opinions wanted budget vidcard selection

[kenji4life]

no thread craps please, if you don't like the thread you can leave:

1. ASUS EN7300GT SILENT/HTD/256M GeForce 7300GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
* Unit Price: $81.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121021

2. Leadtek WinFast PX7300GT TDH 128MB DDR3 Extreme Geforce 7300GT 128MB 128-bit
GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
* Unit Price: $83.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122008

3. connect3D 3070 Radeon X1650XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
* Unit Price: $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814142090

4. BFG Tech BFGW6600GTOCX GeForce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM
Price
prices respectively:
* Unit Price: $99.99
* ($59.99 after $40.00 Mail-In Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143084

I'm leaning towards the x1650xt even though it's the most expensive. It has the 256bit memory bus which seems to stand out.

I'll be using it to play 'older' games like cs:s, q4 etc mostly but will be playing some newer games at lower resolutions until I build a full out system in the fall.

I don't want to spend a lot and you can see I set a budget of around 100 dollars for the video card. I'm open to suggestions, however like I said I've set the budget and don't really want to budge on it for the older games it'll be playing just until Fall when I rebuild a new system.

Thanks in advance for anyone who reads/contributes.

shopping cart ready to checkout except a basic video card


edit: links added

 

[kenji4life]

saw this also, recertified but otherwise looks like a steal, about to jump on it...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102090

 

[kenji4life]

To me this is turning into x1650xt vs x850xt

I like the lower price and VIVO of the x850xt -despite being recertified

anyone?

edit: ha, the x850xt went out of stock..
guess someone decided for me.

 

[BernardP]

X1650XT is the most recent architecture and is a good midrange card. You can convince yourself by reading the review on X-Bit Labs;

Conclusion Page

If you read the sole review of the X850XT on NewEgg, you see:

Performs between a X1600XT and a X1650XT

I would definitely choose the X1650XT. Also, its video processing abilities (AVIVO) are more advanced than the X850XT. The latter is simply a previous generation card.

Video Playback Article

 

[Cookie Monster]

X1650XT, definately.

 

[tuteja1986]

X1650XT would beat the living crap out of 6600GT !!

 

[kenji4life]

Yeah, looks like I'll be leaning towards a newer ati solution. now just to find a good deal on one.

 

[kenji4life]

Hmm, only one has a 256bit memory bus. The xbit article states that the x1650xt uses a 128bit memory bus.. so did connect3d just change the memory bus on their design? I don't know a lot about how much freedom video card manufacturers have to change the reference design of the cards. At what point to changes make the card eligible for a new title.. Should connect3d name their card accordingly, or is there only negligible performance advantages of this card over the other x1650xt's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814142090

id be curious to see a comparison between this card and a 128bit card.

 

[kenji4life]

hmm.. i'm thinking newegg might be a typo or something, because a reviewer states that it is using a 128 bit bus.

 

[kenji4life]

This is confusing.. can anyone confirm that the connect3d card linked above does indeed have the 256bit memory bus?

 

[kenji4life]

State-of-the-Art 3D Performance Technology
Experience state-of-the-art graphics technology and enjoy unparalleled gaming with the most advanced 3D performance technology including a new ultra-threaded 3D architecture, a 256-bit ring-bus memory controller, support for up to 512MB RAM and Shader Model 3.0 done right. All delivered using the most advance 90 nanometer GPU process.

from connect3d.com

 

[hans007]

1650xt doesnt have a 256bit controller. t he ring bus is not the actual memory bus.

a good option would be the 7600gt Nvidia card , there are some for $89 after rebate now at newegg.

 

[BernardP]

X1650Xt has 128-bit memory controller. 256-bit "Ringbus" is related but not the same thing. Cards higher in the ATI line have 512-bit ringbus and 256-bit memory controller. X1650XT is slightly faster than NVidia 7600GT.

$99 for the Connect3D X1650Xt is a great deal, because no mail-in rebate is involved.

If you are ready to deal with the uncertainties of mail-in rebates, you can even get a Foxcon 7600GT for $114 less $35 rebate = $79

As I prefer the bird in the hand, and the X1650XT is better, I personnaly would spend the $99 for it.

 

[happy medium]

7600gt or 1650 are both good midrange cards for about the same price.

 

[kenji4life]

I think the 1650 has the edge on this one. It's in the cart until I figure out a monitor
I'm looking at the benq fp222w, but I might splurge and spend more to get something better like the dell 2407fpw.. time to go look through the monitor thread.