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Vid card recommendation

I

imported_dareino

Member
Hi, I am extending the life of my current PC until possibly next summer. I recently upgraded my CPU from a single core AMD 64 +3000 to an AMD 64 x2 3800 which is running great.
I plan on playing some of the latest games so a DX10 card is important. I am looking for a card around $200. Not partial to either mfg, ATI or NVIDIA.

Windows Ultimate 64
AMD 64 X2 3800 /Artic Freezer 64 Pro
Epox 9NPA + Ultra
ATI X800XL 256mb DDR3
2gig 3200 memory
Hitachi Sata II 160gig HDD
NEC Optical drive
Antec 450 watt psu
Antec Sonata II case

thanks
dareino
 
Are you sure buddy? This is the overclocked version...Both Core and memory speeds are way WAY faster than the basic 8600GT's! (normal GPU/RAM speeds for 8600s are 576mhz/750mhz...This one is 675/1000)

This model also has 512MB, rather than the 256MB most 8600's have. It's not an 8800GTX, but for under $200, it should be perfect for DX10 gaming on his rig.
 
I'm sure. Even overclocked to the point of inferno, the 8600GTS is utterly outclassed by 7900/X1950s @ stock. 8600 has 1/3 the stream processors as the 8800GTS, and 1/4 of the 8800GTX/Ultra, and a tiny bus width to boot. Much as I wish it weren't so, the 8600 sucks for gaming (for the $), and there's almost no way to recommend one.

Even with 256mb, this :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102067

Will make the 8600GTS look like a flip book missing half the pages.
 
Another possibility (also faster than 8600GTS), is the $100ish X1950GT. At stock, they're fast, and it's easy to get them beyond X1950Pro speeds, possibly to X1950XT speeds. Bargain!
 
meh, I stand corrected.

Still, the GTS is about the same speed as a 7800GTX which is a big upgrade for him. If he wants DX10 graphics, it's probably still his best choice. 😉
 
Originally posted by: Capitalizt
Are you sure buddy? This is the overclocked version...Both Core and memory speeds are way WAY faster than the basic 8600GT's! (normal GPU/RAM speeds for 8600s are 576mhz/750mhz...This one is 675/1000)

This model also has 512MB, rather than the 256MB most 8600's have. It's not an 8800GTX, but for under $200 it should be perfect for DX10 gaming on his rig..
Click to expand...

Mistake #1: RAM is not everything. Read the posts in the Video Cards forum. You can get 7300GTs with 512MB too, but a 320MB 8800 GTS will kick the living snot out of it.

Mistake #2: A 128-bit memory interface is weak these days. You need 256-bit or more.

Mistake #3: DX10 is not the shiznit. The performance sucks compared to DX9c, even on the fastest cards, and the increase in visual quality is minimal. Few games run DX10 at this point anyway.

Some better suggestions:
X1950 Pro (Make sure your PSU is up to the game.)
X1950 GT

Sorry man, but you need to do a little more reading. You won't find any knowledgeable people on these boards recommending the 8600 series to anyone.

 
Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
Originally posted by: Capitalizt
Are you sure buddy? This is the overclocked version...Both Core and memory speeds are way WAY faster than the basic 8600GT's! (normal GPU/RAM speeds for 8600s are 576mhz/750mhz...This one is 675/1000)

This model also has 512MB, rather than the 256MB most 8600's have. It's not an 8800GTX, but for under $200 it should be perfect for DX10 gaming on his rig..
Click to expand...

Mistake #1: RAM is not everything. Read the posts in the Video Cards forum. You can get 7300GTs with 512MB too, but a 320MB 8800 GTS will kick the living snot out of it.

Mistake #2: A 128-bit memory interface is weak these days. You need 256-bit or more.

Mistake #3: DX10 is not the shiznit. The performance sucks compared to DX9c, even on the fastest cards, and the increase in visual quality is minimal. Few games run DX10 at this point anyway.

Some better suggestions:
X1950 Pro (Make sure your PSU is up to the game.)
X1950 GT

Sorry man, but you need to do a little more reading. You won't find any knowledgeable people on these boards recommending the 8600 series to anyone.
Click to expand...

Ya those are good recommendations, but Ill stick w/the PCI-E flavor .These cards dont come in DX10?
True about the DX10 games but possibly before I make the BIG upgrade some decent DX10 games will be out....also DX10.1 is coming soon I believe.
thanks
 
The 2900GT is coming out soon-10 days or so. I am curious to see how that will perform. Might retail for 199 if i am not mistaken? Wait until it is reviewed to see how the 2900GT performs. Then you can make an educated decision. Just hold out a little longer and it could be worth your while...especially if you want a DX10 card for 200$.
 
Originally posted by: spittledip
The 2900GT is coming out soon-10 days or so. I am curious to see how that will perform. Might retail for 199 if i am not mistaken? Wait until it is reviewed to see how the 2900GT performs. Then you can make an educated decision. Just hold out a little longer and it could be worth your while...especially if you want a DX10 card for 200$.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

A cheap fast option that should hold you for a while would be :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814102034R

O/c it a bit if you want, but even stock it's pretty nice for the $.
 
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: spittledip
The 2900GT is coming out soon-10 days or so. I am curious to see how that will perform. Might retail for 199 if i am not mistaken? Wait until it is reviewed to see how the 2900GT performs. Then you can make an educated decision. Just hold out a little longer and it could be worth your while...especially if you want a DX10 card for 200$.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

A cheap fast option that should hold you for a while would be :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814102034R

O/c it a bit if you want, but even stock it's pretty nice for the $.
Click to expand...

Seconded.

 
I can't remember an article from either Maxium PC or C.P.U. magazine about DX10 is not very fast than DX9 on several benchmarkes.
 
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