Looking for a decent PCI-e video card under budget

[Bbc84]

I just bought an AMD 64 X2 3800+ combo with an ECS A939 Motherboard from Fry's over Black Friday for 280.

And found out that it takes PCI-e vid card only.

I havent built a computer since beginning of HS which is almost 5-6yrs ago.
So kinda out of the loop.

Been reading up on this site, and toms hardeware. Im looking for a card that will perform well with games such as HL2/CS, Doom3, and Lineage II.

Id perfer a card if possible 150 and under.
Which pretty much leaves me ATI X800 series and GeForce 6600 series. So which card would be a good deal for me? I have read that 256mb is pretty much useless on the 6600 cards because its 128 bit, but the 256bit cards would be better off with teh 256mb cards. Is that true? I was going to try to get a 6800nu, but after reading more carefully about unlocking it seems the AGP cards are the only unlockable ones and the 6800nu isnt much better than a 6600gt in pci-e.

Cards Ive been considering:

connect3D 3038 Radeon X800GTO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card $175/$150AR

POWERCOLOR R43CA-GD3D Radeon X800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card $161/$149AR

PNY VCG6600GXPB Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card $139/$99AR

Rosewill R6600-256SLI Geforce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 SLI Video Card $105

 

[buzzsaw13]

go for the GTO!

 

[Cooler]

GTO unlock pipes and overclock.

 

[Bbc84]

So connect3D X800GTO? im guessing thats not the same as the X800GT from powercolor?

BTW are there any places that might have better price than those i posted from newegg?

And what are the chances that i can unlock the GTO. from what i read about the AGP 6800nu, theres a 50% chance that it can be unlocked and function correctly.

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: Bbc84
So connect3D X800GTO? im guessing thats not the same as the X800GT from powercolor?

BTW are there any places that might have better price than those i posted from newegg?

And what are the chances that i can unlock the GTO. from what i read about the AGP 6800nu, theres a 50% chance that it can be unlocked and function correctly.

its like 90% unlock.

 

[hans030390]

How much can you spend? if you have the cash, go for a 6800gs ($200)

Well worth it.

 

[Bbc84]

Originally posted by: hans030390
How much can you spend? if you have the cash, go for a 6800gs ($200)

Well worth it.

Is the 6800gs better than an unlocked X800GTO?

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: Bbc84

Originally posted by: hans030390
How much can you spend? if you have the cash, go for a 6800gs ($200)

Well worth it.

Is the 6800gs better than an unlocked X800GTO?

no unlocked GTO is basicly x850xt/pe

 

[buzzsaw13]

Originally posted by: hans030390
How much can you spend? if you have the cash, go for a 6800gs ($200)

Well worth it.

If he doesn't mind overclocking and unlocking the GTO is better bang for buck. The GS is very good performance for money, but its nearly $50 extra.

 

[lifeguard1999]

6600 256 MB for $82
6600GT 128 MB for $102
6800 128 MB for $151
6800 256 MB for $190
6800GS 256 MB for $204

It is hard to beat a 6600GT for $102.

 

[Captante]

Don't even consider the 6600/256mb & the 6800nu isn't worth $190... I'd say it comes down to the 6600GT or the X800GTO.

 

[Powermoloch]

X800GTO or 6800 GS

 

[Bbc84]

I think im planning on the X800GTO and hopeing it unlocks. Too bad i havent found any local stores that sell that card, otherwise i would go buy and return until i find one that unlocks.

 

[Bbc84]