What nVidia video card for HL2?

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jyi786

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Coming from a Geforce FX 5900 @ 450/950, what would be the best nVidia video card that would get me playable frame rates (over 50fps) with at least 2xAA/2xAF @ 1280x960 res playing HL2, with a budget of $200.00 or less?
 
What kind of overall performance increase would I see over my current video card? 2 times? 3 times?
 
ajm786 said:
What kind of overall performance increase would I see over my current video card? 2 times? 3 times?
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The 16 pipeline version is 2X faster than last generation.
 
The 6600GT has 8 pipes, the 6800NU has 12 pipes. Is there any such thing as a 6800 that is just a plain old 6800 (not NU, GT, etc.) that has 16 pipes?
 
ajm786 said:
The 6600GT has 8 pipes, the 6800NU has 12 pipes. Is there any such thing as a 6800 that is just a plain old 6800 (not NU, GT, etc.) that has 16 pipes?
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No. However the 6800 12 pipe (like the BFG I linked above) is much faster than your 5900, and a worthy upgrade.

ie:
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041110/buyers_guide-08.html

twice as fast in Doom3 and more than twice as fast in other games
 
Excellent. Looks like I've found my next video card. Thanks a lot.
 
Im not sure but i dont think going from a 5900oc to 6600gt is worth it. They both have the same amount of 8 pipes. Im not saying it wouldnt be faster, just not the noticable difference you are looking for.I know you said you had 200 to spend, but i would say save your money until you can get a 6800nu. for 50 more bux it will blow that card away ;)
 
xcite said:
Im not sure but i dont think going from a 5900oc to 6600gt. They both have the same amount of 8 pipes. Im not saying it wouldnt be faster, just not the noticable difference you are looking for.I know you said you had 200 to spend, but i would say save your money until you can get a 6800nu. for 50 more bux it will blow that card away ;)
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actually the 5900 only has 4 physical pipes (4x2 for 8 virtual) while the 6600 has true 8 pipes. I also agree tho that 5900 -> 6800nu is a much more worthy upgrade than 5900 -> 6600GT. That being said, in dx9 games even the 6600GT blows the pants off the 5900.
 
tranCendenZ said:
yeh, but imo its worth spending the extra $50 for the 6800nu's extra 4 pipes and 256-bit memory bus.
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That is actually $71 more, plus shipping, plus tax on $71. Closer to $85 more than I paid for my 6600GT. :p
 
BFG actually has a thing going on with a rebate for $60.00 to get the BFG 6800 OC from chumbo.com then send them an old card, if you have one.

Question is, if I changed the HSF from my BFG 5900 back to the original one from the Zalman that I currently have mounted on it, will they accept it?
 
ajm786 said:
Question is, if I changed the HSF from my BFG 5900 back to the original one from the Zalman that I currently have mounted on it, will they accept it?
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Probably... But wouldnt you rather spend the extra $20 at outpost, not have to wait for the rebate from BFG, and then sell your 5900 on ebay for $100+? :)

smarter to go with the outpost price and sell your 5900 on ebay (or here in the marketplace forums)
 
Now there's a thought. :) Unfortunately, it just so happens that I hate eBay so damn much. :rolleyes:

I think I'll maybe try to sell it off here on the [H] forums. That'd probably make it easier.
 
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