Need New Video Card - Gaming

[sgibbs]

I have a Dell 400SC server that I use as a gaming machine (has the 3.2ghz HT) and have been running the ATI 9600 Pro for some time now. Performance is pretty good but have not followed the new video cards over the past year or so and need some information. What are the medium and higher end cards now from ATI and Nvidia and is there an outstanding card out there (performance wise) that is preferred for gaming? Thanks

s.gibbs@insightbb.com

 

[Bateluer]

Do you have a budget? If cost is no object, the 6800 Ultra cards are the fastest cards on the planet.

I think the best card you could get right now, cost/performwise is probably a nVidia Geforce 6800 GT. They can be difficult to find though.

If you can wait a few months for the 6600 GT cards, that might save you some money.

 

[49erinnc]

Best card you're going to get on the ATI, without upgrading to the X800 line (and price) is a 9800 Pro. Don't waste your money on the XT version when you can get the Sapphire or MSI Pro version and get XT speeds out of it pretty easily. On the nVidia side at that price range (around $200), you're pretty much going to have to go with the 5900XT. The 9800 Pro will outperform it though in most situations. If you want to get better performance in the newer games though, you're best off dropping another $100 and getting the 6800 (non GT) or waiting for the 6600GT which won't be out in AGP for awhile.

I just went from a 9600Pro to the MSI 9800Pro this week. I came really close to getting the X800Pro though Dell but I would have had to make some other upgrades to really maximize it's potential and I was on a budget.

Edited to note that my suggestions were simply budget-based. If you have money to blow, then definitely go with the X800Pro/XT (if you want to stick with ATI) or go with the 6800GT/Ultra. Both will run circles around the 9800Pro/5900XT.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i would say X800XT is you have the funds

if not, the 6800GT and the X800 pro are great choices. i really wanted a X800pro but i was able to get a BFG 6800 GT for $270 and i could justify the extra $130 for the X800

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Do you have a budget? If cost is no object, the 6800 Ultra cards are the fastest cards on the planet.

Thats a pretty funny comment... Infact I'm still laughing.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Text

 

[sgibbs]

Thanks for your suggestions and yes money is a factor but I just might wait a bit. I mainly run Flight sim 2004 but when you add in all of the visual effects as well as detailed weather it gets a bit slow (5-10 FPS versus 20-35 FPS when detail is turned down). Thanks

rpgibbs@hotmail.com

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: sgibbs
Thanks for your suggestions and yes money is a factor but I just might wait a bit. I mainly run Flight sim 2004 but when you add in all of the visual effects as well as detailed weather it gets a bit slow (5-10 FPS versus 20-35 FPS when detail is turned down). Thanks

rpgibbs@hotmail.com

The 6800ultra runs flight simulator the fastest if my memory serves me right. if u cant afford that, get the 6800gt.

 

[jim1976]

Get the GT.You will not see differences(at least noticeable) from the Ultra since your processor is not high end. I believe that an Ultra or a X800XT is justified as a purchase only with a P4 EE or with an A64 3400+ and up.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I figured some better and more detailed advice would be given, but none so far. Basically, here's pluses & minuses w/my explanation as to my recommendation:

X800 Pro - 12 pipes, 256MB, 475/900 clock for $400
X800 XT - 16 pipes, 256MB, 525/1150 clock for $500 (Retail, you'll pay much more to get one soon)
6800 - 12 pipes, 128MB, 325/700 clock for $300
6800 GT - 16 pipes, 256MB, 350/1000 clock for $400
6800 Ultra - 16 pipes, 256MB, 400/1100 clock for $500 (Retail, you might pay more but they should become more readily available @ BBY, etc very soon))

As always, ATI has better performance w/AA & AF enabled (in general) and and nVidia has better performance in OpenGL (hands down). nVidia owns Doom3, ATI supposedly owns HL2 (if it EVER comes out).
As I've put it here (fairly un-biased IMO), the GT seems to be the best performance for the money. Most OC easily to Ultra levels if you're into that, and if not still give you awesome performance. If you want to save some money, the 6800 can be unlocked to a full 16 pipes and I would imagine in the near future you can find vanilla 6800's with 256MB, eliminating the other disadvantage of them. Clocks are lower, but for the money you can't beat it. IMO, the only ATI worth buying is the XT. The Pro gets beat by the GT in almost every instance for the same money. I also personally like nVidia's drivers better, between the interface itself, built-in OC options w/Coolbits, and game profiles so you can set specific performance/quality settings for individual games. I'm not an nVidia or ATI fanboy, as I went from a GF4 Ti4200 to a 9800 Pro and loved 'em both. In this round tho, I would say nVidia won in performance/$. ATI would win for top performance if you could find an XT for a less than astronomical price. So, to sum up: I would look at one of the nVidia's depending on your price range or bang/buck, or the XT for ultimate performance (at an ultimate price). The Ultra isn't really worth it IMO, since the GT OCs to Ultra speeds in most cases; but if you want a readily available card than the Ultra is more feasible than the XT.

Okay, enough rambling. Just remember: its only good advice if you take it