Video Card Confusion

[RealTime]

Now I have a few questions. I am looking into getting a better video card. I am a big fan Nvidia cards. I am looking at the 6800 cards. Now my questions...As I am looking into cards. I noticed the 6800 GT has a minimum of a 300w PSU and the 6600 GT has a 350w minimum PSU. Why is that since the 6800 is the more powerful card?
Now I also noticed that when people are talking about getting a more powerful card above an 6800 GT PCI-E that they say step up to the 6800 GS but then if you have AGP most say get the 6800 GT. Is it just that the AGP 6800 GS is too new that most haven't recommended it or does it out perform the AGP 6800GT?
I am a big fan of the BFG cards but I also see that the eVGA and XFX 6800 GS cards are out and are claiming you can OC the core and memory clock to 400 and 1100. Which if you OCed them to that it would be slightly higher than the BFG OCed by BFG.
Now do you think it is better to get the AGP 6800GT or the 6800GS? Now I am only want to base this on performance not on cost of card. Cost doesn't matter so much. If you say 6800 GS...Which do you think is a better idea to get? The BFG card or the eVGA or XFX cards with the higher OC or should we wait and see what the XFX 6800 GS Extreme will be?
My only real constraint is my PSU. Trying to keep it in the 300w to 350w range. If I have to upgrade that then I will just go any get me a 6800 Ultra.

Thank you in advance for your time.

 

[Ike0069]

6800GT > 6800GS
In PCI-e, they are very close, so the 6800GS is a better deal due to it's significantly lower price.

In AGP however, there is a much bigger performance difference. If the price difference is about $50 or less, I would go with the GT. Anything over that, personally I would go with the GS. Also, eVGA would be my choice of brands.

As for the PSU specs, those are not right. The 6800GT is much more power hungry than a 6600GT. But don't just worry about the total Wattage, but also the +12V amps. Older PSU's are lacking on the +12V line. IMO, you will want at a minium 22A@+12V, and more is better.
Fortron has a 400W PSU for $40, and a 450W PSU for $50. The 400W would be enough, although the 450W will give you more room for OC'ing your CPU and VC.

 

[RealTime]

Oh sorry. The PSU spec I was pulling from was for the BFG cards. I guess I assumed all are the same. Though I just double checked that is what the specs say on their site.
I have never heard of Fortron. They any good? I currently have a Antec 350 PSU. Never had a problem with it.

 

[Ike0069]

Fortron is awesome, but how many +12V amps on your Antec?

 

[imported_Truenofan]

dont bother with a 6800gt, your better off getting a cheaper 7800gt for the price. if you have ~300 you can get a 7800gt.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
dont bother with a 6800gt, your better off getting a cheaper 7800gt for the price. if you have ~300 you can get a 7800gt.

He's looking at AGP cards.

Although I know the OP prefers nVidia, it's hard to deny the amazing value of the $199 AR X850XT at MicroCenter.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Truenofan
dont bother with a 6800gt, your better off getting a cheaper 7800gt for the price. if you have ~300 you can get a 7800gt.

He's looking at AGP cards.

Although I know the OP prefers nVidia, it's hard to deny the amazing value of the $199 AR X850XT at MicroCenter.

Wow!! I hadn't heard of that deal.
OP, that is definitely what you should be getting!

 

[Wolfshanze]

BFG has an AGP 6800GS OC for around $215 at NewEgg.

That's the direction I would go... also, an Antec 350w PSU should be okay to power the card so long as you are not running 10-hard drives or something.

All you need to do is unlock the 4-pipes on the BFG 6800GS and you instantly have a 6800GT... the only differance is you saved a bunch of money.

You were saying you would consider getting a 6800GT or a 6800U for your AGP rig, but unless you already have a store in-mind, good luck finding these cards in stock much of anywhere... they are becoming rarer then hen's teeth as NVidia no longer produces chips for either the 6800GT or 6800U. Partly because of this, AGP 6800GT's and 6800U's are commanding a STEEP price for what they offer.

Penny for pound, you're simply better-off getting an AGP 6800GS card and unlocking the pipes... especially if you like BFG, they offer a great card for a great price at NewEgg.

 

[bladefd]

Have you thought about possibly buying an Asrock mobo and doing a massive upgrade with the pci-express version of the 6800GS, etc? You can use the pci-e slot for future upgrades and I believe the pci-express version of 6800GS is better than AGP. 2 reasons why I think you should do that but again, it will cost for about 420-430 bucks total.. Also, I think eVGA provides the best service compared with XFX and BFG.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
BFG has an AGP 6800GS OC for around $215 at NewEgg.

That's the direction I would go... also, an Antec 350w PSU should be okay to power the card so long as you are not running 10-hard drives or something.

