Recommend me a card please

[Cfour]

I have a DFI Lanparty NF4, so technically have the SLI capability... but is that worth it? I play mainly WoW with some Quake 4 but want some wiggle room for newer games when they come out. I currently have a 6600GT. Want to budget $100-$150 right now. Two DVI slots would be nice as I plan to go dual monitors soon. Any suggestions?

 

[lyssword]

one word: 1950pro or 7900gs (like 10% less perf, but runs cooler)
either of those cards will be bout 4x faster than your 6600gt

 

[Cheex]

That is quite a lot more than "one word" but anyway, I agree with lyssword.

 

[Cfour]

So the ATI is a tad faster but the GeForce runs cooler? Any other reason to lean one way or the other? They both seem right in my price range. Also any major difference between 512mb and 256mb?

Thanks!

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: Cfour
So the ATI is a tad faster but the GeForce runs cooler? Any other reason to lean one way or the other? They both seem right in my price range. Also any major difference between 512mb and 256mb?

Thanks!

As far as I know, 256 and 512 very similar but at above 1680x1050 512mb *might be faster few % points.
Geforce = more texture oriented, like mmo's, quake4
Ati = more pixel power, better for pixel-shader based games which are newer games.

 

[jackace]

So for WoW would you say the Geforce card would be a better option?

 

[Munky]

The 1950 pro is faster in just about any game than the 7900gs, and has better features. The reason you would want to consider a 7900gs is if you're using a cheap power supply and you don't want it to blow up when you connect a 1950pro. WoW is not a graphically intensive game, so either one of these card will run it without sweat, and both are 3-4x more powerful than a 6600gt.

 

[Binky]

Wow is much more impacted by system memory and CPU speed than the graphics card. If you have less than 2gb of system memory, upgrade that before you spend money on a new graphics card.

 

[RussianSensation]

$120 X1950Pro 256mb
X1950Pro vs. 7900GS

Your other option is $140 passively-cooled 8600GTS

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

This card along with this PSU will be a great combination.

 

[jeffw2767602]

Rage you should be a comedian

 

[bryanW1995]

one word: antidisestablishmentarianism. get the 1950 pro for $120 bro, you won't regret it.

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

Ah shite, the PSU was for 40 bucks after rebate when I posted it. Guess Newegg raised the price.

 

[firewolfsm]

The X1950pro is slightly faster, until you overclock both cards. The 7900GS has more headroom and ends up faster in most cases, while still running cooler.

 

[fujimitsu]

you can grab an x1950xt for $159 if they ever come back in stock, if not I'd go with the 7900 especially if you OC it

 

[xFrugal1ty]

i'd go 79GS, they can be had for even less than 100 used (as low as 85 shipped) and pretty inexpensive otherwise new. then if you want to add another one later on when they're even cheaper you can with that board since it's SLi, not an option with the the ati card

 

[Arkaign]

You know what, if you're sticking with WoW and Quake 4, I'd jump on the FS/FT forums and grab something like this $60 6800GS.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2088477&enterthread=y

Then you could use the extra $$$ for more ram, a faster HDD, or something else. WoW on a 6800GS will fly.

When the next-gen cards come out, you should be able to upgrade to something in the 8800GTS performance range for under $200. But the 6800GS is still a great card for the games you listed.

Being as you're not on a C2D yet, something else to save up for might be a faster mobo/cpu/ram setup.

Just some thoughts