Need Video Card Buying Advice..

[djtech2k]

Whats up everyone?

I saw that there was alot of knowledge here, so i figured I'd ask for some experience or opinions on a video card purchase. Here is what i currently run on my rig:

CPU: AMD Athlon XP 64 3000
RAM: 1GB Samsung DDR400 (2.5CAS)
MB: Abit KV8MAX3
HD: 80GB ATA166
DVD: LG DVD+-RW, DVD+-R, DVDRAM
VIDEO: Power Color ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 256mb
SCREEN: Sony 19" Flat LCD (Response Time = 12ms)
CASE: X-SuperAlien
PS: 500W

I want to upgrade my video. I am looking a few cards and manufacturers, and need some help. I am comparing/considering the ATI X800Pro, ATI X800XT Platinum, NVIDIA 6800Ultra, NVIDIA 6800GT. So far, the ATI X800XT Plat and NVIDIA 6800Ultra are my choices, but I need to be sure. First, I primarily play the battlefield series for gaming. Otherwise do some minor grafx/video work, so its not a huge thing. I just want good quality, performance, and something that will last for a while. I dont want to have to upgrade in 6 months in other words. Anyway, the 6800Ultra looks good, but its specs are not as high as the x800 XT Plat, I have read that the NVIDIA runs hotter, it takes up more space, and I have read that it requires more power. The ATI X800 XT Plat looks good, but I have hearc that NVIDIA is more stable and performs better in games. The ATI is also IMPOSSIBLE to get in retail from ATI. It seems the only ones I can get are OEM and made by other companies like GigaByte. The NVIDIA I am looking most at is the 6800Ultra made by Asus RETAIL. The ATI I am looking at most is the X800xt Platinum OEM by GigaByte.

Now, do you guys have any recommendations on which card and which manufacturer to go with? I am also looking for a good deal. So far places like newegg and zipzoomfly have been best that I found.

Thanks,

DJ

 

[McArra]

I'd go with a 6800GT (I love my ASUS, and that's the brand I recommend to you). I wouldn't buy another thing, but if you go with a X800XT you won't regreat it neither. Both are xtremely good cards.

 

[djtech2k]

So you recommend the Asus 6800GT? How much better is the Asus 6800Ultra? It appears to be about $200 more. Is it worth it and will the 6800GT be a high-end card for that much longer?

-DJ

 

[McArra]

6800Ultrta is about 10% faster, and you can easily achieve this with an OC. The Asus comes with 1.47Vcore and dual molex, so is pretty easy to take it to high speeds. So for me the Ultra is worth nothing compared to a GT.

Hope this helps.

 

[djtech2k]

I have never gotten into OC'ing anything just out of fear it will burn up. I always buy quality parts that are capable of it, but have never doen it. I just want the best performace I can get for the money...like everyone else!!!

These are all expensive, so I guess its all about the same. I have just read alot about the 6800ultra and the X800xt pe. I have read that some say taht the 6800GT cant compete, but have no idea how true that is.

-DJ

 

[djtech2k]

Well, it looks like the price I had was an error. The price diff between the 6800Ultra and the 6800GT is only $100, not 200. The 200 is to the 128mb GT version. Bad price on pricegrabber did it.


-DJ

 

[cubby1223]

I don't recall the exact specs of the Asus cards, but read up on them. Most 6800GT & above cards use GDDR3 ram @ ~1GHz, Asus has some models using regular DDR ram @ ~500MHz.

 

[roguerower]

I have a ATI X800 Pro and it runs every game I have perfectly. If you have the change and you want top of the line go X800XT PE or the new X850 line coming out or the fastest 6800 (Ultra?). I have an ASUS mobo and I love it.

 

[djtech2k]

Here si the one I am looking at most:

http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec....ULTRA/2DT&langs=09

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-121-176&depa=0


-DJ

 

[webekyle]

I have a 6800 Ultra that i was selling (check my F.S. link below), may still sell it but depends...

 

[McArra]

I would go with this one. The cooler is better IMO.

Also ASUS uses GDDR3 for 6800GT 256mb and Ultra.

 

[Icepick]

I would save your money and get the 6800GT. It gives top level performance in today's games and you won't notice a difference. That's the sweet spot in price/performance IMO. Go with whichever brand is on sale for the lowest price. They're all good.

 

[djtech2k]

So you are saying that the Refurbished one in the link has a better cooler than the regular one? There is only like $12 diff between the refurb and the retail one.

I am considering the GT, but an Asus is still gonna cost $440, when I can get Ultra about 80-100 more.

-DJ

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: djtech2k
So you are saying that the Refurbished one in the link has a better cooler than the regular one? There is only like $12 diff between the refurb and the retail one.

I am considering the GT, but an Asus is still gonna cost $440, when I can get Ultra about 80-100 more.

-DJ

Sorry, didn't see it was refurbhished, i meant the ULtra DELUXE model, which comes higher clocked and with that cooler.

 

[djtech2k]

Well, that is a good card too. However, it is clocked the same as on the regular Ultra and it is about $60 more. Plus, it seems to be even more difficult to get that the ultra.


Arrgh! This process is difficult! When you get into these cards, its almost cheaper to go with the X800 XT Plat!

 

[djtech2k]

I am quickly finding that the Asus 6800Ultra DELUXE is HARD to get...and harder to get cheap. It is on backorder everywhere I have found a price under $600.


-DJ

 

[impemonk]

Hey McArra, would you recommend the ASUS 6800 GT 128MB version? I am looking into getting a decent video card that HAS the 16 pipes already enabled. I noticed that the ASUS 6800GT 128 is clocked at 350/700.

 

[impemonk]

mcbump

 

[Fuzn]

evga 6800 gt or bfg 6800 gt and oc to ultra.

 

[flyingdagger]

To my opinion , RETAIL cards tend to have less problem. ASUS is a good brand but for 6800GT or Ultra, I would also recommend BFG. Both ASUS and BFG have video cards.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: impemonk
Hey McArra, would you recommend the ASUS 6800 GT 128MB version? I am looking into getting a decent video card that HAS the 16 pipes already enabled. I noticed that the ASUS 6800GT 128 is clocked at 350/700.

I think the memory is a limiting factor there so no, I wouldn't recommend it unless you can find it for the price of a regular 6800. I wouldn't recommend ASUS V9999GE neither as a 6800 core with 256Mb GDDR3 for the price of a regular 6800GT is not worth obviously. Either go with the ASUS 6800GT 256mb/Ultra Deluxe which are both great if you have the money (you won't regret it), or go with the 128mb 6800GT if you can find it for the price of a regular 6800.

 

[djtech2k]

So would you say that the 6800Ultra is that much better than the 6800GT and worth it?

-DJ

 

[McArra]

I wouldn't buy a 6800Ultra knowing the GT performs almost the same at a lower price and that quite possibly I will be able to OC it to Ultra.

 

[djtech2k]

What about the 6800 Ultra Deluxe by Asus? Doesnt it have a better cooler?

 

[djtech2k]

According to Asus, the 6800GT it comes with the good cooler and it clocks at 350. The 6800 Ultra clocks at 425 and does NOT come with the good cooler. The 6800 Ultra Deluxe comes with the the good cooler and it clocks at 425. The price diff between 6800GT and the Ultra Deluxe is about $130.

What do you guys think?

-DJ