Looking for a video card...

[Karant]

I'm looking for a decent AGP8x ATi for playing games like Battlefield 2, Far Cry, and FEAR. I've been looking at the Sapphire x1600 Pro 512MB AGP8x for $180.00 (Canadian funds), is this a good deal? What nVidia card is this one on par with?

 

[quadnad]

Here's a review of the x1600 pro (I hate the charts these guys use), and they don't seem terribly keen on it. It seems to do fine in some games and then take a nosedive in others. As for an Nvidia equivalent, I'd probably say a 6800nu or 6600GT. Unlocked though, a 6800nu would take a significant lead, but probably more importantly both the 6800nu and 6600GT are far less expensive than the x1600pro. If I were you, I'd buy a 6800gt or 6800nu used off of ebay, and you should be able to get that for around the same amount you'd pay for that x1600pro.

EDIT: tigerdirect.ca has the x1600pro listed for $142 (canadian), and that becomes a better deal because it nears the price of it's nvidia equivalents. I would still suggest that if you're willing to part with ~$150 USD to head over to ebay and buy a used 6800GT or 6800NU as they'll offer more consistent performance overall.

 

[Firebat]

I like the 6800gs AGP. Check my sig.

The X800GTO is not a bad deal ethier, if you can do without sm3.0

 

[Mayhs]

if you can unlock a x800gto it is the best budget card by far