OT; Best Graphics card to buy $200 - $350

MENTAT · 06-21-06, 03:21 AM

So, PCI-E board is a must than. My poor wallet

SmokinTep · 06-21-06, 06:22 AM

Only if your motherboard supports it.

Skybird · 06-21-06, 06:41 AM

I just had tried an ATI X850XT board. While I had problems with the control software that some users are reporting to have with the latest versions of the driver (both Catalyst and Omega, 6.x), the board itself gave a good performance, so hardware-wise I would have stayed with it easily. Concerning hardware I recommend this configuartion very much, it is a very good compromise between performance and price.The question for me is if it makes sense to spend almost twice as much for a board of the latest generation - if that board still is doomed to become outdated again soon. Graphics boards are indeed very fast in this regard.

I would always recommend to look not for the ridiculously expensive latest board generation, but one generation before, which then is available at far more reasonable prices (~200 Euros). I did so with my previous FX5900XT, I did so with the X850XT, and now changed that for an 6800GS. Happy ro report the chane went smoothly, and the store had a good service (and very fast), and I am operating the new board since some minutes. I run Oblivion with default ini-file and maximum details at 1024x780 (frames 30-35) and 1280x1024 (frames 25-30), frames measured in the outside world. Inside buildings and dungeons they are far higher. It is said the X850XT is faster than the 6800GS, but I remember the frames under the same circumstances being in excactly the same range with the X850XT - to me both cards do not make a difference. Good card, good driver and control software, excellent game. Can't wish for anything more. Every euro more would have been a waste only.

Skybird · 06-21-06, 06:48 AM

Talking about AGP in my above post. The new board has extended the living time of my aging AGP-system significantly, since I do not plan to buy much games anymore.

MENTAT · 06-22-06, 09:51 AM

I have an ATI Radeon 9800 pro and it was the king of all cards at that time.. I cant believe how it has become an "ordinary" card now ?? It was cost a 450$ to me and it was the most expensive part of the computer i employed (~20% of the total system)

It seems i have to get rid of that ASUS A7N8X deluxe Card which we had gone thru many adventures together..

So what do you recommend for a PCI-E system? For MB and for VC?

SmokinTep · 06-22-06, 10:00 AM

Depends on how much you want to spend. I had a 9800 Pro myself that lasted about 3 years of heavy gaming. Like you said, it was top of the line back then. I replaced it with a Nvidia 7800 GS OC. What a big difference. Went with AGP for now since I didn't want to replace the motherboard yet.

06-21-06, 06:41 AM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,657 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I just had tried an ATI X850XT board. While I had problems with the control software that some users are reporting to have with the latest versions of the driver (both Catalyst and Omega, 6.x), the board itself gave a good performance, so hardware-wise I would have stayed with it easily. Concerning hardware I recommend this configuartion very much, it is a very good compromise between performance and price.The question for me is if it makes sense to spend almost twice as much for a board of the latest generation - if that board still is doomed to become outdated again soon. Graphics boards are indeed very fast in this regard. I would always recommend to look not for the ridiculously expensive latest board generation, but one generation before, which then is available at far more reasonable prices (~200 Euros). I did so with my previous FX5900XT, I did so with the X850XT, and now changed that for an 6800GS. Happy ro report the chane went smoothly, and the store had a good service (and very fast), and I am operating the new board since some minutes. I run Oblivion with default ini-file and maximum details at 1024x780 (frames 30-35) and 1280x1024 (frames 25-30), frames measured in the outside world. Inside buildings and dungeons they are far higher. It is said the X850XT is faster than the 6800GS, but I remember the frames under the same circumstances being in excactly the same range with the X850XT - to me both cards do not make a difference. Good card, good driver and control software, excellent game. Can't wish for anything more. Every euro more would have been a waste only. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 06-21-06 at 06:45 AM.

06-21-06, 06:48 AM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,657 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Talking about AGP in my above post. The new board has extended the living time of my aging AGP-system significantly, since I do not plan to buy much games anymore. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

06-21-06, 03:21 AM	#1
MENTAT Sparky Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mediterranean Posts: 156 Downloads: 220 Uploads: 0	So, PCI-E board is a must than. My poor wallet

06-21-06, 06:22 AM	#2
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Only if your motherboard supports it.

06-22-06, 09:51 AM	#5
MENTAT Sparky Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mediterranean Posts: 156 Downloads: 220 Uploads: 0	I have an ATI Radeon 9800 pro and it was the king of all cards at that time.. I cant believe how it has become an "ordinary" card now ?? It was cost a 450$ to me and it was the most expensive part of the computer i employed (~20% of the total system) It seems i have to get rid of that ASUS A7N8X deluxe Card which we had gone thru many adventures together.. So what do you recommend for a PCI-E system? For MB and for VC?

06-22-06, 10:00 AM	#6
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Depends on how much you want to spend. I had a 9800 Pro myself that lasted about 3 years of heavy gaming. Like you said, it was top of the line back then. I replaced it with a Nvidia 7800 GS OC. What a big difference. Went with AGP for now since I didn't want to replace the motherboard yet.