Author Topic: Best card for $160-ish? (Read 305 times)

Krusty · « **on:** August 28, 2006, 02:39:45 PM »

I've noticed the prices usually jump from $160 to 300 for video cards, with $300 being the top of the line, and $160 being the next best. I've noticed some nice ones, like a Ge6800 GT or GTS or something (I don't know what they all stand for) for about $160 and it looks pretty good. There's also an X800 and/or X850 for about the same (the x800 is about $30 less than the x850).

Seems that the ATI cards might have an edge in performance, pipelines, and clock speeds, but only a slim one (in this price range). Then on the other hand Nvidia doesn't have all the driver problems.

So, general opinions, $100-$160 price range? Qualifying factor is AGP 4x/8x, anything else goes (prefer at least 1 DVI out)

Sundowner · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2006, 10:28:51 PM »

Pricewatch.com Link:
http://castle.pricewatch.com/s/search.asp?s=geforce+6800+256mb&c=Video+Card&i=37&srt=t&mi=0&m=&view=
Vendor Site:
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=XFX-68XT25&c=pw

Regards
Sun

38ruk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:11:27 PM »

While the 6800ultra is a good card , iirc it was a big power draw on the system . If i was in your shoes i would look for a 16 pipe X800xt or 850xt or a 7600GT .

The 7600GT is now availiable in AGP , its on par with the 16 pipe X800-850 series (X800-50XT's still beat it by + 3-5fps in tests ive seen ) , uses less power , and supports SM 3.0 . Its down side is that it has a 128bit memory bus , but its alot newer tech than the X8xx series . If i had to chose between say a x850pro (12 pipe) and a 7600GT , i would pick up the later. GL

Oh btw their's a 7800gs refirb on newegg for $205 .

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130046

Krusty · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:23:38 PM »

Too steep for me. There's a couple Ge6800's out there with 12 pipelines. Those are enticing. However the one linked only had 8. The 6800GS has 12. Also has 256-bit memory. Most x800s and X850s I've seen also have 12, so it's comparable to them.

richard_rd · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:26:59 PM »

7600GT is the best bang for the buck card for AGP now. You can usually get them for under $150 after a $30-40 rebate. Check out newegg!!!!

Don't get the 7600GS, make sure it is a GT version.

The 7600GT should score around 6500 plus in 3DMark05, the older 6800GT's just scored around 5500 in 3DMark05 for a comparison referance.

Schatzi · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2006, 06:47:40 AM »

I got a GF 7600 GT 256 MB (PCIe in my case though) for 160,-EUR.

Best card in that price range IMHO. Anything better will be a *lot* more expensive and anything cheaper will have much less performance.

Krusty · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2006, 04:53:05 PM »

I was browsing and looked at the reviews for the 7600 and 7800 in AGP. Somebody said something like "its gimped for pipelines" and I thought "No way! It's got the most! 16!" then I re-read it and the person mean as compared to PCIe. So I compared two cards one AGP one PCIe, and the PCIe had 24! I sputtered at myself.

Good god! How can they make the SAME card for AGP but practically cut it in half like that?