OT: Main cruncher needs a new video card

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
O

OhioDude

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2001
4,223
0
0
I'd like to replace my video card in my main cruncher and would like some opinions. I would post this in the video forum but I see many such requests give rise to suggestions like, "Why don't you just spend a few (hundred) bucks more and buy a 78,000,000GTX4786 or a Radeon XL800,000XLXXX Revision 17 so you'll be able to play Doom 9 when it's released!", or they descend into raging flame wars over which vid card vendor sucks the most.

I haven't really been keeping up on the current video card technologies over the past couple of years so bear with me.

This card will be replacing a MSI Ti-4200 8x AGP card. I want to keep it in the $150 - $180 range and I definitely want to stay under $200. My system is an XP2500 Barton overclocked to 2GHz with 512 MB RAM and it is used mostly for software development work as well as S@H. It also hosts my Seti queue and runs my race stats and milestones application every day (trying to keep this semi on-topic...). ;)

I've also been known to spend numerous hours on weekends gaming as well. :)

I have been looking at the Apollo Geforce 6800 ($165 at Newegg) and the MSI Geforce 6600GT ($158 at Newegg after $30 rebate - big software bundle, too). I'm open to ATI also, but I must plead ignorance on those cards. :eek:

Oh, and I'd like a quiet HSF, too.

Any suggestions?

:)

[EDIT] - Read below... :)
 
H

Hurricane Andrew

Golden Member
Nov 28, 2004
1,613
0
71
Geeze. Get something like this and spend the extra dough on an extra 512MB stick of RAM. Then again, I've always been partial to ATI, so take it with a grain of salt :D
 
kb3edk

kb3edk

Senior member
Jul 11, 2004
494
0
0
Originally posted by: OhioDude
I have been looking at the Apollo Geforce 6800 ($165 at Newegg) and the MSI Geforce 6600GT ($158 at Newegg after $30 rebate - big software bundle, too). I'm open to ATI also, but I must plead ignorance on those cards. :eek:

Oh, and I'd like a quiet HSF, too.
Click to expand...

Well, you mention the 6800, and a quiet HSF... this one is passively cooled, and barely squeaks in below your $200 absolute maximum. There's nothing else out quite like it these days... passively cooled 6600s are more plentiful and sell in the $100-$125 price range.

 
Wolfsraider

Wolfsraider

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2002
8,305
0
76
ati 9700-9800 pro cards are cheap now if you go that route (used are usually around 80.00-120.00)

I am running an x800 pro and it replaced a 9700 pro, I cant tell a lot of difference in speed or performance. some games run a tad smoother but for the money a 9700 pro was 1/3 the cost.

Mike
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
If you're not playing games on it, just get like a GeForce 6200\5200 or a Radeon 9200 and save your money.

Whoops, just read the gaming part. Go for a GeForce 6600GT.
 
rise

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
i also think the 6600gt would be a nice choice. that 6800 is nice too but with the 6600gt you could still have enough for another 512 stick, no?

edit-the only thing i don't like about the 5900 (as a former owner of one) is that dx9 croaks it.

not trying to kill a sale for you Wiz
 
L

lobadobadingdong

Lifer
Aug 27, 2002
10,043
2
0
my 9700pro (aiw mind you) has been rock solid and more than adequate for everything I've thrown at it for over 2 years (including bf2). edit: I have a similar system but with 1gig of pc2700.

the 9600xt is nearly just as fast and runs ~$85-90, you'd still have enough for another stick of mem.
 
ICXRa

ICXRa

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2001
5,924
0
71
My .02

Get the X800 pro deal that has been going on for weeks now in hot deals. $199.00 less the 5% coupon + $15.00 shipping. Refurb directly from ATI with 3 yr warranty and most people are reporting tht these cards look brand new.

ATI Link

Thread

Or pickup the regualar 6800 you posted about. Performance should be similar! It maybe possible to unlock the 6800.
 
