Need suggestions for a GPU in the $100-$200 range

[ZombieRitual]

I'm building a new pc when July 22nd rolls around and I'd like some suggestions for a video card in the 100-200 dollar range. I haven't made decisions aside from these basics:
Q6600
4 Gigs of DDR2 RAM (value name brand)
2 optical drives
2 HD's (500g probably)
P35 mobo
Enermax PSU

I figure since the current generation of mid-range graphics cards are sub-par at everything save maybe playing HD video content, I figure going with a previous generation card and upgrading in a year is a good bet. I had someone toss around a suggestion of an x1950, though I wouldn't know if a Pro or an XT would be a better price/performance ratio. Plus I understand they can be really loud, and I'd like to have a computer that doesn't sound like a constant jet engine running this time around. I'd also like to hear any suggestions from nVidia. What I usually play right now is WoW and the occasional CS: S or Quake 4 game. I'll also be using Vista x64. Thanks!

 

[firewolfsm]

If this is mainly a gaming machine than go with 2GB of ram and put the rest towards your video card, if not, but you'd like to game anyways than go with either the 7900GS, the X1950XT, or the 8600GTS if you would sacrafice performance for DX10. Use the anandtech price engine.

Also, for your board, go with the GA-P35-DS3R, it's amazing for only $130 on newegg. There's also the C version with two added DDR3 slots for a little more.

 

[madh83]

The 1950 Pro is better than the 7900 GS and similarly priced. Beats it in most games, and the filtering is slightly better to most people. It is more power hungry though. If you're planning to upgrade in a year, I wouldn't bother with a 8600GTS. It's comparable in performance to a 1950 pro, and I doubt it would run upcoming dx10 games fast enough for dx10 support to be a big plus(and you're paying more for it). This chart/guide and the preceding information in it should help: http://www.tomshardware.com/20...ney/page7.html#summary

 

[ZombieRitual]

Hm, so what's a better deal, a x1950 xt or x1950 Pro? If the Pro is a better deal, what about the 256 vs 512 models? Also, which one is quieter?

 

[deathwalker]

I have the 7900GS and it gets my vote. Its also reported to be highly overclockable.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: deathwalker
I have the 7900GS and it gets my vote. Its also reported to be highly overclockable.

I had been debating X1950 vs 7950...The 1950 does throw up better numbers but not by an extreme amount (IMHO, to some 2fps is major)...however it's ALOT more power hungry.

I have 4 opticals, 2 HDs (soon to be another 2), SCSI card, Wireless Card, and Sound Card, a floppy, with everything overclocked. I am running 520W and probably pushing the limits as it is.

 

[madh83]

I've only been looking between the 7900GS and 1950pro because I was thinking of getting on of the two myself. Realistically speaking they are in the same class of power, but the 1950pro will beat a stock 7900gs in most games by enough to matter. This is a good comparison of the 2: http://xbitlabs.com/articles/v...ro-gf7900gs.html#sect0

Personally, if power was not an issue, I'd buy a 1950pro 256mb, the 512 mb doesn't seem to be worth it. Most games/cards won't benefit from the extra memory. Otherwise, the 7900s can probably be overclocked to perform about the same as the 1950pro.