eVGA 7600GT ($165.99, $145.99 AR)
eVGA is a solid brand (the other great nVidia brand is BFG). The X1800GTO is $50 over your stated budget and it isn't priced higher because it performs better - it's just more costly to manufacture and performs on par/below the 7600GT. I say stick with nVidia not because you have an nVidia mobo, but because 7600GT is just simply, a better card. Yes, you miss out on HDR+AA in a few games - ask yourself if this is important to you. Even then, HDR+AA is probably best done by an X1800XT/X1900GT and above.
The next decent step-up is a $220 Sapphire X1900GT which is rumored to hit $200 very soon (other brands haven't been quick to drop prices). Then, there is a $240 BBA X1800XT 256MB or a $270 eVGA 7900GT. But these are all way over your budget.
The X1900GT when it hits $200 will be pretty awesome - and the X1800GT will likely be discontinued. For now, my vote is for the 7600GT. Here is a review.
(All prices are from Newegg for Retail products)
eVGA is a solid brand (the other great nVidia brand is BFG). The X1800GTO is $50 over your stated budget and it isn't priced higher because it performs better - it's just more costly to manufacture and performs on par/below the 7600GT. I say stick with nVidia not because you have an nVidia mobo, but because 7600GT is just simply, a better card. Yes, you miss out on HDR+AA in a few games - ask yourself if this is important to you. Even then, HDR+AA is probably best done by an X1800XT/X1900GT and above.
The next decent step-up is a $220 Sapphire X1900GT which is rumored to hit $200 very soon (other brands haven't been quick to drop prices). Then, there is a $240 BBA X1800XT 256MB or a $270 eVGA 7900GT. But these are all way over your budget.
The X1900GT when it hits $200 will be pretty awesome - and the X1800GT will likely be discontinued. For now, my vote is for the 7600GT. Here is a review.
(All prices are from Newegg for Retail products)
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