Need help - last piece of the puzzle.

[daves123]

Hey Guys, Here's my config. Please help me with the PCI graphics card. It's the last thing I need to order. I want to get the most bang for the buck. Take a look at the list I have or please suggest something else. It will be used for video editing and gaming, mostly flight sim. I want to keep the cost down as much as possible.

THANKS!


Case:
Antec SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower $104

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail $190

MOBO:
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $107.50

MEMORY:
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail $81.99 (x2= $164)

Graphics: ???
Leadtek PX6600GT TDH Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $154
MSI RX800-TD128E Radeon X800 128MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $163 AR ($30)
MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $173
GIGABYTE GV-NX66T128VP Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $196
GIGABYTE GV-RX80256D Radeon X800 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $196
MSI RX800-TD256E Radeon X800 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $209 AR ($30)
MSI NX6800-TD128E Geforce 6800 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $229
SAPPHIRE 100600SR Radeon X800PRO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $265

 

[Munky]

If you're looking for a pci-e gfx card for <$200, the x800 is the best choice. I recently got a 256mb x800 for $170 AR, and it's a sweet deal. I'm pretty sure they still have some rebates going on, so pick whichever brand you like best.

 

[daves123]

OK, I'll go with the X800, but I haven't found any for that price. Where did you get it for $170AR?

 

[Munky]

They had a deal on Newegg in July for the Sapphire 256mb x800. But even the MSI 128mb x800 for $163 is a good card, way better than the 6600gt's going around for the same price.

 

[hans030390]

get a 6600gt or a 6800nu...they have shader model 3, which if you plan on keeping the computer for a couple years, you'll want it.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: hans030390
get a 6600gt or a 6800nu...they have shader model 3, which if you plan on keeping the computer for a couple years, you'll want it.

Hans... I didn't want it to come to this, but I've got news for ya: a x800 will KILL the 6600gt in most games because it's a more powerful card. Sm3 will not do anything for the 6600gt because in a couple of years it will be too slow to run games with all the eye candy. Did you even try running sm3 stuff on your 6600gt? Try enabling soft shadows or hdr in Chaos Theory, and then let us know how many fps you got.

The 6800nu is about the same level of performance as the x800, but it's more expensive, and not worth the extra money.

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: hans030390
get a 6600gt or a 6800nu...they have shader model 3, which if you plan on keeping the computer for a couple years, you'll want it.

LOL! Again with the SM3.0!

Anyway, I second Munky here, the x800 series is pretty solid, and for $163 you can't go wrong. The only suggestion I would have is to try and stretch your budget for an XL or Pro version, you will appreciate the speed bump

Nat

 

[blckgrffn]

Look at this...

Saphire X800 Pro - $253 shipped.

That would be a nice card, IMHO... maybe not worth the money, but good.

Nat