Thinking about upgrading from a Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB video card

[Link19]

I'm thinking about upgrading my video card in my current system. I currently have a Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB video card. It has been a very reliable video card, but after it has been almost two years since I built this system, I am considering an upgrade. I don't want to spend a ton just to get the latest and greatest video card for my existing system, but I want something that would give a solid performance boost over the Radeon 9800 Pro.

I was thinking about the NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT video card? I am looking to spend around $200.00, and no more than $250.00. Are there any video cards worth upgrading to around that price range that will give me a significant performance increase in games over the Radeon 9800 Pro I have now?

My system specs are as follows:

-Pentium 4 3.0GHz Northwood core overclocked to 3.23GHz (215*15) for effective 860MHz FSB

-2*512MB DIMMs of Corsair PC3200 XMS RAM in dual channel config for 1GB total system RAM (overclocked the same 215MHz with the rest of the system with AGP/PCI bus locked at a fixed 66/33MHz)

System runs perfectly stable and cool enough with the mild overclock I did.

Any suggestions on if it would be worth it to upgrade my existing Radein 9800 Pro video card to something better for around that price range?

 

[christopherzombie]

Go with a XFX 6800 for $234.00 on newegg. It'll be quicker than the 9800pro, plus it has 256bit memory and you may be able to unlock all 16 pixelpipes. The newegg reviews make it sound like the softmod has been pretty successful with this card. The 6600gt is a good card, but it still only has 8 pixelpipes and 128bit memory.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I wouldn't upgrade to a 6600gt. It's faster, but not worth it unless you're going to get a significant amount from selling your 9800pro.

This XFX 6600gt is a good deal at $158 after rebate if you end up deciding you want to go for a 6600gt anyway.

I think the 6800nu is like christopherzombie suggested is the least you should be upgrading too.

 

[SomeDude22]

X800 XL AGP 8x

this card is the best buy at its price for 320 dollars

it has sixteen pipes and performs very well compared to more expensive 6800GT or X800 XT

if you can shell out the cash for it that is


if you cant spend 320 dollars get a 6800 vanilla card like christopherzombie recomened

here some benchmarks showing the cards

 

[Link19]

I took a quick look around and saw that all the GeForce 6600 video cards were only 128-bit and the least expesnive one was 64-bit. The Radeon 9800 Pro is 256-bit. Does that make a big difference for performance and does that mean that the 6600 is actually not as good as the Radeon 9800 Pro? So, it wouldn't be worth upgrading unless I am going to go with a 6800 at minimum? WHat about the memory size on the video card? Will it make a big difference between 128MB and 256MB? I see that the GeForce 6800 on NewEgg is only 128MB? Is it important that I get 256MB to really get a good improvement?

 

[SomeDude22]

nv

 

[bamacre]

If you keep buying mediocre cards, you'll find yourself upgrading every year. I agree, go with the X800 XL.

Think about it like this....

Situation #1 - You pay $200 for a card now, and buy a better $200 card in 12 months. You spent $400.
Situation #2 - You pay $400 for a card now, and won't need to buy a card in 12 months. You spent $400.

The difference is you were able to play with the $400 card for the whole 24 months in situation #2, while in situation #1 you had to use a mediocre card for the first 12 months before getting the nicer card.

 

[Link19]

Is the Radeon X800 XL better than the best NVIDIA video card? Will I be ok with an ATI video card if I am to consider installing Linux as well as Windows on my rig? Because I've heard that ATI drivers are a fuss with Linux?

 

[christopherzombie]

Originally posted by: Link19
I am going to go with a 6800 at minimum? WHat about the memory size on the video card? Will it make a big difference between 128MB and 256MB? I see that the GeForce 6800 on NewEgg is only 128MB? Is it important that I get 256MB to really get a good improvement?

It's a good idea to skip the 128-bit cards. And with a budget of $250, the 6800nu is your best choice. 128MB vs 256MB will make a difference in some games. But if you want a current-generation 256MB/256-bit card, you'll have to put down at least $300. And the X800XL AGP is your best choice here. You may be able to find a refurbished an X800pro VIVO for under $275.

 

[fishmonger12]

i would think a 6800gt would be better when it came to agp cards... isn't the agp 6800gt around 320$ as well?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Link19
Is the Radeon X800 XL better than the best NVIDIA video card? Will I be ok with an ATI video card if I am to consider installing Linux as well as Windows on my rig? Because I've heard that ATI drivers are a fuss with Linux?

