I've come to believe that a 256-bit memory bus is necessary.

[bupkus]

I've come to believe that a 256-bit memory bus is necessary.

This could be a bad assumption but ever since I saw my first 9800 Pro playing UT2004 I was convinced. Sure, I tried a 6600GT in my old Barton @ 2.2GHz, but was unimpressed.
Now I have a new (untweaked) Venice core PC and just got a cheap X300 for the pci-e slot but now I'm playing UT2004 at frame rates similar to my Ti4200 on the AXP.

I did a Newegg search (nice search engine that) on a vid with PCI-E + 256-bit mem interface + $200 ceiling and I get PCX5900 (no thanks) and x800. The x800 starts at about $150 AMIR of $30 and up in $ from there.

If I up the ceiling to $250 I also get:
6800 for $200 AMIR of $20 up to an
x800 w/ 256MB GDDR3 for $209 AMIR of $30
Finally an x800pro for $250

$250 - $300

SUMMARY:
All I want to do is run UT2004 @ 1280x1024 (my LCD max) and nice framerates.

 

[compgeek89]

The 6600 GT does that for me. Even at stock speeds. I max everything out at 1280x10254.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I max everything out at 1280x10254.

:Q

 

[Ronin]

I think I can do that res if I set a custom one.......maybe.

 

[sbuckler]

X800 is a good deal, often o/c well, and will have no problem with ut2004 at 1280*1024.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Your Athlon XP is holding you back. An A64 or Pentium C or above would be a better/faster match for the cards.

 

[Gamingphreek]

I max everything out with my 5900XT. I dont know what your problem is but, a 6600GT and a 9800Pro should walk all over UT.

-Kevin

 

[SonicIce]

9800 Pro vs 6600 GT
6600 GT wins every single time, except on high res UT2004 in which the 9800 Pro wins by 1-2%. (and 640x480 Farcry but who cares)