Best Value for around $150?

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Gen.Viper

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 20, 2002
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Hey, I'm putting together a $500 gaming PC for a friend. I want it to be at least decently future proof, so I feel that socket 939, and PCI-Express/SLi are two things which he can't do without. So far, the main performing parts list I'm planning to get is:

AMD Athlon64 3200+
1GB PC3200 RAM
MSI Neo4 Platinum SLi

which leaves about $150 for a video card. I'd love to convince him to throw a tad more money in so I could really push it hardcore with a much nicer graphics card, but he just doesn't have the money. So for about $150, what would you guys say is the best deal right now? From the little research I've done it looks like it's the GeForce 6600 GT, but I'm not sure, hence this thread :D So any ideas folks?
 
6600 GT I guess although that new 6800GS looks killer for only a little more.
 
$500 gaming PC... and he can't do without SLI?

I'd go with a cheaper board and then get a 6800 GS
 
people, show the love for the 6800! Better than the 6600gt, and only a few dollars more. Also, I saw a card calling itself the 6800XT on newegg, but it only has 8 pixel pipelines so i got the 6800 instead.
 
Intel_Hydralisk said:
$500 gaming PC... and he can't do without SLI?

I'd go with a cheaper board and then get a 6800 GS
Click to expand...

+1...I just got my GS last night, and it's a great thing to be able to go back and set resolutions to 1600x1200 AND turn AA on.

I played Dawn of War last night, and just marveled at how smooth it ran with all the detail turned up. I could even get the FEAR demo to run smoothly.

Although, to be honest, I *wish* I had thought about SLI when I bought my board hehehe...at this price, it's not quite as absurd to think about SLI.
 
he wants sli setup for around 500 dollars ? haha good luck and keep in mind going sli needs a very powerful cpu to make them crank out the graphics. best bet is too go single graphics card with a less expensive/powerful cpu
 
I'd have to agree with the 6800gs; It will cost ~50 more, but to be honest if you grab a non-sli motherboard, you should be able to make up the cost. It just doesn't seem to make much sense that the guy wants SLI capabilities if he's only willing to pay $500 to build a gaming computer; obviously he isn't going to jump right out and pick up another video card, and he'll probably instead just buy a new card to replace the one he has now in another couple of years.

Morale of the story: Go for a cheaper motherboard, and pick up a 6800gs.
 
So if I do go with a lesser, non SLi mobo and a 6800gs, what mobo would you reccommend? And does eVGA have any kind of warranty like BFG's? I've heard many good things about eVGA, but that warranty is a pretty big factor.
 
eVGA, IMHO, has the best warranty out of all of nVidia's board partneres. They offer a lifetime warranty, cover oc'ing, and the placement of aftermarket coolers. They cover most stuff as long as you don't inflict physical damage to the pcb.

I two, vote for the 6800GS, one fuck of a nice card. Almost, made me want to save $100 and step down from the 7800GT. Also, if you're going to be getting your friend a GS, get the XFX version, I am pretty sure it ties or beats the 6800GT, with the factory overclocks. Also, XFX offers a lifetime warranty too.
 
$150 = 6600GT (some are $129 after rebate).

I do agree with everyone that the 6800GS is the hot card right now, but if that extra $50-$70 is beer money...... get the 6600GT.

Or skip the fancy SLI board and get a less expensive one slot board.
 
PRIME1 said:
$150 = 6600GT (some are $129 after rebate).

I do agree with everyone that the 6800GS is the hot card right now, but if that extra $50-$70 is beer money...... get the 6600GT.

Or skip the fancy SLI board and get a less expensive one slot board.
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Hehe, well lucky for him he abhors drinking. So I'll probably try for the 6800GS XFX; but any specific mobo I should try for (that's non-SLi?). Figure I'll probably go for an MSI or Asus since I want to make sure I get him a quality mobo, and probably an nForce4, unless you guys have any other suggestions.
 
XFX 6600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150098 $119.99 after $20 rebate

what i strongly recommend ---> Connect3D x800 GTO 256MB (very good chance of unlocking to 16 pipelines and overclocking) http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190533 $166.88 shipped after $15 rebate

and of course the 6800 GS is a good choice (~$213 shipped at monarch w/CoD2).

A SLI motherboard isn't much more expensive than a non-SLI motherboard. I bought the Gigabyte board in my signature for $84.50 (new) from newegg last weekend. It's great for future expansion. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128306 edit: um, i just noticed it's the more expensive MSI SLI board. Yep, he should go with something cheaper and spend more on a video card.
 
There are 2 SLI boards that are cheap that might be worthwile. ABIT KN8 and a Albatron K8.

There are a few others but I would never, ever buy Junkabyte.

If you're just looking for a good 1 slot then you have a ton of options. Put down wjhat you need. To OC or not. SATA 2 or not. Etc, etc,
 
MC FLMJIG said:
There are a few others but I would never, ever buy Junkabyte.
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LOL i'm very happy with mine. I would never buy another BIOSTAR or Chaintech board though. And I say that as a long time ECS board purchaser.
 
Tell him he's retarded for wanting SLI, but especially retarded for thinking he can fit SLI into a $500 budget.

In a nicer fashion, of course. :p

Drop down to an nForce4 Ultra board, and buy a 6800GS.
 
Gen.Viper said:
Hehe, well lucky for him he abhors drinking. So I'll probably try for the 6800GS XFX; but any specific mobo I should try for (that's non-SLi?). Figure I'll probably go for an MSI or Asus since I want to make sure I get him a quality mobo, and probably an nForce4, unless you guys have any other suggestions.
Click to expand...
That sounds pretty good.

I am a huge fan of ASUS boards. However MSI, DFI, Gigabyte and others do have some nice stuff.
 
The Abit KN8 series is probably a good bet. It's pretty cheap all things considered. SLI is only $99 I think. Then you can get the GS.

I liked my Chaintech VNF4/Ultra...good board for $70 ;). That was $100 cheaper than my Neo4 Plat SLI and it OC'd a lot better.
 
I would say 6600GT and for 50 more 6800GS. that's all i got to say!
 
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