Video Card Upgrade

[2411]

I have been driving myself crazy the last 3 weeks trying to decide if I was going to upgrade my whole machine or not. I have a P4 3.2 Norhtwood and a Asus P4C800-E with 1 gig of ram and a ATI 9800XT Video card. I have never O/C this sysem. I have decided to keep it but want to upgrade my Video card. I'm trying to decide if I want a X850XT PE or a BFG 6800G, Looking for good advice. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Matthias99]

I'd suggest reading the numerous other threads asking the same question.

Basically, if you're picking between an X850XT and a 6800GS/GT, the X850XT is faster, but the 6800GS/GT is sometimes cheaper. Benchmarks for these cards are widely available (I might suggest digit-life, since their last roundup had AGP cards in it).

 

[cKGunslinger]

1) It's "nVidia' (and technically, it's ATi)

2) Get whichever card seem to post the best benchmarks scores with the games you plan to play, along with the feature-set you deem important, at the price-point you want to pay.

3) Ignore #1, as that's just me being prickish

 

[Elfear]

Like the other guys have said, the X850XT PE will be noticably faster in most games but the 6800GS will be cheaper.

 

[Munky]

/waits for the mandatory SM3 comment...

 

[Kalessian]

SM3 rules.

 

[2411]

Bump!!

 

[Soccerman06]

Originally posted by: Kalessian
SM3 rules.

Yes it does, but the 6800 series cant muster enough performance to warrent having SM3. It just isnt good enough, and there isnt enough games out to warrent buying a GT/U just because of SM3.

 

[Powermoloch]

6800GS or X850XT/PE. either those two will do nicely.

 

[squirrel dog]

Get the most expensive video card you can afford .

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
Get the most expensive video card you can afford .

lol. like the 512 mb 6800 Ultra @ bestbuy ?

 

[Powermoloch]

Btw...microcenter is having x850xtagp for 249.99 again !!! pretty sweet deal atm

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=217999

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: munky
/waits for the mandatory SM3 comment...

...who me? I'd recommend it, but I can't deny that some of the x800/850 cards have had some nice prices lately.

If you're not going to be upgrading any time soon (couple years) i'd settle with a 6800GS due to shader model 3, but if you'll be upgrading in less than two years, the X850 should be fine for you.

You're definitely missing out on some 3dmark06 though without Sm3, haha. Like that matters anyways.