I've got about $200 to spend on a new video card...

[Gagabiji]

Running a 9600 Pro right now, but I have a new mobo coming with PCI-E, so that's an option now too. Any suggestions on what is good and what is bad?

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

On the Nvidia side the 7900GS should fare well.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: Gagabiji
Running a 9600 Pro right now, but I have a new mobo coming with PCI-E, so that's an option now too. Any suggestions on what is good and what is bad?

if you want a DX9 card, the x1950pro pcie is perfect for your price range, however you might think about holding out just a bit more and see what nvidia releases for their midrange 88xx (dx10) solutions.

 

[agathodaimon]

7600GT would be a good mid-range card to get if you want to eventually switch to a DX10 card.

I've been eyeballing an X1950pro lately from zipzoomfly.com.
It's the ASUS model for $189 with their own custom heatsink.

The x1950pro should outpace the 7900gs by a bit. (not a TON, but a bit)

 

[s44]

Wait for the 8600, if you can.

 

[Elderly Newt]

Yeah, the 8600 is suppose to be a little under 200 I believe. On a related note, there is something I am not clear on: Do PCI-E motherboards also have an AGP slot? I want to say no, but I'm not sure.

 

[Gagabiji]

When is the 8600 supposed to come out?

 

[mezrah]

Originally posted by: Elderly Newt
Yeah, the 8600 is suppose to be a little under 200 I believe. On a related note, there is something I am not clear on: Do PCI-E motherboards also have an AGP slot? I want to say no, but I'm not sure.

For 99% of them...no

But there are a couple of boards out there that have both...Like This One

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Gagabiji
When is the 8600 supposed to come out?

Sometime in February.

 

[rileychris]

WHy do you say wiat for the 8600? Is it supposed to be a notch above the x1950 Pro?

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: rileychris
WHy do you say wiat for the 8600? Is it supposed to be a notch above the x1950 Pro?

Well, you tell me? 48 to 64 stream processors, 256-bit GDDR3 either 256 or 512MB?
Sounds pretty sweet no? Now compare those specs to the X1950proPCI-e.

* 8600 Ultra: 64 SP, core 500 MHz, memory 1400 MHz, 512 MB, 256-bit, $179
* 8600 GT: 48 SP, core 350 MHz, memory 1200 MHz, 256 MB, 128-bit, $149
* 8300 GT: 32 SP, core 500 MHz, memory 1200 MHz, 256 MB, 128-bit, $99
* 8300 GS: 24 SP, core 500 MHz, memory 1000 MHz, 256 MB, 128-bit, $79

If I'm not mistaken, the X1950 has 36 shader units.

 

[imported_blacken]

8600U if any IMO. Not a bad price for it either.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Wait for both companies to release next gen parts. At the very least wait until Nvidia releases theres (Or ATI if theirs is first).

-Kevin