Need video card, can't spend much

[quadomatic]

I love my X850 Pro. It's a solid card, and runs games very well. That being said though, it only supports up to Shader Model 2.0b. That doesn't help, considering that a large number of games coming to the PC require Shader Model 3 hardware.

I don't have much money to spend. My budget for the card is probably around $150, but I'd like to spend much less. I'd take a used GeForce 7 series card if I could get one for cheap. I could get the HD3850, but I'm not sure that is the best choice I can make. If I can, I would rather go with Nvidia, since it has better linux performance as the drivers are much better.

Among the cards I'm considering are the HD3850, 8800GS and the 9600GT. I hear the 9600GT will be available in February. I'd also buy a used GeForce 7 series card if I can get one for cheap.

Any recommendations or deals would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Tempered81]

id fork out the extra 50 bucks and get this

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...07466&prodlist=froogle

or go with the 3850 or 3870
http://www.clubit.com/product_...620017&cmp=OTC-fr00g13

 

[Belles Toaster]

I go to NCIX get a diamond 2600xt 256mb ddr3 for ~ $67. Cdn after rebate. Its in the same league as the 850pro or better. Sit out the turmoil as new cards arrive and most likely when you sell that 2600xt you may break close to even, and enjoy some DX10 !

 

[happy medium]

2900pro is the best deall at 150.00$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102717

 

[quadomatic]

Originally posted by: Belles Toaster
I go to NCIX get a diamond 2600xt 256mb ddr3 for ~ $67. Cdn after rebate. Its in the same league as the 850pro or better. Sit out the turmoil as new cards arrive and most likely when you sell that 2600xt you may break close to even, and enjoy some DX10 !

It is close in performance, but the X850 Pro outperforms it many times. I might want to go with a more solid card though. A 7900 GS sounds like a better choice.

 

[Belles Toaster]

My brother in law has a computer store, a lot of last gen Ati (19xx) and Nvidia(79xx) cards, single slot designs double as space heaters. If you can get one from a trustworthy source, ok. I am seeing 8600GTS 256mb used going for about $85. Cdn. New online they go for $110.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: happy medium
2900pro is the best deall at 150.00$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102717

With overclocking this card has it in spades. For $135 you can't ask for more really.

 

[spittledip]

Originally posted by: happy medium
2900pro is the best deall at 150.00$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102717

No man, that is the 256 bit version. You want the 512 bit version of the pro. The 3850 will eat that thing for dinner, so his best bet if he wants to stay within range is the 3850 (AR):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814241066

 

[quadomatic]

If I want to go under $100, would you recommend the 7900 series or the X1950 Pro (used cards)?

 

[happy medium]

You are wrong the 2900pro 256bit will out perform a3850 and nip at a 3870's toes.
As discussed in another thread.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2147238&enterthread=y

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: quadomatic
If I want to go under $100, would you recommend the 7900 series or the X1950 Pro (used cards)?

The 1950 pro

 

[quadomatic]

The 8600GT sounds like a decent deal. They sell for $60-$75 on newegg, which is very affordable.

 

[happy medium]

A 8600gt is not much of an upgrade.

Heres a 1950gt (used) for 80.00$ or best offer.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=x1950gt

 

[quadomatic]

The X1950 GT didn't look so good when I looked it up.

 

[quadomatic]

I think I'll either save up for the HD3850, or buy an 8600GT and volt mod and OC it.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Replay]

If you are considering the 8600 GT, this 8600 GTS might suit you. "ECS", or "rebate" might scare away some buyers. No customer reviews yet at newegg.

$85 AR shipped. ECS N8600GTS-256MX+ GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814134011

 

[kmmatney]

The 8600 is not a wothwhile upgrade from a X850Pro. If you are going to upgrade, do a real upgrade to a 3850 or the 2900Pro. The 8600 is just a side grade - not going to get you anywhere.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: kmmatney
The 8600 is not a wothwhile upgrade from a X850Pro. If you are going to upgrade, do a real upgrade to a 3850 or the 2900Pro. The 8600 is just a side grade - not going to get you anywhere.

Exactly. Newer games don't just require SM3, they also have much more graphics detail, and a 8600gt is not good enough to run new games with all those detail. I'd get a 3850 as a minimum, that card would easily be 3x as fast as a x850pro, and it doesn't cost much.

 

[v8envy]

double post

 

[v8envy]

Make sure your PSU is macho enough to handle the 2900Pro once OCd to XT levels. Letting out the magic smoke may cost more than $25.

But seriously, mow a lawn or two or skip lunch a few days to get the 3850. You'll save enough on power to eat some other day.

Oh, you mentioned Linux. Stay away from ATI if you have any aspirations of Linuxhood at all. It's impossible to relay just how nightmarishly awful ATI's Linux support is until you've suffered it first hand, with a myriad of problems from multiple generation cards. I'm a tightwad that apparently doesn't learn very fast. I tried/managed to deal with a 9600 & 9800, 850xt, X1800XT and X200 onboard graphics over the past 5 years before I had the lesson beaten into me -- nv equipped boxes work with OpenGL, TV out, X11+compositing WM and XvMC, ati boxes not so much or not at all. Hang tight until the 9600GT shows up.

 

[quadomatic]

Originally posted by: v8envy
Make sure your PSU is macho enough to handle the 2900Pro once OCd to XT levels. Letting out the magic smoke may cost more than $25.

But seriously, mow a lawn or two or skip lunch a few days to get the 3850. You'll save enough on power to eat some other day.

Oh, you mentioned Linux. Stay away from ATI if you have any aspirations of Linuxhood at all. It's impossible to relay just how nightmarishly awful ATI's Linux support is until you've suffered it first hand, with a myriad of problems from multiple generation cards. I'm a tightwad that apparently doesn't learn very fast. I tried/managed to deal with a 9600 & 9800, 850xt, X1800XT and X200 onboard graphics over the past 5 years before I had the lesson beaten into me -- nv equipped boxes work with OpenGL, TV out, X11+compositing WM and XvMC, ati boxes not so much or not at all. Hang tight until the 9600GT shows up.

Yeah, thanks for reminding me about the 9600GT.

Once I got my X850 Pro, I wasn't able to use Ubuntu anymore because the card wasn't supported. With Feisty and Gutsy, I've had a fairly easy time of using my X850 Pro. Compiz Fusion has worked without a hitch. But, WINE is a horrid experience with an ATI card, as pretty much no 3D games run in WINE while using ATI.

I may just wait for the 9600GT. Hopefully it's a cheaper card, but I doubt it

 

[happy medium]

I believe theres a 8800gs comming soon also. the new drivers support it and it's allready launched in Europe

 

[zorrt]

7900gs and overclock the hell out of it.

 

[accguy9009]

Would these drivers make any difference?

AMD Catalyst 8.01 Linux Driver

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.p...article&item=970&num=1

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: spittledip

Originally posted by: happy medium
2900pro is the best deall at 150.00$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102717

No man, that is the 256 bit version. You want the 512 bit version of the pro. The 3850 will eat that thing for dinner, so his best bet if he wants to stay within range is the 3850 (AR):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814241066

Who started this rumor and why is it repeated so much? The 2900 Pro (even the 256bit version) should be pretty comprable to the 3850. Not to mention the 2900 Pros overclock like mad.