What should i get?

[Indred]

I'm looking at upgrading my vid card from a single x300 to some thing better where i can really play COD2 and BF2. I have about 200$ and might be able to convince the wife to let me spend 250$ if i really needed to. But I can't really count on it So I'm looking for the experts for advise. All my sistem specs are in my sig and if its not there then please ask. Thanks as always.

Edit: Would SLI help if I got 2 cards for 150 vs 1 card ???

 

[evolucion8]

Well, you can get a X800 GTO2 and unlock it to perform the same as the X850XT, but if you do not want the hassle to do all that stuff, you may want to give a try to the X850 XT, it can be found somewhere arounds the 250*, but I'm not sure where, or a 6800GS, 7800GS is quite expensive and doesn't offer a performance advantage over the X850XT, so don't even bother.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Well, you can get a X800 GTO2 and unlock it to perform the same as the X850XT, but if you do not want the hassle to do all that stuff, you may want to give a try to the X850 XT, it can be found somewhere arounds the 250*, but I'm not sure where, or a 6800GS, 7800GS is quite expensive and doesn't offer a performance advantage over the X850XT, so don't even bother.

He has a PCI-e mobo, so 7800GS is out as I believe that is only being offered in AGP at the moment.

OP: I would say, for 200 bucks, the X800GTO (if moddable) or a 6800GS. For 250 bucks, you may search FS/FT for a used 7800GT from a reputable trader.
That is probably the best you can do for the dollar amounts you listed.

 

[orangat]

$250 - used 7800GT or new 7800GT with rebate.
$200 - GTO2 or 6800GS

 

[Malladine]

Sound advice ^^^

 

[JPB]

I would agree on the GTO2....

 

[JPB]

Also, keep an eye on the FS/T forums', I just sold a BBA X800 Pro...like new ( 4 month's old ) for $50 and hardware.

 

[Munky]

Ahem...

 

[agathodaimon]

Newegg sells a Sapphire X800GTO2 that comes PRE-UNLOCKED with 16 pipes. The OEM version is $189.99.

It doesn't have the X850XT Bios, but I've read that it doesn't make much of a difference when you flash it.

The 6800GS is a great card for the money too, EVGA and XFX sell some factory overclocked versions which do very well.

 

[SpeedZealot369]

Also get another 512mb stick of ram, look on ebay theyre pretty cheap..
*Edit*
Sli is only worth it when you want EXTREME performance i.e. 2*7800gtx, because one card will always outperform 2 cards that cost half.

 

[aznrice54]

If you can strech your budget, I would consider this - $260 with the instant rebate, $240 after the MIR. I'm pretty sure a 7800GT would outperform an unlocked X800 GTO2, and this eVGA version is factory overclocked (aka better performance in common terms) and has a great company behind it.

 

[Indred]

Thanks every one for your replys.

Originally posted by: munky
Ahem...

I will consider this very much

Originally posted by: aznrice54
If you can strech your budget, I would consider this - $260 with the instant rebate, $240 after the MIR. I'm pretty sure a 7800GT would outperform an unlocked X800 GTO2, and this eVGA version is factory overclocked (aka better performance in common terms) and has a great company behind it.

This sucks to be honest I know about CPUS but jack about Vid cards.

Originally posted by: aznrice54
If you can strech your budget, I would consider this - $260 with the instant rebate, $240 after the MIR. I'm pretty sure a 7800GT would outperform an unlocked X800 GTO2, and this eVGA version is factory overclocked (aka better performance in common terms) and has a great company behind it.

This is intresting but what would the diff be between thoes?

Originally posted by: SpeedZealot369
Also get another 512mb stick of ram, look on ebay theyre pretty cheap..
*Edit*
Sli is only worth it when you want EXTREME performance i.e. 2*7800gtx, because one card will always outperform 2 cards that cost half.

I have two other sticks of ram but I cant get 1T on the ram whith them in there thats a question for a different area...

Also i'm thinking about getting the following games
COD2, FarCry, and BF2 and any other fun game of the sort. If that makes a diff I know that both cards would be able to run the games fine. I was planning on spending the money and switching my system to water cooling should i save the money and spend it on vid card(s)? I feel like such a N00b

 

[Indred]

Any one have any thoughts?

 

[3rdschulz]

hey there, I was on the same budget and I got it down to a MSI geforce 6800GS that overclocks with included software that is covered under warrenty or a HIS Radeon x800gto turbo that also over clocks with included software and is covered under warrenty. I ended up buyin gthe x800gto, and right now there is a 50 dollar mail in rebate on newegg from HIS so it would only be $145! the 6800gs also had a rebate is only like 20 bucks more! the only bad thing is you wont be able to unlock 16 pipes like there talking about above on the x800gto2, but if you dont feel comfertable doing that in the first place or dont care and want to stay on budget those are the cards I got it down to and I picked the one I wanted....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161146

or check out this refurb for only 135 with no mail in rebates!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161146R



heres some reviews on both cards for detailed info on both products and preformance / speeds

http://www.overclockersonline.com/index.php?page=articles&num=314&pnum=1

http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=3&id=1768
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=1238&cid=3&pg=20

 

[jdkick]

If you're looking for a mid-range single card solution, the X800 GTO and GTO2 cards are decent performers, tho they do lack support for eye candy features such as SM3.0... which is finding it's way into more and more games. For that reason, i'd suggest the 6800GS if it's within budget. If not, the 6600GT and X1600XT also perform well for the $$$ and still support SM3.0.

