Shopping for a budget video card

[MrSpock53]

I'm looking for a budget AGP video card to buy my brother for Christmas. I have $150 shipped to spend. I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck. Wondering if a ATI 9800 pro or Nvidia 6600GT are the way to go? I'd appreciate any suggestions before its too late to order for xmas?

 

[Sunrise089]

6600GT

 

[Termie]

There's a great deal on the MSI x800 128MB at a few stores right now (zipzoomfly, newegg). With rebate about $110. That should about equal a 6600GT for a lot less.

EDIT: Sorry - it's pci. Oops! 6600gt is pretty much your best and only option for AGP now.

 

[zagood]

6600GT.

I found my 6800NU for $150 after rebate, so you might get lucky on that. Currently around $175.

Wait a few days...the 6800GS is coming out, and that should lower the price of 6800NU's.

-z

 

[Sunrise089]

6800GS has been available for several weeks if I am not mistaken.

 

[Allio]

Not in AGP.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Wait a few days...the 6800GS is coming out, and that should lower the price of 6800NU's.

Since NVidia discontinued all 6800's not in the "GS" format, availability will only decline... supply and demand will actually INCREASE the cost of the 6800NU if anything, I seriously doubt you'll see these cards get cheaper as they become harder to find. Anyone seen a FX5900U for $100 bucks lately? Performance doesn't equal cost... supply and demand do... once the supply dries up, prices tend to increase. Current 6800U's and 6800GT's seem to be increasing in cost lately (costing more then 7800's) due to scarcity... don't expect the 6800NU to tumble now that it's discontinued.

The only thing that may decrease in price (if anything does) once the AGP 6800GS debuts might be the 6600GT... but to be honest, since the 6800GS is replacing ALL 6800 cards, it is filling-in a large price-point in the NVidia line-up, so expect all other cards to stay in their same price-range.

 

[PingSpike]

The 6600gt's seem to have had some really good deals lately, or rather they have gone down in price somewhat. Newegg had those ones for $100AR awhile back, which is a pretty solid deal if you ask me.

 

[Zap]

I got in on the 6600GT for $100AR at Newegg. They had both PCIe and AGP for same price. 3DMark05 went up from around 2600 to 3600 in my wife's computer. Her previous card was a 6800LE (faulty pipes so ran at default 8). WoW should be more enjoyable for her now on her 20" widescreen LCD at full resolution.

 

[hans030390]

6600gt, or a 6800nu if you can find it (unlock some pipes)

 

[Eureka]

6600GT is pretty much the best deal for that price range...

Norm

 

[MrSpock53]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I decided to go with the 6600 GT from www.eWiz.com for $146.

Merry Christmas :gift:

 

[impemonk]

Have fun with that 6600GT. Treat it well and it will be with you for E-T-E-R-N-I-T-Y!?