Need some help buying :)

[Mitch]

Hi. I'm pretty much rebuilding my system from scratch this summer, but I'm pretty stumped on what graphics card to get.

I know I want an ATi card with 256MB on board. It'll be mainly used for games. I've been looking at 9800s and X800s, but not sure which to go for. The card needs to last me about 3 years while I'm at uni, so I've got quite a high budget to make it last.

Any extra features like All-In-Wonder would be nice, but not essential.

The current spec I'm looking at getting (that's relevant) is:
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe "Canterwood" (Socket 478) Motherboard
Intel Pentium 4 "Northwood" 3.2GHz (800FSB) with HT Technology
1 or 1.5GB DDR400 RAM
2 Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 Serial ATA 200GB 8MB Cache
Akasa 460W Active PFC 12cm Blue LED Fan Ultra Quiet PSU - Black Nickel
17" ScanView (Iiyama Exclusive) TFT Silver 1280x1024 0.28mm 14ms
+ (already have an Audigy Platinum)

My budget is around £200 ($365) but can go up to £300 ($545) if it is REALLY necessary...

Any help you can give in choosing would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[edit] I dont really wanna overclock any card i get - not until the warranty expires anyway

 

[diablo111]

If it has to last you 3 years, better get the X800 series...the 9800 pro (allthough an outstanding card) is getting a bit long in the tooth.

You may however want to consider the 6800nu...About a $100+ cheaper than the x800 pro, days faster than the 9800 pro and almost as fast as the x800.

 

[Mitch]

*bump?*

 

[Maxx]

X800 XT, or X800 Pro VIVO.

 

[Relo@d]

if it's got to go 3 years, X800 series all the way....

 

[Mitch]

any particular brand matter at all? They all seem more expensive here than in the states hehe.

I figured an Pro VIVO would be a good idea since I read about how easy it is to enable the 16 pipelines.

 

[jhtevans]

As you can see from my sig, I already have a 9800 pro and yes, it is showing it's age in newer games like Far Cry and Doom 3, both of which bring it to its knees. If you want it to last for a while, go for the x800xt or vivo pro -- wait a few weeks and you'll probably actually be able to buy one without getting ripped off big-time.

I have a 6800 Ultra on pre-order from eVGA that's going to ship in 4 days. I would cancel it in a heartbeat if I could get a hold of an XT without paying over MSRP - I've been calling the local BB every day asking on their stock status (they have a spot on the shelf, but no card)....

oh well