Which card to buy?

[rztrnc]

I'm looking to buy a new graphic card. I don't know which model/card to choose and all the choices confuse me. The price range is $150-$300. Preferably $150-$200. After some reading, I believe geforce 6600gt might be right for me or 9800pro. Are these the best choices for my budget? The geforce 5xxx series and radeon series quite confuse me. I think a little cheaper (and yet current) might be 5900 or 9600, am I correct? Which card do you suggest? It's mostly for gaming. I'd like to play racing games etc and some FPS. I don't really expect to get great results from the card for doom 3 or half-life 2 for my budget. Maybe just play the demos for a few hours (I believe they require very high end cards?) And finally (maybe a stupid question) which is better, ati or nvidia? Thanks for any info!

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I need an AGP card (4x slot).
EDIT: What do you think about x700 xt (and in comparision to 6600 gt)? And what about the price range of 150?

 

[Cheesetogo]

You might want to look at this thread here: The "what video card should I choose for xxx dollars?" thread

 

[Munky]

Forget about the 5xxx series. The 6600gt is the best card for <$200, the 9800p is good too.

 

[imported_Kensai]

The 6600GT will crush the 9800Pro in everything.

 

[keeleysam]

AGP, get an MSI 6600GT. Best cooling and quiet too... Also has a good bundle.
PCI-E, same thing.

 

[Rike]

6600GT:thumbsup: You'll be happy.

 

[rztrnc]

OK, thanks for all the replies! BTW, I think my post suggested I only wanted to choose between 6600gt or 9800pro. If you have some others in mind please suggest me. And any other info will also be appreciated. Once again, thank you.

 

[ddogg]

6600GT anyday over the 9800pro. the GT beats the 9800pro in all games even in games where ATI is heavily favored such as half-life2. so i would take the 6600GT. u can search for a used 9700/9800pro for under $100. only then getting one of those would be worth it.
if ur looking at 200 - 300 the x800XL is there for around 270 - 280, but i heard u can find some 6800GTs for around 270 on rebate. if u can find any GTs for under 300 grab those!!
the x800(nonpro or xl) is available for 245 but i feel its not worth the price when u can get a much higher performing card for a few more bucks

 

[hans030390]

god, if you can get a 6800gt for less than 300, don't get an x800xl!!! those don't even have shader model 3.0 (which 6xxx cards do)

I would just get a 6600gt...you can play doom3 and half life 2 really really well with those (assuming your system is decent). Get leadtek (best quality)

 

[rztrnc]

What do you think about x700 xt (and when compared to 6600gt)? And what about the price range of 150 (I'm not decided on the budget yet :/ )

 

[yadda]

You need to decide on a budget.

I'll second the 6600GT. My 9800 Pro died and I am now using a 6600 GT from XFX and I love it.

Y

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: rztrnc
What do you think about x700 xt (and when compared to 6600gt)? And what about the price range of 150 (I'm not decided on the budget yet :/ )

u dont get any X700XT. it was just a paper launch that ATI later cancelled. for under $200 6600GT is the best and most powerful GPU period. u can get a 6600GT for ~160 now which should suit ur budget

 

[musgrattios]

I, too second, or maybe third an XFX 6600 GT. Mine's awesome.

 

[UzairH]

Get a Leadtek or eVGA 6600 GT. The 6600 GT rocks, best mid-range card out there now. It kicks the 9800 Pro/XT in every game, and slaughters them in Doom 3. Considering the upcoming games based on the Doom 3 engine (Quake 4, RTCW 2,..), getting the 6600 GT is a no-brainer.

 

[will889]

...except HL2. That's the only game that the 6600GT is glaringly slow with. Other than that the 6600GT is tops. 9700 Pro keeps up with a 6600Gt and HL2.

 

[exar333]

_________________________________________________
god, if you can get a 6800gt for less than 300, don't get an x800xl!!! those don't even have shader model 3.0 (which 6xxx cards do)

_________________________________________________

that shader model 3.0 means jack...show me some real apps that matter for it...if your spending less than 200$, dont wory about sm 3.0 or not....if it is a "big" deal, which it wont be...then upgrade later...maybe shader model 4.3 will be out by then...

*wink*

 

[will889]

I agree. by the time SM 3.0 actually makes a difference new shaders will be out and new cards.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: Rike
6600GT:thumbsup: You'll be happy.

 

[bradyapba]

If your budget is $200, you should upgrade from the 6600GT, to a 6800 for $200... more pipes more shaders, faster interface, and the chance to unlock more pipes more shaders, and nice Oc'ers. YMMV, but for your price range 150-200, the 6800 is the way to go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150068

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: hans030390
god, if you can get a 6800gt for less than 300, don't get an x800xl!!! those don't even have shader model 3.0 (which 6xxx cards do)

I would just get a 6600gt...you can play doom3 and half life 2 really really well with those (assuming your system is decent). Get leadtek (best quality)

Truth. D3 and HL2 run fine with everything cranked at 12x10 with some AA/AF to boot.

The 6600GT is plenty of card to tide you over for a while. I plan to keep mine until the end of the year and then start looking at G70 and R520 (most likely G70, as I'd like to go SLI).

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: will889
...except HL2. That's the only game that the 6600GT is glaringly slow with. Other than that the 6600GT is tops. 9700 Pro keeps up with a 6600Gt and HL2.

You're smoking some good cheeba right?

Go here:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2278&p=3

The 9700 Pro is over 20 FPS slower than the 6600GT in Half-Life 2 in every test except one, where it's 6 FPS slower. 9700 Pro doesn't keep up with a 6600GT anywhere.

 

[will889]

Hmm. That is interesting. Let it be the last time i take the word of a friend. Shoulda looked at the benches myself anyway like i normally do. Not only that but apparetnly the 6600GT keeps up with the 6800NU and bests it in a few places. I will note that i saw differnt benchmarks elesewhere but anands i trust much more and everyone seems to really like the 6600GT. I have a 6800Gt and it flat out pwns HL2 ... so .... the must be very good.

BTW is have a AXP HTPC with a R9700P that also runs HL2 extremely well but only up to 1280x960 With 2X Ansi. 38-52. 43 average. 102 in closed spaces and dark places. 95 'ish on walls. But FarCry pwns the AXP rig hehe. it be too much for da lil pc even at 1024x768. 6800Gt makes er sing though on 3400+A64 12-10.

 

[shimsham]

you should be able to pick a 6800 for that much or less in fs/ft if you dont mind going used.

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: will889
...except HL2. That's the only game that the 6600GT is glaringly slow with. Other than that the 6600GT is tops. 9700 Pro keeps up with a 6600Gt and HL2.

geez...another crackhead who hasnt done any research!! lol atleast hes not as dumb as another guy on another post who claimed the X850XTPE stomps the 6800U in SLI.

 

[will889]

haha. i'm more udumicated than you would think. i own and run a shop in the dfw area. i i do a hell of alot of tech work from extremely advanced server procurement to gaming pc's, once in a while i miss a benchmark or two.