All you need to do is unlock the 4-pipes on the BFG 6800GS and you instantly have a 6800GT... the only differance is you saved a bunch of money.

You were saying you would consider getting a 6800GT or a 6800U for your AGP rig, but unless you already have a store in-mind, good luck finding these cards in stock much of anywhere... they are becoming rarer then hen's teeth as NVidia no longer produces chips for either the 6800GT or 6800U. Partly because of this, AGP 6800GT's and 6800U's are commanding a STEEP price for what they offer.

Penny for pound, you're simply better-off getting an AGP 6800GS card and unlocking the pipes... especially if you like BFG, they offer a great card for a great price at NewEgg.

The X850XT is still faster (and, at MicroCenter, cheaper), and not all 6800GSs are moddable.

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
BFG has an AGP 6800GS OC for around $215 at NewEgg.

That's the direction I would go... also, an Antec 350w PSU should be okay to power the card so long as you are not running 10-hard drives or something.

All you need to do is unlock the 4-pipes on the BFG 6800GS and you instantly have a 6800GT... the only differance is you saved a bunch of money.

You were saying you would consider getting a 6800GT or a 6800U for your AGP rig, but unless you already have a store in-mind, good luck finding these cards in stock much of anywhere... they are becoming rarer then hen's teeth as NVidia no longer produces chips for either the 6800GT or 6800U. Partly because of this, AGP 6800GT's and 6800U's are commanding a STEEP price for what they offer.

Penny for pound, you're simply better-off getting an AGP 6800GS card and unlocking the pipes... especially if you like BFG, they offer a great card for a great price at NewEgg.

my friend got that one in the other day from newegg for $194 Link ... i see it has gone up in price!

that is a great deal on the x850xt though.. the agp x800gto's were that price a couple of weeks ago. maybe the prices are going down to stay?

 

[Mavrick007]

Depending on the system you are using currently (is it an A64, AXP, or P4 system?), your best bet is probably to go with either the 6800GS or the x850XT. These are both decent performers for AGP and the deals right now are great.

If you go with the 6800GS, I would suggest getting the BFG card since you like them and it's clocked higher than the eVGA card out of the box, claims to overclock well, and the price is better.

Edit: I have heard of a rumor about a 7800GS coming out soon (around February) that is supposed to be on AGP, and this may be the last best and fastest AGP card out depending if the price is right

 

[2411]

I orderd the X850XT from Micro Center today and it shipped today also. I was really surprised it shipped today.

 

[alimoalem]

depending on your current card, it might be better to listen to the previous poster about the ASRock mobo. it won't cost $450 as he stated. it'll cost $70 for the mobo, ~$200 for the 6800GS. but then again, there really is no point in your situation since you're not trying to keep your card and upgrade the rest of your system. UNLESS you plan on getting a 7800GT for ~$270. then you might as well just go straight to PCI-Express. any reason you don't want to jump right on to PCI-Express? if you have the money to purchase a 6800 Ultra, you definitely have enough money for at least a 6800GS and a PCI-express mobo

 

[RealTime]

Well the thing is...I don't want to upgrade. I want to keep this system. When the time comes I will take this one and use it has my back up. Then I will build a new machine with all the current bells and whistles I want but for now I am happy with what I got. Just looking to upgrade the video card. When I said I could get a 6800GT I meant ebay. Now yes I do agree that they are very hard to find but not impossible. They looking more and more like the 6800 GS is the way to go. Ok so if I want one how do I know which 6800 GS can be unlocked? How difficult to do? Have you done it or is it more of a guess? If it is possible I would much rather do that.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: RealTime
Well the thing is...I don't want to upgrade. I want to keep this system. When the time comes I will take this one and use it has my back up. Then I will build a new machine with all the current bells and whistles I want but for now I am happy with what I got. Just looking to upgrade the video card. When I said I could get a 6800GT I meant ebay. Now yes I do agree that they are very hard to find but not impossible. They looking more and more like the 6800 GS is the way to go. Ok so if I want one how do I know which 6800 GS can be unlocked? How difficult to do? Have you done it or is it more of a guess? If it is possible I would much rather do that.

No offense but the X850XT still seems like a way better deal to me. It's generally faster than a 6800 Ultra right out of the box, and it's even cheaper than the 6800GS during the current sale at Microcenter. I know you prefer nVidia, but brand loyalty has to have its limits, no?

 

[Skott]

For under $200 I think I would choose the x850XT as well. Can probably overclock it some ontop of that.

 

[RealTime]

It isn't really brand loyalty. I just have always had problems with ATI cards. They are very fickle. I don't like dealing with those headaches.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: RealTime
It isn't really brand loyalty. I just have always had problems with ATI cards. They are very fickle. I don't like dealing with those headaches.