As for SLI, it's not really necessary for most people. In a decent system, such as yours, most mid-range cards these days are capable of holding an average of ~50 FPS at a decent resolution and with the eye candy features turned on. There's not much need for SLI unless you're really an enthusiast or need every last frame.

Just a heads up tho, i'm looking at that Ultra X-Connect power supply and wondering a little. It's rated at 400W but only 16A on a single +12V rail. Trying to put SLI on top of your existing setup could stress things a little. I'd also look at bumping your system memory up with another 512MB DIMM.

 

[LW07]

Get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130265
and this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146545

 

[Indred]

LW07: i like the vid card, nut i'm not sure if i wanna get the ram. I have 2 other sticks of ram to equal 1g total but i can't get 1T settings with 4 sticks. I need to drop a thread in oc fourm and see if there are any new updates or some thing that.

JDKICK: Thanks for the info. Yeah my power supply could most likley use an update/upgrade but i will see I need to get a new PSW for my other computer so i could just upgrade this one and swap them out...

3rdschulz: Very informitave (sp) and thank you very much i am looking foward to my options.

I like the 6800GS because its SLI if i want to add one later and from what i hear its more used then the x800.

 

[OvErHeAtInG]

Originally posted by: Indred
LW07: i like the vid card, nut i'm not sure if i wanna get the ram. I have 2 other sticks of ram to equal 1g total but i can't get 1T settings with 4 sticks. I need to drop a thread in oc fourm and see if there are any new updates or some thing that.

JDKICK: Thanks for the info. Yeah my power supply could most likley use an update/upgrade but i will see I need to get a new PSW for my other computer so i could just upgrade this one and swap them out...

3rdschulz: Very informitave (sp) and thank you very much i am looking foward to my options.

I like the 6800GS because its SLI if i want to add one later and from what i hear its more used then the x800.

Alright, OT: I would go with 1 GB at 2T rather than 512 at 1T, if your games need it (and dthey do if you're playing anything from the last 2 years).

On topic: scrape together $260 and get that 7800GT from Monarch, that's a very good deal (and another $20 MIR!). Otherwise go with a GS or GTO/2, whichever is a better deal at the time. Like others have said, I'd forget about SLI. It's not really an economical upgrade path. Don't worry about the GTO being less popular (if it really is?)

 

[3rdschulz]

the HIS x800gto turbo i showed you is crossfire, same thing as nvidia's SLI only ATI.... for either youll need a compatable motherboard if you plan on running dual cards...
either way it will be cool to see what you end up wth, let us know

 

[Indred]

ok yeah i have a SLI mobo but i don't know if crossfire is the same as SLI. I will be sure and let yall know Thanks again for your help.

 

[LW07]

Crossfire and SLI are NOT the same thing. You can't do crossfire on an SLI motherboard and you can't do SLI on a crossfire motherboard. Since you have an SLI mobo, you'll have to do SLI.

 

[Indred]

do they have some thing like the HIS x800 or the 6800GS have SLI?

 

[kmmatney]

The Sapphire X800GTO2 cards come with 16 pipes now, and with overclocking software. I'm very happy with mine, although the 6800GS wasn't around when I bought mine. You can't go wrong with either one, but since you already have an SLI motherboard, one of the overclocked 6800GS cards is probably the way to go.

 

[3rdschulz]

I dident know you had an SLI mobo. If you plan on keeping the mobo then you can only run dual geforce cards. Crossfire is just ATI's version of SLI but you can only run dual ati cards on crossfire and only run dual nvidia cards on SLI far as I know. If you ever plan on running 2 cards get the 6800gs.... youll need a powerfull power supply for that to I think. If you dont plan on running 2 cards anytime soon then it shouldent effect your choice as far as I am concerned. however I believe the x800gto2 from saphire smokes the 6800gs and the HIS x800gto when its unlocked. I dont know quite as much as some of these other guys, just my 2 cents lol.

 

[jdkick]

If there's a chance that you may go SLI in the future then I wouldn't suggest that you buy an ATI card, otherwise, you'll have to spend even more $$$ down the road to implement a dual GPU solution (Crossfire board + another Crossfile capable ATI card -or- two new SLI capable nVidia cards).

Just go with the 6800GS. It's a very capable single card solution and leaves the SLI door open down the road. Do keep on that power supply tho. And a memory upgrade would be recommended. Just buy another 512MB of what you already have and run them in dual channel.