Which $250 videocard to buy? (not afraid to bios-flash)

[MichaelD]

Well, it's time to buy a new videocard. The 9800Pro isn't cutting it anymore. Doom3 makes it cry. I've not followed PC hardware for about...six months or so and that's an eternity, so I'm out of the loop.

Budget is about $250 and I'm not biased towards ATI or NVidia. Bang for the buck and 2D image quality is important as I do a lot of Word/Excel/PowerPoint work at home.

Back in The Stone Age, you could buy a 256MB 9800Pro and flash it to an XT; I'm not afraid to do stuff like that, so hit me w/the suggestions.

Fire away, and thanks.

ps
Please guys, don't turn this into a "ATI/NVidia sucks!" thread. I'm not partial to either one.

 

[Koing]

NVidia sucks!

I'd go for 6800GT. Good scores and my friend has one and he likes his.

BUT really it doesn't matter so much when you spend on graphics card now a days as long as you buy it online and from either ATI and NVidia as long as you don't get one of their 'cheaper' lines it will perform well.

2D will be well in your Office stuff. As if it would be duff

Hmmm...but me I'll wait a few Gens and get whatever but I'm not much of a pc gamer.

Koing

 

[Kishan]

for $250, you could get a 6800NU, but since you probably don't want to upgrade again in another year, spend the extra money and get the GT. Nothing beats it in price/performance. Oh, and good to see you outside of ATOT

 

[MercenaryForHire]

6800NU, softmod.

- M4H

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
for $250, you could get a 6800NU, but since you probably don't want to upgrade again in another year, spend the extra money and get the GT. Nothing beats it in price/performance. Oh, and good to see you outside of ATOT

Heh, thanks. I used to post quite a bit outside of OT. In fact, I get on a roll every now and then and will try to help where I can in GH/Networking/CPUs&OCing. OT is a bottomless pit. Hard to stay away, though. Not all my posts were from OT, trust me.

So, the GT is still a strong contender, eh? Better than the X800Pro? What about the X800XT?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
for $250, you could get a 6800NU, but since you probably don't want to upgrade again in another year, spend the extra money and get the GT. Nothing beats it in price/performance. Oh, and good to see you outside of ATOT

Heh, thanks. I used to post quite a bit outside of OT. In fact, I get on a roll every now and then and will try to help where I can in GH/Networking/CPUs&OCing. OT is a bottomless pit. Hard to stay away, though. Not all my posts were from OT, trust me.

So, the GT is still a strong contender, eh? Better than the X800Pro? What about the X800XT?

X800 Pro VIVO + softmod = X800XT.

But a VIVO card will cost you a blodoy fortune to start with - way over the $250 mark. A 6800NU should be obtainable for under $300.

- M4H

 

[Koing]

800XT is more pricey so didn't really consider it for one of your choices.

Koing

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys. I've got some research to do.

 

[jose]

6800GT is the best at that price point, look around for the best deal.

Hey MichaelD, gave up on the Opteron's and going for some LV Xeons ??

Regards,
Jose

 

[apoppin]

Check Hot Deals (religiously and regularly).

The 6800Standard is not that greatr a leap from the 9800p. The 6800GT IS (and also is more expensive).

This one looks INteresting:

*WARM* eVGA 6800 Limited Ed $325;this thing is an underclocked Ultra for almost half the price!!!

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: jose
6800GT is the best at that price point, look around for the best deal.

Hey MichaelD, gave up on the Opteron's and going for some LV Xeons ??

Regards,
Jose

/nods head


Yep, made that decsion awhile ago, but I just got the funding together now. An Opteron rig would've been a $2K investment. This one will come in for less than half of that.

I've had the LV Xeons for almost two months now. :roll: as well as the EPS PS. Tonight I order the mobo.


APOPPIN,
Thanks for the linky. I'll keep my eye on HD.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

6800 softmod is probably your best 250$ option.

 

[Adn4n]

There used to be a BFG 6800 OC for 250. Don't know if that deal is still available. I'm still getting 50 fps in doom3 with my pro.

 

[jose]

MichaelD,

Which mobo ?? Asus NCCH-DL ??

Regards,
Jose

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
6800 softmod is probably your best 250$ option.

where do you find these for $250?

 

[Zero Plasma]

6800GT = nice

 

[Pixle]

Doom...hmmm = Nvidia 6800GT



Pixle.

 

[Kazrath]

You would be better off going with the 6600GT over the standard 6800. Price is about the same.

However I also recommend going with the 6800GT. This card will last a couple years.

 

[Lyfer]

6800GT is way out of your budget, the cheapest is $350 (and thats when its on sale), regular pricing is $400+. Your two best options are a BFG 6800 OC card for $250 or a 6600GT. I would sepend $75 more and try to get the EVGA 6800LE which is a huge steal at $325.

 

[Comparisonman]

Spend a little more money and get the 6800gt, it's a good investment

 

[Comparisonman]

Seems like your best bet is to either do the softmod or get the evga 6800le

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys. Still undecided...I really don't want to spend the money if it's not going to be an appreciable diff over the 9800Pro I've got.

Question on "Softmod." That's NOT a bios flash, correct? Softmod is just overclocking the card, right?

 

[Markfw]

MichaelD, good to hear from you. Been a while The 6800GT is the best value right now, and coming from somebody with an X800pro, believe me. The only game my card is faster than the 6800GT is Far Cry. On Doom3 (which you mentioned) the 6800 GT is faster by quite a bit. But its $400. If you can get a 6800NU for $250 and get it close to the 6800GT, go for it IMO.