N00b looking for best video card

[Dorito]

Alright well i dont know much about computers (why i came here ). My bro built mine about 4 years ago so its kinda outdated. I want the BEST video card. I know retail they go for $499 but is there a place where i could maybe find one cheaper?

So please give me and name and a link thanks

 

[xboxist]

Well, for absolute starters you need to list out your computer specs for us. You built the computer 4 years ago, so there's a good chance that today's best video cards won't even go into it. And if they do happen to fit, the rest of the computer is probably too slow to even take advantage of the card's power.

 

[Dorito]

Well about the specs... you see my sound card is on my lap right now and rest of comp has been taken apart. Ill give you what i can tho-

Sound Blaster Live 5.1 (definently replacing, dont know with what)
Geforce 3 model ti/450
proc is overclocked to 1.52ghz, amd athalon. (i can remember the name, but it the one that came out at the same time as pent 3)
i dont know what kind of motherboard i have, but thinking of replacing it too.

I know its kinda vauge, but like i said i'm a noob.

 

[Zim Hosein]

I'm sure that most members would agree that www.newegg.com is the place to shop as for a card recommendation, what's the max you want to spend Dorito?

 

[Dorito]

i dont want to give mysef a budget because i want the best. I want this comp to last atleast 4 years too

 

[wkabel23]

Originally posted by: Dorito
i dont want to give mysef a budget because i want the best. I want this comp to last atleast 4 years too

You're going to need to upgrade a whole lot more than just your video card then...

 

[Dorito]

Originally posted by: wkabel23

Originally posted by: Dorito
i dont want to give mysef a budget because i want the best. I want this comp to last atleast 4 years too

You're going to need to upgrade a whole lot more than just your video card then...

yeah i know, sound card im def upgrading, and ill need to upgrade my motherboard and proc too then :frown:

Sugestions please

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: wkabel23

Originally posted by: Dorito
i dont want to give mysef a budget because i want the best. I want this comp to last atleast 4 years too

You're going to need to upgrade a whole lot more than just your video card then...

I agree, mainboard, processor & ram would be a good place to start

 

[Dorito]

I just got to my proc. DAYUM thats a small chip. anyway it says "AMD Athalon AX1700MT3CA KGKA 0140WPCWY7001340119 1999 AMD" I presume that this info is useless?

 

[Dorito]

XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/Dual DVI, 8X AGP, Model"PVT40KND


Tgis is the latest video card, right?

 

[biostud]

Your computer will be very CPU limited (it's an Athlon XP 1700+), and if you wan't the best card/value ATM go for a GF6800GT

 

[Cawchy87]

the 6800GT and 6800Ultra are better cards than those.

6800 = 10 or 12 pipelines? (not sure on this one)

6800gt = 12 pipelines

6800ultra = 16 pipelines

Processors that are needed to run the newest games, nevermind ones that will be out in 4 years are running at least greater than 2.0ghz AMD speaking and not sure Intel wise but i would assume ~2.8

You need a whole new computer. Post in the General Hardware fourm and just ask them to help you select a computer. For gaming you would want an A64 939 socket i would assume if you want it to last 4 years.

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

To last you 4 years, I would recommend going with an Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+, as for the mobo there is several options all weighing in about the same. MSI K8N NEO PLATINUM or the ASUS K8N-E are good choices. As for video card the 6800 GT is probably the best value, it is 16 pipelines just like the ultra. You will probably need DDR ram, pc3200 has quickly become a good standard for gaming. 512MB should do fine for now and you could always upgrade later. Here are some links for what I've recommended. I would DEFINATLY go with an Athlon 64 tho seeing as how the prices just dropped.
AMD 3000+ http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-486&depa=0
512MB DDR400 RAM http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-424&depa=0
Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-457&depa=0
And then good luck on finding a 6800 GT in stock, they sell for 400 retail, the 6800 NU is going for 300 but is 12 pipelines as apposed to 16 of the GT. The best card in the 200 dollar price range would be the 9800 pro.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
the 6800GT and 6800Ultra are better cards than those.

6800 = 10 or 12 pipelines? (not sure on this one)

6800gt = 12 pipelines

6800ultra = 16 pipelines

Processors that are needed to run the newest games, nevermind ones that will be out in 4 years are running at least greater than 2.0ghz AMD speaking and not sure Intel wise but i would assume ~2.8

You need a whole new computer. Post in the General Hardware fourm and just ask them to help you select a computer. For gaming you would want an A64 939 socket i would assume if you want it to last 4 years.

teh GT has 16 pipes.

 

[Dorito]

Originally posted by: OnEMoReTrY
To last you 4 years, I would recommend going with an Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+, as for the mobo there is several options all weighing in about the same. MSI K8N NEO PLATINUM or the ASUS K8N-E are good choices. As for video card the 6800 GT is probably the best value, it is 16 pipelines just like the ultra. You will probably need DDR ram, pc3200 has quickly become a good standard for gaming. 512MB should do fine for now and you could always upgrade later. Here are some links for what I've recommended. I would DEFINATLY go with an Athlon 64 tho seeing as how the prices just dropped.
AMD 3000+ http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-486&depa=0
512MB DDR400 RAM http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-424&depa=0
Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-457&depa=0
And then good luck on finding a 6800 GT in stock, they sell for 400 retail, the 6800 NU is going for 300 but is 12 pipelines as apposed to 16 of the GT. The best card in the 200 dollar price range would be the 9800 pro.

Link to said video cards please?

 

[ponyo]

How's your powersupply? These new cards need lot of juice. I doubt your 4 yr old rig has anything more than 250-300 PS.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Dorito
XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/Dual DVI, 8X AGP, Model"PVT40KND


Tgis is the latest video card, right?

sorta, its a crippled version of the latest, go with the 6800GT, it has all the pipelines, unlike the non ultra/gt 6800

 

[Cawchy87]

6800

6800 GT

6800 Ultra

i just typed in "6800" on newegg. It probibly would be easier if you just did it yourself

9800pro

 

[Sylvanas]

if you want a rig to last you a few years your current wont cut it, sell it, and put the money to good use in an A64 system. heres a link to 6800 ultra's

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

Bear in mind these are only one link per card, there is other companies that make the same model. Like power color, HSI, asus, etc.
9800 PRO http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-213&depa=0
6800 NU (12 pipelines) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-202&depa=0
And for the 6800 GT (16 pipelines) your best bet to find something instock would be www.evga.com

 

[Dorito]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
6800

6800 GT

6800 Ultra

i just typed in "6800" on newegg. It probibly would be easier if you just did it yourself

9800pro

For the price what would be the best choice?

 

[Cawchy87]

if you want to not buy anything for 4 years then i would get the 6800gt. for the price with less longitivity i would go with the 9800pro

 

[GeneralGrievous]

The best video card is the X800 XT Platinum Edition. None of the 6800s will last 4 years, but the XT might for DirectX based games.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
The best video card is the X800 XT Platinum Edition. None of the 6800s will last 4 years, but the XT might for DirectX based games.

Don't you just love fanboys!!

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
The best video card is the X800 XT Platinum Edition. None of the 6800s will last 4 years, but the XT might for DirectX based games.

General do you ever post anything unbiased!!?!?!? How the hell did you come to that conclusion anyways? Before you post stuff like that, Stop... think... and dont do it!! Because all it does is start trouble.

Dorito for your specs here is what i suggest.

If you need prices i SUPPOSE i can get em but for now here it is: (this is a high end system)

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum

Socket 939 AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 3500+ whichever ya want

Memory: Just get 1gig of high performance DDR 400

Soundcard: Soundblaster Audigy 2 (ZS if your going to be using 7.1 speakers)

HDD: 2x 74Gig WD raptors in RAID 0 or 1 74gig and one large IDE HDD.

Video Card: See below

However this is the high end system of this time, i PERSONALLY would definately wait another couple of months (if at all possible) for the Nforce 4 to come out, that way you dont have to waste money on a soundcard as Soundstorm 2 will be there, you can get DDR2 and a PCI-E version graphics card that will hold ya out for a good many years , if not this will too but not quite as well. Nforce 4 is supposed to be like the ultimate thign for A64 that is coming out.

Also if you are going to be holding out for that long DO NOT get a 9800Pro. I would say get it if you are looking for a card for around 200$ and are going to upgrade in around a year but for that long, 6800GT, X800XT (PE but there is no difference between the two), oir 6800UE.

-Kevin