W

Wiz

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
6,459
16
81
the only thing i don't like about the 5900 (as a former owner of one) is that dx9 croaks it.
Click to expand...

My BFG Asylum 5900 ran great on DX9c - HL2 & D3 were smooth as butter.

With the $10 off for TeAm Mates it's now only $85.00 ( AT TeAm Mates only price)
 
O

OhioDude

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2001
4,223
0
0
Wow! X800 Pro for $189? Three year warranty? Even if it is a refurb, that seems like a heck of a deal.

Twice the memory. 50% more pixel pipelines than the 6600GT. Benchmarks in most DX9 games seem to place the performance on par with a 6800GT. Sounds pretty much like a no-brainer...
 
ICXRa

ICXRa

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2001
5,924
0
71
I think so!

I picked up the X800XT PE for 229 less the coupn but they have since pulled it off. It's rather loud apparently so this one is better suited for you needs anyway judging from your post!
 
E

Ed Omega

Junior Member
Jul 12, 2005
23
0
0
A new option at a very good price is the ATI X800GT. This is around the same price as the 6600GT but gives it a whuppin in nearly all DX9 games and is nearly a match in OpenGL games. For value for money this now beats the 6600GT which was the king of bang for bucks. The only thing is that the AGP version isnt available yet, but apparently will be out mid to end sept (so one site said)

As mentioned by a couple of guys here, even a 9700Pro or 9800Pro (now lots of them going second hand for much cheapness) will give you double the performance of your 4200. I went from a 4400 to 9700Pro and the difference was incredible. Games like Morrowind and Dungeon Seige came alive.
 
O

OhioDude

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2001
4,223
0
0
Well, just placed my order for an X800 Pro. Came to a grand total with shipping of $203.56. A few bucks more than my original ceiling but that deal is just a little too good to pass up. :)

Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions/advice.

As they say in Ohio: This is a great TeAm!
...in Mississippi: Y'all are great!
...in California: Yo, Dudes!
...in the UK: You mates are spot on!
...in New York: You suck!

;)
 
Freewolf

Freewolf

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2001
9,673
1
81
Originally posted by: OhioDude
Well, just placed my order for an X800 Pro. Came to a grand total with shipping of $203.56. A few bucks more than my original ceiling but that deal is just a little too good to pass up. :)

Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions/advice.

As they say in Ohio: This is a great TeAm!
...in Mississippi: Y'all are great!
...in California: Yo, Dudes!
...in the UK: You mates are spot on!
...in New York: You suck!

;)
Click to expand...
Too late to tell you about this then.

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...roduct_Code=190367&Category_Code=VC-NV
 
O

OhioDude

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2001
4,223
0
0
Well, you gotta love this!

I called customer service and spoke to Marcus and told him that I entered an order for an X800 Pro at 1:00 PM their time and that I just checked the website again (about 2-1/2 hours later) and the price had dropped another $20.00. He asked for my order number and said, "No problem!" He would gladly issue me a $20.00 credit to my credit card because my order had come in right before the price change. I asked if I could just cancel the order and re-enter it but he said it was too late for that because the order had already shipped! :Q

So, I'm getting a Radeon X800 Pro for $183.56 including shipping! :D

ATI just won a customer for life. :)

/me happy! :)

Thanks for the suggestion and the heads-up on the price change, Todd! You da man! :)
 
H

Hurricane Andrew

Golden Member
Nov 28, 2004
1,613
0
71
OD,

I've had a couple of companies do that for me, and it sure does go a long way toward building loyalty. Crucial is very good about issuing a credit for a price change, and believe it or not Buy.com has been good to me as well. It's nice to know some companies still believe in customer service.
 
O

OhioDude

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2001
4,223
0
0
My Radeon X800 Pro just walked through the door. :D

This puppy looks brand spankin' new. I'll be installing it this evening.

/me excited!
 
C

Coolkid

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2003
2,189
0
0
Nice, I bought a X800 Pro too :D
Paid for it secondhand over the weekend, just waiting to get it now :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom