What is the cheapest mid-level AGP card that will last me a while?

[BUrassler]

Ok guys, I know that everyone is saying to go with the 6600GT as the best bang for the buck card, but I dont really need the "best bang." (as scary as that sounds!) I do not upgrade very often and only game a little. So I am considering a few different cards and would like everyone's input and would also like a few questions answered if it is not too much trouble.
Cards being considered: needs to be AGP
6200 (im not sure if they make this in AGP?)
6600
6600GT
and 9800pro

Questions:
What is the difference between OpenGL 1.5 and 2.0?
What is the usefulness of having HDTV output from the card?

Thanks!!

EDITED to include my AGP needs

 

[cornelp]

Originally posted by: BUrassler
Ok guys, I know that everyone is saying to go with the 6600GT as the best bang for the buck card, but I dont really need the "best bang." (as scary as that sounds!) I do not upgrade very often and only game a little. So I am considering a few different cards and would like everyone's input and would also like a few questions answered if it is not too much trouble.
Cards being considered:
6200 (im not sure if they make this in AGP?)
6600
6600GT
and 9800pro

Questions:
What is the difference between OpenGL 1.5 and 2.0?
What is the usefulness of having HDTV output from the card?

Thanks!!

This is what I got a few days ago, and I am very very happy with it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-213&depa=0

The only thing its PCI-E, and I am not sure if U want AGP or PCI-E. The card very good, I play a few games on that system (have 2 systems), and 2D stuff works very good. Its got 256 MB so it will support quite good 3D Rendering Software, windows runs good on it, Video plays very well, and the prices are not that bad, consider for this type of card being below $150.
Winamp, Power DVD, UT2K4, Bryce, Daz Studio, Poser 5.0, Sage TV 2.1 all run very well and the rendering software gives me good quality. I upgraded from an ATI 9700 Pro, and very happy with it.

Just my opinion...

 

[2Xtreme21]

The 256mb does nothing for the 6600 vanilla. :\ Go for the 6600GT.. best bang for the buck card out there and it will last you quite a long time.

 

[rbV5]

but I dont really need the "best bang."

You do need the best bang for 'your' buck though, name your budget, and you'll get good advice.

 

[BUrassler]

Obviosly, I want to spend as little as possible, while still giving me everything I need.
I would really like to know what people use the HDTV out for and which cards come with it. Also if there is a difference in the openGL versions.
I have a 19"LCD with native res. 1280x1040, so I just need something powerful enough to play new games at a pretty good level on my monitor, good with DVDs, good with my TV input from PVR-250, and include as many features as posiible that will get me by for a few years hopefully.

If I have too I will go up to spending the $185 or so required to get the 6600gt, but I would much rather spend $110 if I can on a 6200 if it will do all those things for me.

 

[Munky]

If the 6600gt is too expensive, then get a radeon 9800 or 9800pro. Look in the FS/FT forum for some good deals. As for OpenGL 2.0, there's not as much difference as it may seem, and not for the end user anyway. I already mentioned it in some other post, but a lot of the changes are targeted towards developers, and mostly involve making ARB extensions into standard features, addidng support for point sprites, and 2-sided stencil buffer. All DX9 era cards already have most if not all the functionality in hardware.

 

[rbV5]

People use HDTV out (YPbPr) to connect to high definition or sometimes SDTV sets with that type of connection. I use it to connect to my Widescreen Display for up to 1080i resolution support. ATI AIW 97/9800pro have it natively, as well as most if not all X8xx series cards, and some of the lesser X7xx and perhaps some X6/X3 cards. For Nvidia, some 6600(GT) and maybe 62xx cards, no 68xx cards that I'm aware of (maybe now though) you'll have to check.

If not for gaming, one of the lesser 6600 or maybe even 6200 models would work, however, with gaming in the mix, especially new games, nothing less than 6600GT or 9700pro should probably be considered, and they won't be tigers for a couple years unless you're talking games you already have. Of course that also depends on the rig its getting put into, the games you play and the resolution you'll play in.

 

[BUrassler]

Here is my system:
AMD Athlon64 3000+
Epox 8KDA3J nForce3-250
Mushkin 1 Gig Special 2-2-2
VIDEO CARD HERE
Seagate 160GB SATA
PCP&C 425 watt
Lite-on DVDRW
Hauppauge PVR-250
Chaintech AV-710
CTX 19" LCD
XP Home SP2

Can anyone give me any more help on what might be my best choice?!