I hate being on a budget/price conscience. When I built my last gaming computer, I went all out and just got the BFG 7800GTX OC as soon as it came out.

 

[emilyek]

For BF2 and HL2, absolutely. 7600gt tears those games up. Oblivion is another matter, but that tears all cards up.

A 6800XT is slower than a 6600gt.

If you think fps are good with it, you'll be stunned by a 7600gt.

Another plus of the 7600gt is that it is small, and does not require external power, which is good for premade boxes, like Dells