Video card suggestions needed

[tazdrummer]

Ok, I have bought Nvidia since back to the TNT.

But lately, I have been considering getting an ATI. Problem is I am not too familiar with any of the cards.

I have a working range of $150. BUT.... if another $25 to $50 would make the differance between night and day, I can wait.

I have been looking into the 9600, the 9600XT, the 9700, the 9800SE.

I was hoping someone on here could offer some suggestions and maybe give some pros and cons.

I don't believe I will be OCing the card and I have never been one of the "I got to get as many frames per second as possible"... as long as it looks good and plays great, I am cool with that.

(PS Half Life 2 is also a considering factor.... )

I have heard that the 9600, 9700, and/or 9800 do great on anti-aliasing.

If anyone could give some links that would be cool.

Thanks in advance

 

[thedarkwolf]

No to the 9800SE and I would skip the 9600 series. If you can find a 9700 withen your price range it will kill the 9600s but most are around $220+. I would start looking for a Nvidia 5900non ultra or SE/XT. The NU version run at 400core and 800-850 memory and the SE/XT run at 400/700 but some of those are shipping with full versions of Call of Duty. HL2 will kick ass when it comes out but Call of Duty is already out and also kicks ass. The SE/XT cards are around $190 and the NU versions are $195-$230 depending on brand and options.

Link to a 5900SE review

 

[McArra]

9700Pro for $195. I don't remenber where it was

 

[LouPoir]

9700 Pro - used here when they are available - for probably around $175 to $180 shipped.

IMHO

Lou

 

[lifeguard1999]

OEM 9700 Non Pro for $182

THG VGA charts

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
OEM 9700 Non Pro for $182

THG VGA charts

Thanks for those links Lifeguard... There is a substantial jump in FPS performance over the 9600XT, and not alot more $$.... I'm bookmarking that!

9600 Pro, 9600 XT and 9700 non-pro are all on my replacement card list for January... (replace my dead ti4200)

 

[VIAN]

9700 Pro, only the XTs such as the 9600 XT and 9800 XT come with free copies of HL2.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: VIAN
9700 Pro, only the XTs such as the 9600 XT and 9800 XT come with free copies of HL2.

If that is true, the 9600XT might be the best "value" then.

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/product.asp?pid=8301&sid=J35CGGRN8H9D9MKE58WA0VAAB6JK8MHC

Doesn't look too bad for $169 shipped.

 

[McArra]

It isn't. Performance with 9700 is much better than 9600XT and you'll need that power to run HL2.

 

[VIAN]

True, I'd take the 9700 Pro, it is way more powerful.

 

[Corporate Thug]

mwave has 9700 pro OEM for ~$200

if you are in the $150 range, 9600 XT would be an excellent choice