Video card recommendation

[NoTowelLint]

I'm looking to purchase a Samsung 173P monitor along with a AGP new video card that is capable of DVI connection. My gaming interests are typically games like Rise of Nations and Warhammer Dawn of War. Money isn't so much of an issue. I mean, if I felt the need I could spend a healthy chunk on a video card. However, since I don't play FPS games I don't want buy more than I need if I'm not going to benefit from it based on what I play. What do you recommend?

My system:
P4 2.80GHz
1.5GB RAM
GeForce4 MX 440 64MB

 

[ichbingottderliebe]

never heard of those games lol but id suggest a 6800gt

and if all it has is a vga output check to see if it has a dvi adapter in the box before u buy it

 

[shade]

if money ain't a thang for u. get the 6800 ultra.

 

[tranCendenZ]

GeForce 6800 128mb ~$250ish

6800GT is best value for money but its a lot of cash ($399) and the 6800nu will do you just fine for RTS games.

 

[NoTowelLint]

Those games are strategy games (similar to Age of Empires and Starcraft in terms of gameplay...but higher end in terms of graphics for a strategy game)

With games like those, how much of a difference am I going to see between the 6600 or 9800 pro and lower cards like 9600?

 

[ichbingottderliebe]

Those games are strategy games (similar to Age of Empires and Starcraft in terms of gameplay...but higher end in terms of graphics for a strategy game)

With games like those, how much of a difference am I going to see between the 6600 or 9800 pro and lower cards like 9600?

i dont play those type of games lol...but theres tons of enemys on the screen at once right?? if so u probaly want 256mb and i guess the 6600 is a tiny bit faster then the 9800 ..

 

[xSyzygy666x]

quite a difference

 

[scout007]

9800PRO used to run my DoW ok.... that is until I got my 6800 GT

 

[NoTowelLint]

so the 6600 256MB 128-bit is $140 and the 9800pro 128MB 256-bit is $235. Video cards are admittedly not my strong point so what does the extra $95 get me? Is the lower memory irrelevant on the 9800pro?

 

[shade]

RTS games are not GPU intensive. i play wacraft3 TFT and have played starcraft brood war. it really doesn't make a difference seriously. i had a gf4 mx440 playin war3 tft fine with all settings up with no lag really. if ur only planning on playing RTS, then u really don't need a upgrade. maybe a 9600 pro or something low end will do u just fine. but if u plan to play games like HL2 or Doom3 or games that run off that engine. then u might want to get a 6600+ series card or a x600+ card. even a 9800 pro should do.