MSI X800 for $110

[StressedActor]

I've been looking for quite some time now at upgrading my computer and currently I am looking at:

Chaintech VNF4 Ultra MB - $67 shipped
AMD 3000+ 939 - $130 shipped
OCZ Value 2x512mb - $73 shipped

that brings me to $270. I'd like a vid card in the $150 range or less if I can get a good card for the price. For a long time I was looking at the 6600GT but the MSI X800 is cheaper and faster, yes? What are your recommendations for the $100-$200 card range. Obviously PCI-E is necessary.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Doesn't that X800 for $110 only have 128MB of ram? The GPU and memory clocks are also lower than the X800XL, PRO and XT.

 

[StressedActor]

yeah it's only 128mb. i know it's still slower that the XL, PRO and XT but I'm looking at best performance for my budget. all the video reviews I've read through on anandtech seem to show the x800 as being about equal to a 6800. although maybe those tests are with a 256mb x800? I don't know.

If you or anyone has any recommendations on a ~ $150 card that is great. I'm trying to keep the budget below $450-$500 and I still need to get a PSU which will take about $70 I think.

 

[Matthias99]

The X800 (as long as it's not an X800SE) should be faster than a 6600GT. It's basically an underclocked X800Pro. Digit-life has both a 6600GT and an X800 in their current monthly tests.

Not having 256MB of memory is pretty irrelevant on cards at this performance range; it will only make a difference at settings that are unplayably slow in any newer games.

If you want to stretch your budget a bit further, an X800XL or 6800GS would be the next step up from the X800/6600GT. The X800GTO/GTO2 is another possibility, since those cards are *real* fast if they unlock successfully (although they are now harder to get at a good price).