Pls help me choose

[amheck]

Hey guys, I'm putting together a new system:

Asus A8N-E MB (AMD Tech Tour Bundle)
AMD 3200+ Venice (AMD Tech tour Bundle)
Corsair XMS 2x512meg TWINX1024-3200C2 (still deciding)
Seasonic S12-500W (bought today)
Seagate 120gig EIDE HDD (already have)
Lite-On DL DVD burner (already have)
Antec SLK3700AMB w/ stock 120mm fan (already have)
Dell 2001FP (already have)

I actually bought a ATI x800XL via CompUSA business for $267 after tax and shipping, but I'm starting to have second thoughts if I should just return it and get a 6600GT instead. I'm not a heavy gamer by any means. Maybe a few hours a week at most. I checked Tom's VGA charts and surprisingly enough, the 6600GT wasn't all that much lower than the x800XL, which I initially thought was a much nicer card.

Now, I see there's a Leadtek 6600GT (which I think was Anand's recommended brand) for $146 after rebates, which is roughly a $120 difference in the price of the cards. Seeing as how I'm a very casual gamer, what would you do?

 

[isekii]

lol
I would've swapped with you (and still would swap with you if you want + cash)
Decided to get an X800 XL while my 6600GT is being RMA'd
my 6600GT is XFX dual dvi PCI-E. with warranty left. 1.6 years left

Got to snag a x800 xl for 240 shipped from another member.

 

[Amplifier]

Get a X800XL. I love my GT but the XL is more powerful.

 

[amheck]

So you think the x800XL will give a lot more useful life, versus the 6600GT? If I could say I'd get an extra year out of it, then I could be happy and say it'd be worth it. But we're talking almost double the price here. I've NEVER really played with AA and AF, so I'm certainly happy without them. In fact, I was using a GF2 Ultra up until that died several months ago. Granted, I wouldn't have been able to play HL2 like I can now, but I was happy with the graphics it was giving me.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: amheck
So you think the x800XL will give a lot more useful life, versus the 6600GT? If I could say I'd get an extra year out of it, then I could be happy and say it'd be worth it. But we're talking almost double the price here. I've NEVER really played with AA and AF, so I'm certainly happy without them. In fact, I was using a GF2 Ultra up until that died several months ago. Granted, I wouldn't have been able to play HL2 like I can now, but I was happy with the graphics it was giving me.

I was playing HL2 with the 6600GT at 1600x1050 res with high detail without any issues. Not too sure about AA and AF tho.

 

[WA261]

XL will best the GT. You will get more life out of it.

 

[Avalon]

If you're only a casual gamer, I'd just save my money and get the 6600GT. The 6600GT will be more than enough.

 

[VIAN]

XMS ram is only good if you are overclocking, just a reminder. Other than that it is a waste of money.

I would keep the X800XL for future casual gaming. Depending on how long you decide to keep your PC for, or not switch video cards. Especially to support a high resolution that is required for the 2001fp. The 6600GT is slower, especially at that resolution. Even if the 6600GT can handle resolutions high enough today - what the 6600GT can't handle tomorrow the XL will.