Need best bang-for-buck card for my boy

[frazzled]

i seriously doubt a 9600pro can play HL2 on HIGHEST settings

I completely agree. I appreciate the poster's input re: buying a stopgap card (and saving me $$), but I really prefer to buy "no quite cutting edge" gear in this contex.
That GeForce3 card lasted over 3 years and while I don't expect the same longevity from the 6600GT, I think he will get some good use from it.

Besides, I want this to be a *big* step up and everything I have read suggests that the Ti200 -> 6600GT will definitely be noticible.

JT

 

[zakee00]

Besides, I want this to be a *big* step up and everything I have read suggests that the Ti200 -> 6600GT will definitely be noticible.

JT

oh boy, will it!
Nick

 

[2Xtreme21]

If you're worried about longevity, you may want to put an extra $40 or so toward a 6800nu. It's quite faster than the 6600GT and most have the ability to make it even faster via softmod (4 more pipes / 1 more vertex processor).

Though, if around $250 is too much for you, the 6600GT is a very nice card.

 

[gobucks]

6600GT is the best $200 card you can find, at least until ATI's X800 non-pro is actually available at MSRP, which won't be for a while.

yeah, PNY is absolute garbage. I've had to RMA 2 different Ti4200s, and my friend had one die as well.

As for XFX, i have one, and have no problems (it's the PCIe version, though). Overclocking is kind of mediocre, I get artifacts if i go for more than a 9% overclock, but i doubt that's an issue for you. The software bundle is lacking, but the card is really cheap, so i can deal with not getting a great game bundle. Oh, yeah, and the memory clock is 1GHz, versus the 900MHz that most AGP 6600GTs use, so that helps a bit at high resolutions. I mainly just like it for the dual DVI, cause i am planning to get another LCD with a lower response time (right now, I have to use my old CRT for games). BFG has the same dual DVI, and is overclocked with a great warranty, but the cards have been basically vaporware for the last 3-4 months. I just now saw one at bestbuy, and it was $250, not exactly a steal. Still, if you find one at a good price, go for it.

In terms of performance, I run HL2 at 1280x1024 with 4x AntiAliasing/8x Anisotropic Filtering, and get somewhere in the neighborhood of 35-45FPS. The AF isn't that important, but the AA makes a huge difference due to the large amounds of small, diagonal objects like fences and ledges and stuff. On a P4 with slower clock and memory (3.06 is a 533FSB, correct?) and no overclocking, I'd say you could get 40FPS at the same resolution if you turn off Anisotropic filtering, or dropping down to 2x AA. That's quite playable. On the other hand, a 9600 Pro would probably only be playable at 1024x768 with no eye candy.

 

[Blastman]

A 9600pro will run HL2 at 10x7-8AF no problem I?m just finishing HL2 on my 9600XT ? max-settings except (reflect=world, shadows=low). The game runs very well at 10x7-2AA/8AF (Performance-AF). In fact, I?m surprised how well HL2 runs on a 9600XT.

If you like ATI, you might consider a 9800pro 128MB (must be a 256bit model), it?s still a very good card and is usually a little under $200. The 6600GT is faster but not by a huge amount (10-20% - average). Where I live a 9800pro costs about $265CAD and the 6600GT (AGP) costs about $310 -350 (20% more) ? so they offer about the same price/performance.

 

[hans030390]

just because a 9600 plays HL2 well doesnt mean it will play other new games. You NEED to get a 6600Gt...it has SM3.0, which will be needed in a year or two.

but i dunno i just heard that XFX wasnt a good choice and that usually the other brands work better...like....gigabyte, galaxy....you know....

either way, it will be a step up no matter what brand you get.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: frazzled
It is amazing how much the video card market has simplified at this range ... it's really a pleasure.

Sure is simplified since ATi does not want any share in the AGP market.

BTW, I bought an XFX 6600GT, and it's been great so far. Fan was loud, replaced with a Vf700-AlCu, and all is good. I made the purchase because (1) it was the first 6600GT card out, I had been waiting for them since last summer, and (2) I want dual dvi, and if I'm not mistaken XFX is the only 6600GT card to have it. Sure I've only got one monitor now AND it's a CRT, but I might have this card a long time and I didn't want to limit my options.

 

[Yossairian]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey

Originally posted by: DusterAZ
This looks like one of the best deals for a 6600GT ->

http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-145-102

DO NOT BUY FROM EXTREAM GEAR!!!

They sent me a bad 6800GT, I got them to RMA the card, and I got an even worse one. When I requested my money back, they would no longer return my emails, and I couldn't get them on the phone.

AVOID BUYXG AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

I have actually had a similar experiance with them and a return. Absolutely no response to emails, and phone calls to them always ended up in a voicemail that never ended up getting answered. I finally had to take recourse with my CC company who immediately reversed the charge..

Ditto on the 6600GT reccomendation though. I love mine.

 

[impemonk]

buy a 6600GT AGP for your son. Nevermind the mention of a 9600pro because getting a mid range card now will save you the trouble of getting another video card when your son, say, wants to start playing more frame intensive games (a la FPS'ers or RTS's). Having a 6600GT would be better IMO. Also, massive props for being a cool dad. Most dads would be like "IMMA BUY YOU A COFFE MUG AND LET YOU PLAY SOFTBALL WITH THE BIG BOYOS".