I have a question and wondered how helpfull anandtech posters could be!!

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Hi,
I am a new poster with a question that will probably provide a bit of discussion.
I have a friend that i am trying to steer away from buying a video graphics card from w-mart
(old and moldy). He has a budget (kids ect...) I was wondering if any one had solid suggestions with links as to specific cards.
I had been looking at the newest ATI Card a, X1300PRO , in his budget $165 U.S. F/NewEgg.
I am not to fimiliar with this card but thought it might be better than a x700 or a radeon 9800
for a similiar price .
Any advice With usefull links would be appreciated.
Not a newbee,
Thanks, Dave

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Hello new anandtech member

welcome TO ANANDTECH.COM !!!!! (orchestra background)

An Apollo 6800 AGP will suffice

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814140067

166 dollah

you will not be disappointed.

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Thans for the quick reply.
What do you think is a good canidate in my friends budget?
Rember this is a 4x/ 8x agp card for 170 U.S. or less

Thanks, Dave

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
Thans for the quick reply.
What do you think is a good canidate in my friends budget?
Rember this is a 4x/ 8x agp card for 170 U.S. or less

Thanks, Dave

Yes this will meet the criteria (maybe 5 bucks more for shipping) but there will be a $15 mail in rebate...which is definitely cheapter than the X1300pro

From the reviews I skimmed through, there are complaints about Artifacts. But having a good ventilated PC case may be a solution.

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

I did a quick review of the card looks pretty good but it takes up 2 pci slots?!
1? Is it worth it?
2? What are the power requirements?
Thanks,Dave

Cooler · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
I did a quick review of the card looks pretty good but it takes up 2 pci slots?!
1? Is it worth it?
2? What are the power requirements?
Thanks,Dave

its worth it.

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
I did a quick review of the card looks pretty good but it takes up 2 pci slots?!
1? Is it worth it?
2? What are the power requirements?
Thanks,Dave

If your friend is not concerned about the pci slots that the card will sure take up, it will be no problem. As for power requirements. A 350-400 W PSU with a strong 12V+ rail with 18 amps at the minimum will do enough. Or at least a named brand PSU

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Cooler,
Thanks for the interest.
What are we talking about here?
What chipset for what dollars ? Remember a budget.
Is a 6800 better than a 6800 gt or a 6800 xt
for that matter? how about video memory?

thanks,dave

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
Cooler,
Thanks for the interest.
What are we talking about here?
What chipset for what dollars ? Remember a budget.
Is a 6800 better than a 6800 gt or a 6800 xt
for that matter? how about video memory?

thanks,dave

Nvidia 6800 vanilla for 166 bucks (before the 15 dollar rebate

Here is the round up of the cards

6800GT > 6800 = 6800XT

vid memory is 128 megs, which I wont be too worried about.

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Powermloch,
Thanks for the reply .
Unfortunately i was not able to help my friend with his pre-buy (H-P)
I am not sure if his prehario has enough juice or not.
but he says , he is using only one optical drive and (no other than on board other stuff)
For the rest.
Dave

Cooler · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
Cooler,
Thanks for the interest.
What are we talking about here?
What chipset for what dollars ? Remember a budget.
Is a 6800 better than a 6800 gt or a 6800 xt
for that matter? how about video memory?

thanks,dave

Video memory you want 256 mb of GDDR3
6800GT is step below ultra which is +$300 card
If you can still find a 6800GT for under $200 i would jump on it most are $250.
The new 6800GS ~$200 is simular to GT but has 12 pipes while the other has 16 .
Stay away form the XT as it is a 8 pipe card.

