Video card recommendation?

[algae]

Hi all,
My system specs are A7N8X Deluxe Mb, Athlon 2500+ CPU, I G Dual Channel RAM. My current video card is an ATI Radeon 9600. I haven't done a lot of research yet but I'm hoping you can point me to a decent card where I will notice a difference (Doom 3, Far Cry, Brothers in Arms) and that is at a "sweet spot" price.
Tia for any info.

Gary

 

[Goi]

6600GT is the minimum you should get if you wanna notice a difference. What's your budget though?

 

[algae]

No real dollar value. It's just that, given the rest of my specs, there's no point in spending more than I need to. Make sense?
G.

 

[Fern]

I've a similar rig. I went with a 6800GT for $300 and am VERY happy. I think the Egg is curently offering a Leadtech 6800GT for $289.

Don't worry about CPU bottlenecking. I've run my XP mobile at 2500 and 3200+ speeds, can't see a diff in gaming with D3, Far Cry and HL2. So, no bottleneck probs.

BTW: I upgraded from a 9800p (OC'd to XT speeds) and felt is was a very big upgrade. If you're coming fron a 9600, you'll be impressed with the improvement.

Fern

 

[ddogg]

its a 2500+ dude...it would really bottleneck the system...get a 6600GT instead

 

[keeleysam]

MSI 6600GT

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: ddogg
its a 2500+ dude...it would really bottleneck the system...get a 6600GT instead

No it won't. I ran my 6800GT with the CPU set to specs of a Barton 2500+ then played games and ran benchies. No bottleneck. (Bench scores are a little lower, but there's a cpu test section of the 3D mark benchies. Couldn't tell any diff in actual gaming).

Fern

 

[kurt454]

I vote Radeon X800 agp, just to be different.

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

no, the 6800gt is alot better. the vanilla x800 compares to the 6800nu. but x800xl or 6800gt, either one will be fine. that cpu will be a bit of a bottleneck, but not much.

 

[Goi]

Well, the CPU is actually quite a big bottleneck, depending on which game you play. Anand's "Doom 3 CPU battlegrounds" compares the Socket 754 sempron vs the Socket A one(basically a A64 with less cache vs a rebadged Barton. With a 6800U at 800x600, the difference was significant. Of course, Doom 3 is a very CPU and GPU intensive game. If you play less intensive games then YMMV. Tom's "CPU charts II" also pit various CPUs against one another with a common 6800GT graphics card. The differences were definitely noticeable. The question now is whether a 6800/X800 based card would offer noticeable improvements over a 6600 based card on your system. My guess is that it would, but whether or not it's worth the price differential is up to you to decide. Also consider when your next upgrade would be. If it's further into the future I'd recommend a better card. If it's within the year then perhaps it's wiser to save some money and get the slower one. Either way you probably won't be able to bring whatever card you're buying now to your new system due to the AGP vs PCI-e issue.

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: ddogg
its a 2500+ dude...it would really bottleneck the system...get a 6600GT instead

No it won't. I ran my 6800GT with the CPU set to specs of a Barton 2500+ then played games and ran benchies. No bottleneck. (Bench scores are a little lower, but there's a cpu test section of the 3D mark benchies. Couldn't tell any diff in actual gaming).

Fern

it wont be a huge bottleneck but there will be no doubt

 

[Munky]

The bottleneck issue is way overrated here. Obviously a A64 will be better than a Barton, but if you can afford a 6800gt it will definitely offer a big improvement over the 6600gt even with a Barton cpu. Of course, if you only play at 1024 resolutions on a 17 inch CRT, then a 6800gt is overkill, but if you play at high res with all the eye candy, the 6800gt is the way to go.

 

[neonerd]

If you don't want to spend the money, order a BFG 6800 OC card at zipzoomfly.com for $199 after $30 mail in rebate. Free 2nd day shipping with fed ex too.

 

[leigh6]

Try this link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122206

If you are going 6600gt (and that is my recommendation)