The X800XL is a great midrange card. The X850XTPE I'd say is a good candidate for the best single card out there and I would say you could argue it's better than the best NVIDIA card.

The XL isn't here by a long shot, but it's a very competative card and offers great performance for you dollar.

Did you see the benchmarks that SomeDude22 posted? That should give you a good indication of how it performs compared to the competition.

 

[Creig]

Since you're sticking with your current AGP motherboard, the best upgrade option for you is a 6800GT. I realize that it's a bit more than you wanted to spend, but a 6600GT is not all that much faster than your current 9800 Pro. An X800XL, while a good deal for PCI-E at $270, is currently sitting around $320 for an AGP model which is the same territory as the 6800GT. And if offered an X800XL or 6800GT at the same price, I (and I believe most others) would choose the 6800GT.

A 256 bit memory path over a 128 bit makes a much bigger difference than a 256mb card over a 128mb. Although we are now starting to see games take advantage of the larger 256mb cards, so I would opt for that since you're upgrading anyhow.

If you can't afford a 6800GT right now, I suggest you hang onto your 9800 Pro and save your money until you can or pick up an X800XL AGP when the price drops to that of its PCI-E counterpart ($270). Both cards are nearly equivalent in terms of performance.

 

[christopherzombie]

Originally posted by: Link19
Is the Radeon X800 XL better than the best NVIDIA video card? Will I be ok with an ATI video card if I am to consider installing Linux as well as Windows on my rig? Because I've heard that ATI drivers are a fuss with Linux?

1) The X800XL is better than the X800pro and 6800nu, but not the 6800GT or 6800Ultra.

2) The latest distro of Mandrake/Mandriva will support the X800XL. But nVidia does have better Linux support. I use Mandrake 10.1 with full 3D support for my 6800Ultra.
...and the penguin sledding game KICKS A$$!
Just kidding, it still sucks.

 

[christopherzombie]

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
i would think a 6800gt would be better when it came to agp cards... isn't the agp 6800gt around 320$ as well?

Do you have a link to a $320 256MB 6800GT AGP? Don't include the Asus 9999GT 128MB.

 

[SomeDude22]

heres one for 338

 

[christopherzombie]

Leadtek 6800GT AGP for $338

Nice find. I didn't know the prices dropped that much.

 

[bamacre]

Yup, if you want to run Linux as well as windows, I'd go with an Nvidia, and splurge for the 6800 GT. 6800 Vanilla over the 6600GT.

 

[hans030390]

get a leadtek 6800gt.

 

[Pete]

Yeah, I'd look for nothing less than a 6800. That Leadtek 6800GT looks good. You could also look into this refurb Leadtek 6800, $208 @ NewEgg. It's still a good deal compared to a $340 6800GT, it'll be faster than a 6600GT (and should be noticably faster than your 9800P), and the cooler should be quiet (certainly quieter than that on the $160 XFX).

You're taking a chance buying a refurb, but all it'll cost you is a little time and money if you have to return it. Then you can just go all out for the 6800GT.

 

[RussianSensation]

1. Sell 9800Pro and get choice #1 for AGP 6800GT for $340 or #2 X800XL for $330.
2. If you cannot sell and cannot afford to get cards in 1, use the current card until new generation of cards comes out and you can afford the cards in 1 for cheaper, or you save enough money to buy one of the new generation cards.

 

[gobucks]

uh, even though the 6600GT is 128-bit, it's also running with extremely fast 1GHz GDDR3, so that helps it in the memory bandwidth department. The 6600GT is faster than the 9800 Pro in just about any area. Nonetheless, the performance advantage is not wortht it. You're looking at like a 10-15% advantage, maybe. If you were deciding between buying a 6600GT and a 9800 Pro, I'd say 6600GT with no hesitation. But spending $200 for an extra 15% is pretty pointless. The same goes for the 6800. The performance advantage may be like 20% rather than 10-15%, but the cost of admission goes up to almost $300, making it an even worse upgrade. Besides, in a month or two, R520 and G70 will be out, and you'll likely have sub-$200 cards with 12-16 pipelines and either a 256-bit bus or 128-bit 1.4-2.0GHz GDDR4, meaning you'll likely be able to get 6800GT/X800XL level performance for the price you're looking at. At that point, you're looking at double the performance for $200, which is a much better deal.