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
Powermloch,
Thanks for the reply .
Unfortunately i was not able to help my friend with his pre-buy (H-P)
I am not sure if his prehario has enough juice or not.
but he says , he is using only one optical drive and (no other than on board other stuff)
For the rest.
Dave

Well, lets cross our fingers lol

kmmatney · Feb 7, 2006

A 6800 is not as good as a 6800GT, but is much better than the cards you mentioned in your original post (X1300PRO, x700, or 9800). A 6800 is probably your best card. A 6600GT would also be good. Most 6600GTs will not take out any PCI slots. There are also some 6800s that have a smaller fan and do not obstruct any additional slots. For example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121216

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: kmmatney
A 6800 is not as good as a 6800GT, but is much better than the cards you mentioned in your original post (X1300PRO, x700, or 9800). A 6800 is probably your best card. A 6600GT would also be good. Most 6600GTs will not take out any PCI slots. There are also some 6800s that have a smaller fan and do not obstruct any additional slots. For example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121216

lol that's sick 512 mb? WeIrD and awesome too

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Thanks , kmmatney
But you did kind of over shoot the budget by a little,,, I was stretching things when i asked him to boot it up from 140 u.s. to 170 u.s
Dave

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Did I run into A Dead end here?
What about gpu's
x700,
9000
x1300
6600gt
9800 pro
6800xt all for less than 1 million dollars
Scratch that ...
Less than 170 U.S.

On a reputable website.
Thanks ,Dave

kmmatney · Feb 7, 2006

Here's a good card in budget, but out of stock:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102665

Another good choise is the 6600GT, which is in budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130220

eVGA is a good brand. You can also see a heck of a lot of reviews on this card, this usually means its a good buy.

Here are some benchmarks:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/02/vga_charts_viii/page11.html

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

6600GT is also a good choice too, especially it being able to outperform a 9800 pro and x700 cards. Damn..i remembered buying my 6600 non GT agp for 149.99 last year ;_;

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Thanks , kmmatney,
I like the looks of the sapphire card.
I'd like to tell'em I'm putting him on a waiting list'and I may...
But you know that sucks1
any other suggestions?
Dave

kmmatney · Feb 7, 2006

What about gpu's
x700, <-- Don't bother
9000 <-- way slow...
x1300 <--slow, "pro" version is almost as good as a standard 6600)
6600gt <-- Good, probably best bet
9800 pro <-- Good, almost as good as 6600GT, and cheaper, but older feature set. Is worth considering at the $120 price level.
6800xt <-- Same as 6800LE, better off getting a 6600GT or 6800.

If you don't mind taking up a PCI slot, then the 6800 is the best option for under $170. Next best is 6600GT or X1600Pro. Than maybe a 9800 Pro, 1300 Pro or 6600.

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

Powermoloch,
I know what you mean.
It doesn't take long to come up with something faster and phatter in the world of video cards.
and the price keeps going down ,
this is not a bad thing
but it makes is hard to buy a "decent" card when you need too.
That's Why I appreciate your help now.
Dave

Powermoloch · Feb 7, 2006

Originally posted by: thisisnoBS
Thanks , kmmatney,
I like the looks of the sapphire card.
I'd like to tell'em I'm putting him on a waiting list'and I may...
But you know that sucks1
any other suggestions?
Dave

lol this is ur lucky day.
X1600 PRO for 130 bucks
this is the same exact sapphire card...just oem. and also it's cheaper!!!

It's at chiefvalue.com

right now , the linkage being gay w/ me today so lol

******/app/productdetails.asp?submit=property&item=14-102-665 just add chiefvalue.com in the *******

or a retail version for 2 more bucks

******/app/productdetails.asp?submit=property&item=14-102-666

Keysplayr · Feb 7, 2006

eVGA 6600GT AGP 128MB. newegg linky

$115.00 after Mail in rebate beats the heck out of a 6800nu for 166.00.

Keeping the kids in mind

I know mine will have to go to college one day

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

POWERMOLOCH.
Thanks!!
I checked out chiefvalue.com never heard of them , checked resellerratings.com
and they are wellrated. Thans for the good link!!
no BS

thisisnoBS · Feb 7, 2006

keysplayer2003,
I like the looks of the card but is there a 4x/8x/ agp version?
Thanks!

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