What was the last one you tried? I had always had 3dfx or nVidia cards before I got my 9700 Pro. That card was good to me for more than three years, and my X850XT has also been perfect. If I were willing to upgrade to PCI-E, I'd get a 7800GT, but IMO the X850XT is probably the best available AGP card, and certainly the best value at the Microcenter price.

 

[RealTime]

Recently? That was the one...9700 Pro. I bought it when my moms on-board video decided to give up the ghost. Couldn't get it to install so I swapped it with my brothers Nvidia 5200 and then I couldn't get it to install on his PC either. Ended up putting it on my Aunts PC. My brother didn't mind since that gave it an excuse to buy a 6200. I have had others lock up my system or die on me. :::Knock on wood (my head)::: I have upgraded any Nvidia cards I have ever had before I had problems with them. Even if I got a ATI card for free I would have to think about it before using it. Just my personal feelings on it.
I do agree that the X850XT is a powerful card though. I am now thinking about waiting to see if the 7800 GS will be coming out. So does anyone know for sure if the 6800 GS can be unlocked? If so then how? lol

Again I would like to thank you all for your help and advice.

 

[Broly]

Realtime,
Let me tell you a story.

A girl at this store I buy stuff from had a 9700 Pro
She said it was having problems, and it was near the end of the 9700 and time to introduce the 9800 pro

guess what ATI did?
They let her send the old card in

and sent her a BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX 9800

If you're gonna get athing. X850XT ati-branded, no other way to do it

Also, Nvidia is the King of Current-gen cards, it was safe to say that the 9700 = 5900 ultra, but the 9800 was greater than or equal to the 6800 ULTRA.

Come 7 series, Nvidia's 256 7800 which is like 8 months old was slightly beat by the new x1800xt (which has 512mb)
Then the 512 NVIDIA comes out with slightly higher clockspeeds, wins again, and will probably beat the x1900

Much love.

 

[CKXP]

Originally posted by: Broly
Realtime,
Let me tell you a story.

A girl at this store I buy stuff from had a 9700 Pro
She said it was having problems, and it was near the end of the 9700 and time to introduce the 9800 pro

guess what ATI did?
They let her send the old card in

and sent her a BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX 9800

If you're gonna get athing. X850XT ati-branded, no other way to do it

Also, Nvidia is the King of Current-gen cards, it was safe to say that the 9700 = 5900 ultra, but the 9800 was greater than or equal to the 6800 ULTRA.

Come 7 series, Nvidia's 256 7800 which is like 8 months old was slightly beat by the new x1800xt (which has 512mb)
Then the 512 NVIDIA comes out with slightly higher clockspeeds, wins again, and will probably beat the x1900

Much love.

i must be still half a sleep or something 6600gt->9800pro

 

[rayjayturbo]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Broly
Realtime,
Let me tell you a story.

A girl at this store I buy stuff from had a 9700 Pro
She said it was having problems, and it was near the end of the 9700 and time to introduce the 9800 pro

guess what ATI did?
They let her send the old card in

and sent her a BRAND NEW SEALED IN BOX 9800

If you're gonna get athing. X850XT ati-branded, no other way to do it

Also, Nvidia is the King of Current-gen cards, it was safe to say that the 9700 = 5900 ultra, but the 9800 was greater than or equal to the 6800 ULTRA.

Come 7 series, Nvidia's 256 7800 which is like 8 months old was slightly beat by the new x1800xt (which has 512mb)
Then the 512 NVIDIA comes out with slightly higher clockspeeds, wins again, and will probably beat the x1900

Much love.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



i must be still half a sleep or something 6600gt->9800pro

I must be typing in my sleep.
I replaced a 9800pro with a 6800 ultra. The 6800 ultra is WAY faster. Check out Tom's VGA charts for better info. That being said, I agree you should try the ATI $199 AR X850XT at MicroCenter.

 

[Broly]

oopsie my bad
I forgot the 6 series did well
but the 6 series competition was the x850pe

and they were on par
that was my mistake

 

[RealTime]

Oops...Sorry I didn't see the second page. LOL Life is just crazy these days or maybe just in my mind. lol

Anyway...
Broly: Yes it is cool that they did that with her card. Though I hear that is the same with all cards with a lifetime guarantee. The BFG card I am looking at has that. Now it is not that I dislike ATI cards it is just has always been a hassle when I have used them. They are fickle. They work in some machines and not others. I am not telling people not to use them. I am just saying I prefer not to.

Rayjayturbo: Yes I agree with you that it is a good deal on the X850XT. Though they also have the 6800 GS at around the same price and you can unlock and OC it. Nvidia has been good to me so I don't see a reason to change that now.