Help me with a video card conundrum

B

BlueFlameOut

n00b
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
25
Ok, my daughter is in college along with my son. My son graduates next year and my daugher in approximately 2 1/2 years.

I have a system I built about 3 years ago:

  • 2.8 Ghz P4 (800 Mhz FSB)
  • 2 GB PC3200 Corsair Memory
  • Soyo MB (replacement for ASUS that died in a power outage)
  • tons of storage (850 GB total now)
  • ATI 9800 Pro 256 video card (AGP 4x/8x)
  • Soundblaster 128 Live 5.1
Now for my conundrum. I will be saving to build myself a killer rig when my daughter graduates. But in the interim, I want to replace my video card with something that will give me better frame rates in the current games like Quake 4 at a higher resolution than 640x480 or 800x600.

What should I get? Should I spring for the an X850XT PE or a 6800 Ultra based card?

Spending up to about $350 is not an issue. What would give me the best bang for the buck to last me about 3 years.

Here is my short list right now:

  • X850XT PE
  • 6800 Ultra
  • 6600GT
  • X800XL or equivilent
What is everyone's thoughts on which to buy? This will only be a hold over until my next system. I will be also getting a Dell 20" wide screen monitor soon :D
 
I forgot about that one. Thanks for the reminder. The 6800GT looks good also.

I am leaning towards Nvidia due to shader 3 support and currently Nvidia based video cards support OpenGL better.
 
6800GT or ultra depending on what kind of prices you can find. Should be able to find a used ultra under $250 here or on ebay.
 
why not wait until an X1800XL comes out for around 350 ;) or on Black friday get a X850XT for 199 :)
 
why not go pcie and get you a 7800gt or gtx? ive seen a gt in action and the graphics are insane
 
Because he wants to hold off on a full upgrade for now. Definitely go 6800GT, I'd say. The X850-PE is probably the sheer framerate champ for AGP cards, but it'll cost more and lack some features, as the OP noted. Almost all 6800GTs will easily overclock to Ultra speeds, which allows them to run neck-and-neck with the X850 for less money with more features.
 
to tell u the truth....the x850xt (pe) owns them all easily...my friend has the ultra and when were playing in similar situationscan see how much slower his card is in comparison to my x850xt pe (benched with fraps in real life gaming)....if i were you id get the x850xt (pe) if your going to use this rig for another year...if ur gna upgrade again any time soon like 2-4 months then spend less money...
 
Thank you all for your comments. I am looking at the 6800GT right now as it can be found for under $290 (no counting shipping/tax). The X850XT PE is higher than I want to spend.

Now to convince my wife to let me buy now...
 
I don't know if this is an option for you but if you don't buy new, you can grab a 6800gt in the for sale forum right here for ~230.
 
if your budget is 350, i'd get a 7800GT since they're like 325 and own the market right now as price for performance next gen card.

However, since no good game is coming out that you NEED a 7800GT over a 6800 or x850 for like a year, when even newer cards will be out i would suggest you just get a 6800GT right now.
 
bobthebaker said:
if your budget is 350, i'd get a 7800GT since they're like 325 and own the market right now as price for performance next gen card.

However, since no good game is coming out that you NEED a 7800GT over a 6800 or x850 for like a year, when even newer cards will be out i would suggest you just get a 6800GT right now.
Click to expand...
read his post ...agp mobo ..agp mobo ...agp mobo ..sooo ...agp vidcard... :)




[H]
 
Get a 6800Ultra or GT. If it's Ultra you want, I will be happy to sell you mine in about a week or so for a very reasonable price.
 
Ingonuts13 said:
Get a 6800Ultra or GT. If it's Ultra you want, I will be happy to sell you mine in about a week or so for a very reasonable price.
Click to expand...

Not sure when my wife will let me buy. I'll check into it an PM you if it might be a go...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top