Newbie to gaming - need video help

[chollyred]

Hi,

My grandson (lives with me) was just given Star Wars: Battlefront for his birthday. My PC currently only has the integrated graphics. I need to add a video card for him to be able to play (me too).

Trying to research the web, I've just confused the heck out of myself. Right now, I'm considering the ATI 9600XT and the Nvidia 6600GT. Gotta be AGP. I'm trying to stay under $150. I haven't checked the power supply yet to find out what wattage I have.

Of these two cards, which would be better? Anything else comparative at that price point?

I've searched through the threads here, but don't understand many of the points about clocking, unlocking, etc. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[secretanchitman]

i would get the 6800XT.

$139 and is very good in performance.

what kind of computer do you have? a manufacturer built, custom build, etc? that would give us a better idea.

and welcome to the forums!

 

[chollyred]

Appreciate the welcome and guidance!

It's a Compaq Presario SR1115Cl with an Athlon 2800+ at 2.08 GHz, 512 Mb Ram, and 120 Gb hard drive. Integrated video with 64 Mb shared video memory and the integrated sound card.

It's difficult for me to understand spending $200+ to play a $20 game. :Q

 

[CKXP]

It's difficult for me to understand spending $200+ to play a $20 game.

quote of the day. i agree with secretanchitman, the 6800xt would suit you fine as well as a 6600gt, or which ever is cheaper.

 

[v8envy]

Originally posted by: chollyred

It's difficult for me to understand spending $200+ to play a $20 game. :Q

You and everyone else. Which is why PC game sections are disappearing out of retail stores like BestBuy and Walmart. Mainstream gaming is all about the console.

Other card to look at in the $100 range: X700Pro. But your choice of 9600XT at around $70 should handle SW just fine at 1024x768 with medium or low textures, no FSAA.

The $1500 graphics card setups are for people who * really * like their games. Bout the same as buying a ferrari over a civic, really. Some segments of gaming are about the experience, not so much utility and value.

 

[Malladine]

Um, guys, that $200 video isn't good for just 1 game you know...

And WALMART gaming might be about the console, mainstream is not :laugh:

To be a little more constructive here, i'll add my weight FWIW to the 6600gt. Great card.

 

[Rockhound1]

I would recommend the 6600GT. It is a generation ahead of the 9600XT. The 6600GT is faster and will last longer before becoming obsolete. However, the 6600GT (for the AGP slot) will require you to connect a power cord (molex) from your computer's power supply. Make sure your computer has one to spare before making your purchase.

 

[Eureka]

I'd recommend the 6600GT above all other cards in the range $100-150. It smokes the 9600XT, and it's faster stock than the 6800XT, and although the 6800XT is better if you can unlock it, there's no guarantee. And it also smokes the x700pro.. it would've been challenged by the x700xt if it ever came out though.

Norm

 

[Zebo]

Then buy more games - that $100 6600GT can play 1000's of games.


If you think about $100 aint shat these days! - that's one dinner with drinks with wife - Even with one game like BF2 that's 40-70 hrs of enjoyment. Break that down and it's less than any movie rental.

 

[mwmorph]

if all youi want to play is Star Wars Battlefront, a 9600pro($50 used in foums), a 9800pro($95 used in forums) or a 6600gt($120 at newegg after rebate) will suffice. no need to spend $150.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Yep, either 6600GT or a 6800XT. I have the same in mind but I can't DECIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wolfshanze]

A $200 video card to play a $20 game? Isn't that something like buying a $499 console to play one $55 game?

That video card plays EVERY game you put on your system... also console systems are absolutley horrible at doing your term paper, business application or paying bills on-line.

Having said that, at your price-point, I'd go with the 6600GT... nice card.

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Yep, either 6600GT or a 6800XT. I have the same in mind but I can't DECIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I'll do it for you... hmm... 6600GT!

There's a reason why everyone knows about the 6600GT and not so much the 6800XT.

Norm

 

[zagood]

IMPORTANT!!!!!

Whatever video card you do end up getting, you're almost definitely going to need a new power supply. My wife has almost exactly the same computer (but the HP version) which came stock with a 250w PSU with something like 16 amps on the +12v rail.

I bought her the 6600GT for christmas and paired it with a new power supply. Look for something in the $50 range with at least 24-26 amps (combined between +12v1 and +12v2 is ok) on the +12v rail, and anywhere above 360 watts.

I bought her this one and it works perfectly. Probably should have gone for the 450w for an additional 7 bucks but I was in a hurry to get in the order before 2.

You're also probably going to need an intake fan if your case doesn't already have one. My wife's didn't and her machine started to overheat after playing The Movies for an hour, so we took the side panel off. I can't find a place to easily add an intake fan so I'm going to be doing some drilling after christmas.

Edit: lol...just noticed that you "haven't checked the wattage" yet...doh. So you DO know what you're doing...

-z

 

[chollyred]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
A $200 video card to play a $20 game? Isn't that something like buying a $499 console to play one $55 game?

That video card plays EVERY game you put on your system... also console systems are absolutley horrible at doing your term paper, business application or paying bills on-line.

Having said that, at your price-point, I'd go with the 6600GT... nice card.

Yeah, I know. I'm sure we'll get a lot of benefit from this over time. I'm pretty sure that this won't be the only game that ever gets played on this machine. It's just new territory for me. At least I can justify this to the wife because it's for the kids instead of me!

Thanks for all of the help. I'll be considering the 6600GT as the 1st option.

 

[tuteja1986]

get 6600GT or X800GTO they are both at 150ish price range and both are good ALso buy FARCRY ! i bet your grandson will love the game and BF1942 beats battlefront ass anyday ! its a $10 game. Battlefront stole most of ideas from BF1942.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Yeah, Farcry is a steal of a game for $20 bucks, and you'll justify the video card with that game! The $499 X-Box 360 doesn't have Farcry (and if it did, it wouldn't cost $20 bucks either).

Speaking of justification to the wife, just remind her upgrading the computer is half the cost of a new console system, and the games cost half as much too!