I am looking for a new Video card....

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,196
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First a little background...

I have a 6800GT @ Ultra speeds and I play BF2 pretty regularly (to be replaced by another First Person Shooter whenever I hear of something as fun with less bugs). My 6800GT is coupled to:

- Samsung 20" LCD (Native resolution 1600x1200), Digital and Analog inputs.

- Socket 754 A64 3000+ (Clocked up from 2000 (10x200) to 2400 (9x266)) w/an XP-120 HS/Fan.

- Gigabyte GA-K8NSNXP Motherboard.

- 2GB (2x1GB) OCZ PC3200 2,3,2,5 Memory.

- Antec 3700 case with a newer Antec 380 PS (it's the newer one and has better specs then the Antec True 480W that it replaced).

- 36GB Raptor HD (for games) and 120GB+80GB HD's for everything else.

My big dilemma is that I don't have a ton of cash to spend on this, but I am having memory issues with my 6800GT (I don't suggest that ANYONE buy a PNY video card without getting a Product Replacement Plan from wherever it is that they buy it) and it is still covered under a replacement plan for a few more months. Therefore I can expect a $400 credit towards another Video card as long as I buy it from CompUSA. I relize that I can't really get much better without going to a PCI-e based card and that means changing out the Motherboard (I am fine with that).

HERE is a list of CompUSAs PCI-e offerings.

Is the ATI Radeon X1900 XTX better then the ATI X1900 Crossfire? What about the GeForce 7900GT (Damn... I'd be buying another PNY card)?

I am considering a ABIT NV8 NF4 Motherboard for about $70 shipped. I am also considering trying to scrape up $250 for a S939 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ and S939 Mobo. I am not concerned with going SLI anytime soon.

What do you guys think would be the best video card for my situation? I just don't have the money to spend on a AM2 CPU/Mobo/DDR2. I don't really mind keeping my S754 for another year or so either.

I am sorry to have been so long-winded, but I just wanted to give all the information I could.

-Thanks, Ken
 

Fallengod

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
5,908
19
81
Id recommend an evga 7900gt. Now I dont think compusa carries them and youd also have to get a pcie mobo but.... they are the best bang 4 buck. You can find them used on forums with a lifetime warranty for around $200. They are faster than a 7800gtx and run cooler. New they are around $240AR. Or you could go ati and get the equivalent.
 

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
5,479
14
81
Hmm, looking at your profile you live on the same island as I do :p
So were on LI do you live?

Anyway, look at the X1900XT from Newegg. After MIR you can get an OEM one for $290ish.
Also if you did want retail you can get them for ~$330-350 either after instant savings or MIR. Thats the card of choice right now.

If you want something cheaper take a look at either the 7900GT (vmodded it OC's like mad) or a X1800XT (you get HDR+AA, and better IQ but doesn't OC like the 7900GT and thus wouldn't be as fast).

So take your pick.
 

hmorphone

Senior member
Oct 14, 2005
345
0
0
I think you guys are missing the point. The OP is saying he's going to have to get the card from CompUSA because that's where he has to return his PNY 6800GT at. He also expects $400 in credit and prob doesn't want to go much over or under this amount. Out of the choices he has, SEE HIS LINK, it looks like a no-brainer. Get the ATI X1900XTX. If you plan to crossfire later or expect a higher resale value you might get the ATI X1900 crossfire edition instead. I believe the crossfire edition is clocked maybe 25 mhz less than the XTX, and it does puzzle me as to why ATI did that.
 

avi85

Senior member
Apr 24, 2006
988
0
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a 7900gt uses about 64 watts and the x1900xtx uses about 121 watts so you may have to upgrade your power supply if you want the x1900xtx

*waiting for akshayt to say that the x1900xtx is the only way to go...
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,196
4
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So, by-and-large, the X1900XTX is better then the 7900GT for the same price (not including any additional cost for a new PSU)?

I am still open for discussion, but this certainly limits the amount of research that I need to do. I thank you guys for your help.

My next concern is gonna be how many people are gonna say that my current CPU will hamper the new video card. To be frank, more then one person told me that my 6800GT (@ Ultra speeds) was being limited by my XP M2400+ (@ 2300), I didn't really see any gain in my 3D applications by going to a A64 (@ 2400). My benchmarks got better (Super Pi, etc...), but no real gains in my 3D benchmarks or applications. I realize that a 100 Mhz increase was less then a %5 gain, but the new CPU certainly seems to do more with each clock cycle as shown by the non-3D benchmarks. I might be able to get another 100 Mhz from overclocking with the NF4 chipset, but I am still very happy with the power of this machine for now.
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,196
4
81
Originally posted by: avi85
.... the x1900xtx uses about 121 watts so you may have to upgrade your power supply if you want the x1900xtx......
Wow! I see what you mean: "450-Watt power supply or greater, 30 Amps on 12 volt rail recommended (assumes fully loaded system)"

My Antec 380W PSII shows dual 12V rails of 16A and 16A, so I guess that I have enough if thier assumption of a fully loaded system has (1)SATA HD + (2)IDE HD's, a DVD Burner, and (5) 120MM Fans ((6) if you include the one on the PS itself). I will try it with my 380W PS, if it doesn't cut it, I will buy a better one later.
 

Mattd46612

Senior member
Jan 23, 2005
670
0
0
x1900xtx is a good deal more expensive than the x1900xt. And you can usually overclock the xt to xtx speeds. save the money and maybe use it if your psu doesnt cut it.
 

sisq0kidd

Lifer
Apr 27, 2004
17,043
1
81
Hey Ken!

Grim choices in terms of pricing, but the only card that seems decent for the price is the x1900xtx. Everything else seems bloated by at least $100. Your Antec psu might run that x1900xtx considering it does have dual rails, but I'm going with the majority in saying that it looks like you're going to have to upgrade that.

Over all, I think the route you have chosen, "if it doesn't cut it, I will buy a better one later (concerning the psu)" is the best way to go :thumbsup:
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,196
4
81
Originally posted by: Mattd46612
x1900xtx is a good deal more expensive than the x1900xt. And you can usually overclock the xt to xtx speeds. save the money and maybe use it if your psu doesnt cut it.
Where did you see the X1900XT in the link that I gave? Am I missing something? I do see a X1900 GT, but I assume that isn't what you mean...


Originally posted by: sisq0kiddGrim choices in terms of pricing, but the only card that seems decent for the price is the x1900xtx. Everything else seems bloated by at least $100.00...
Thanks. I haven't been following Video Cards lately and it is so easy to get eclipsed so fast. I agree that most of thier cards are overpriced, but with a $400 credit there, they will get my business once again. I will most likely pull out one of my Hard Drives and I realize that I still might need to swap PSU's. I just can't see spending the money right now if it isn't absolutely necessary. Maybe in a few months I will have enough 'spare' cash to pick up a new CPU/Motherboard/PSU (by then I will decide if I want DDR2 also...) but until that time I am trying to keep costs down and my gaming up ;)!