Looking to Upgrade again...

[Zaridin]

Ok, it looks like I need to upgrade my video card again. I have a KT4V motherboard running a 3.2 MhZ AMD processor with an Audigy 2ZS sound card and 1gig of 2700 DDR RAM. The weakest link, I think, is my ATI 9600 XT card.

Anyone have advice on which of the $200 dollar cards is best? I'm an avid gamer who loves FPSs but who can't spend any more than 2 big ones in any given time period.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Eureka]

Well, assuming you have AGP, get a Connect3D x800GTO and softmod/overclock it to x800XT speeds.

Otherwise, there's the 6600GT for $130 and 6800NU for about $160.

Norm

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

You can unlock a 6800 NU (to 6800 GT) or overclock a GTO, both are good choices.

 

[RussianSensation]

I was under impression that GTO doesnt even come in AGP>? And I thought only GTO2 is unlockable? I'd probably buy a used 6800GT for $225 and sell the 9600 you have for $25. Thats $200.

 

[Zaridin]

Aye, it's AGP x8. I'd rather not mess with overclocking, as I tend towards caution with mys system.

Is the 6600 a decent enough upgrade from my 9600 XT to warrant the purchase?

 

[Corporate Thug]

GTO

 

[Cookie Monster]

6800nu, unlock it to 16p/6vs.

Or just a 6600GT. (Could get the 256mb version).

 

[Eureka]

6600reg is not worth getting. 6600GT is a good one, the 256mb version is overpriced IMO. 6800Nu and x800GTO are better deals if you want to unlock.

Norm

 

[Sentry2]

X800GTO or a used 6800GT...sold my evga 6800GT with a NV5 on it for $240...that was 4 months ago. I think you could easily get one for around $200 on ebay now.

 

[allies]

Originally posted by: Zaridin
Ok, it looks like I need to upgrade my video card again. I have a KT4V motherboard running a 3.2 MhZ AMD processor with an Audigy 2ZS sound card and 1gig of 2700 DDR RAM. The weakest link, I think, is my ATI 9600 XT card.

Anyone have advice on which of the $200 dollar cards is best? I'm an avid gamer who loves FPSs but who can't spend any more than 2 big ones in any given time period.

Thanks in advance!

Actually, I'm pretty sure your bottleneck is your 3.2 Mhz AMD processor You should look into upgrading that, it's not the 80s anymore you know!?

 

[Zaridin]

Well, that would require me to upgrade my motherboard, which is more than I'm looking to spend. And yes, I meant 3.2 Gigahertz...it was late, I hadn't had coffee. =P

How about the radeon x700? Seems comparable in specs to the 6600 GT....?

Thanks for all the responses so far, btw.

Edit: Ok, so after doing some research, it appears that the 6600 GT is better than the x700 Pro in most categories...my question is whether 256 MB RAM provides that much better of a performance boost over 128mb RAM, or am I better off getting the GT and another stick of 512 mb DDR RAM in my core system?

Ah, decisions decisions.

 

[Piuc2020]

You don't need 256mb vram on a card with that little power. I suggest you get a 6800NU or X800GTO and unlock pipelines and vertex shaders, and even if you don't they are still more powerful than the 6600GT (which is starting to become outdated).

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
Well, assuming you have AGP, get a Connect3D x800GTO and softmod/overclock it to x800XT speeds.

Otherwise, there's the 6600GT for $130 and 6800NU for about $160.

Norm

The Connect3D x800GTO is only in PCIe format.

the only AGP version of the 800GTO that I'm aware of is the Sapphire model....which also I do not believe will unlock..