need help choosing a pci-e video card

[stickybytes]

I will be ordering my new conroe system within a few days. I plan on using this system to play the latest games such as fear, half life 2, and bf2. Which video card will offer the best performance/price ratio for resolutions of 1024x768? I may upgrade to a 17" lcd monitor in the future so the video card should also have decent performance for 1280x1024.

PS: Im looking for a card around the 180-230 price range.

Thanks.

 

[gobucks]

what's your price range? I think the best value is in the $200-250 range. both the X1800XT and the 7900GT are around $225 and provide excellent performance. if you can't afford that, then a 7600GT for like $150-160 is a pretty good deal, although it's only about half as fast as the first 2 cards i listed.

 

[zendari]

Get a 7900 GT at that price.

 

[stickybytes]

 

[stickybytes]

Ok, as of right now, im leaning towards this following 7900 GT model from evga: evga 7900gt ko 256mb for 264.99 with rebate 244.99.

Is this a reasonable price for a 7900 GT?
My second question is will i be able to see the difference between a 7900gt and a 7600gt at the 1024x768 resolution? I will likely stay with my 15" lcd for at least 6 months-1 year.

Furthermore, are there any ATi video cards that are suitable for my needs? Do you recommend any ATi video cards over my current video card selection?

Thanks.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Normally I wouldnt say wait a bit BUT with the next generation of Ati cards not far off you might be able to get a much better card in the near future. Take a look at the prices on the Ati X1900XT, right now they are more then you want to spend but if they come down a bit more then it would be a much better choice assuming they fall to your price range. This card will hold you for a LONG time. I am not saying the Nvidias wont but just something to consider. I am sure if the prices were the same as what you are willing to spend most would say get the 1900, now none of this matters if you have to get a card now.


Added a link since this is a good deal Link

 

[stickybytes]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Normally I wouldnt say wait a bit BUT with the next generation of Ati cards not far off you might be able to get a much better card in the near future. Take a look at the prices on the Ati X1900XT, right now they are more then you want to spend but if they come down a bit more then it would be a much better choice assuming they fall to your price range. This card will hold you for a LONG time. I am not saying the Nvidias wont but just something to consider. I am sure if the prices were the same as what you are willing to spend most would say get the 1900, now none of this matters if you have to get a card now.


Added a link since this is a good deal Link

I'm most likely not going to be spending that much for a video card as 370 is way out of my budget even if there's a rebate that brings it down to 270.

As of right now, im leaning towards the evga 7900gt that i posted above for 264.99 with 20 MIR. If anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know. I will be ordering very soon.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: stickybytes

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Normally I wouldnt say wait a bit BUT with the next generation of Ati cards not far off you might be able to get a much better card in the near future. Take a look at the prices on the Ati X1900XT, right now they are more then you want to spend but if they come down a bit more then it would be a much better choice assuming they fall to your price range. This card will hold you for a LONG time. I am not saying the Nvidias wont but just something to consider. I am sure if the prices were the same as what you are willing to spend most would say get the 1900, now none of this matters if you have to get a card now.


Added a link since this is a good deal Link

I'm most likely not going to be spending that much for a video card as 370 is way out of my budget even if there's a rebate that brings it down to 270.

As of right now, im leaning towards the evga 7900gt that i posted above for 264.99 with 20 MIR. If anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know. I will be ordering very soon.

30 bucks more for a much better card man, but hey its your dollar and for the resolution you are going to run the other card will do fine. I just wanted you to see other options for a tiny bit more money.

 

[akshayt]

get 1900XT

 

[stickybytes]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: stickybytes

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Normally I wouldnt say wait a bit BUT with the next generation of Ati cards not far off you might be able to get a much better card in the near future. Take a look at the prices on the Ati X1900XT, right now they are more then you want to spend but if they come down a bit more then it would be a much better choice assuming they fall to your price range. This card will hold you for a LONG time. I am not saying the Nvidias wont but just something to consider. I am sure if the prices were the same as what you are willing to spend most would say get the 1900, now none of this matters if you have to get a card now.


Added a link since this is a good deal Link

I'm most likely not going to be spending that much for a video card as 370 is way out of my budget even if there's a rebate that brings it down to 270.

As of right now, im leaning towards the evga 7900gt that i posted above for 264.99 with 20 MIR. If anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know. I will be ordering very soon.

30 bucks more for a much better card man, but hey its your dollar and for the resolution you are going to run the other card will do fine. I just wanted you to see other options for a tiny bit more money.

After doing a bit more research, i think i've changed my mind. In the case that i ever buy a monitor >1280x1024, i will be running into serious problems with the 7900gt. Plus, like you said, in the long run, it will only cost me $30 dollars more. The X1900Xt is a wiser investment since it will be more future proof.

That said, i have two X1900Xt video cards that i am considering:
The first is the SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail . It goes for 319.99 plus a 20 MIR which brings it to 289.99.

or the MSI RX1900XT-VT2D512E Radeon X1900XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail. It goes for 378.99 but there's a 100 MIR which knocks it to 278.99.

Since both cards will be priced approximately the same after the mail in rebates, my decision will be based on the quality and performance of the card. Which one should i get and does anyone have any experiences with either one of these cards?

Thanks.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: stickybytes

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: stickybytes

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Normally I wouldnt say wait a bit BUT with the next generation of Ati cards not far off you might be able to get a much better card in the near future. Take a look at the prices on the Ati X1900XT, right now they are more then you want to spend but if they come down a bit more then it would be a much better choice assuming they fall to your price range. This card will hold you for a LONG time. I am not saying the Nvidias wont but just something to consider. I am sure if the prices were the same as what you are willing to spend most would say get the 1900, now none of this matters if you have to get a card now.


Added a link since this is a good deal Link

I'm most likely not going to be spending that much for a video card as 370 is way out of my budget even if there's a rebate that brings it down to 270.

As of right now, im leaning towards the evga 7900gt that i posted above for 264.99 with 20 MIR. If anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know. I will be ordering very soon.

30 bucks more for a much better card man, but hey its your dollar and for the resolution you are going to run the other card will do fine. I just wanted you to see other options for a tiny bit more money.

After doing a bit more research, i think i've changed my mind. In the case that i ever buy a monitor >1280x1024, i will be running into serious problems with the 7900gt. Plus, like you said, in the long run, it will only cost me $30 dollars more. The X1900Xt is a wiser investment since it will be more future proof.

That said, i have two X1900Xt video cards that i am considering:
The first is the SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail . It goes for 319.99 plus a 20 MIR which brings it to 289.99.

or the MSI RX1900XT-VT2D512E Radeon X1900XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail. It goes for 378.99 but there's a 100 MIR which knocks it to 278.99.

Since both cards will be priced approximately the same after the mail in rebates, my decision will be based on the quality and performance of the card. Which one should i get and does anyone have any experiences with either one of these cards?

Thanks.

Good call man you have learned well young jedi, they all perform about the same really so get the cheapest. The card is a beast you will be very happy.

 

[Captante]

Based on a good friend of mines experience with MSI's version, I'd have to say go with the Sapphire model.

His MSI card had a bad tempeture sensor & when he contacted MSI regarding the problem, they told him "thermal monitering is not supported on the X1900XT" ... this on a card that uses tempeture to control fan speed & dynamic overclocking.. (!!) .. luckily he had ordered from Newegg & after he explained the situation to them, they not only took the MSI card back, but waived the restocking fee & gave him full credit towards the Sapphire.

Theres a reason the MSI cards are the cheapest & while I've had good luck with their motherboards in the past, this story left a bad taste in my mouth.