Best card for ~$125

[aberdeen5]

I want a decent card to use while I wait for the mid range 8 series cards to come out

 

[schneiderguy]

7600gt

edit: or x1650xt. they are about the same speed, but the x1650xt can do HDR + AA if that matters to you

 

[Cookie Monster]

7600GT. For abit more money X1650XT.

 

[moosey]

7600GT
eVGA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
BFG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143049
XFX (factory o/c)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150182

 

[Extelleron]

X1650XT

 

[Acanthus]

the 7600GT and X1650XT are both good for the money.

The 8000 series mid range could be a lot closer than previously thought, there are beta cards built and circulating (pics in the 8600/8300 thread).

 

[jamesbond007]

Wow, that XFX 7600GT looks to be the nicest card for the price right now! I have been looking for about 2 hours now at reviews between the 7900GS and other higher-end cards to replace my semi-deffective 6800 non-ultra. (google DPC + nvidia + troubleshoot)

The XFX 7600GT has the fastest memory and core compared to others, dual DVI...moosey, I don't know how I missed that card on NewEgg, but thanks for the link and post! Such a sweet price for the casual/light gamer! Dual DVI to boot.

 

[Tougas]

7600GT or x1900GT?

Edit, that's me asking a question not offering a suggestion

 

[RussianSensation]

So instead of spending $125 on a midrange card today and then buying a midrange Geforce 8 for $299, why don't you just buy an 8800GTX today?

Sure you can resell the $125 card for say $75 but is $75 worth it to not enjoy high end performance for all this time?

To me stopgap cards don't make a lot of sense.

If you want a decent mid-range card, just get X1950 Pro instead and upgrade when you require more performance.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: moosey

XFX (factory o/c)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150182

Whats that plate across the top of the card ?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: moosey

XFX (factory o/c)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150182

Whats that plate across the top of the card ?

does that show the XFX insignia on the top of it? In any case, it doesn't add to performance if that's what you are asking.

 

[aberdeen5]

I ended up getting a 7800GT of the FS/FT forum

 

[AndrewL]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
So instead of spending $125 on a midrange card today and then buying a midrange Geforce 8 for $299, why don't you just buy an 8800GTX today?

Sure you can resell the $125 card for say $75 but is $75 worth it to not enjoy high end performance for all this time?

To me stopgap cards don't make a lot of sense.

If you want a decent mid-range card, just get X1950 Pro instead and upgrade when you require more performance.

Imo your almost bang on as far as bang for buck method. Instead though I always by mid-highend as opposed to mid or ultra highend. Ultra highend deprecciates like crazy within a few months. Mid high is usually at least 85%-90% of the highest end performance for 1/2 to 2/3 as much. To top it off when all is said and done 1-2 yrs later you can still get about half what you paid for it maybe a little more.

 

[KenSimone]

Is the recertified 7800gt on newegg a good deal ($136)? I'm looking for the same thing OP is looking for. A good card cheap.

 

[sfmedic]

On tigerdirect you can find these cards

EVGA GeForce 7600 GT / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card

XFX GeForce 7600 GT XXX Edition / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card

 

[aberdeen5]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
So instead of spending $125 on a midrange card today and then buying a midrange Geforce 8 for $299, why don't you just buy an 8800GTX today?

Sure you can resell the $125 card for say $75 but is $75 worth it to not enjoy high end performance for all this time?

To me stopgap cards don't make a lot of sense.

If you want a decent mid-range card, just get X1950 Pro instead and upgrade when you require more performance.

I don't have the money to buy a 8800GTX or GTS right now. I agree with you that stopgap cards can be a waste, but I am going to want to have a DX10 card for the DX10 games coming out down the road.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: KenSimone
Is the recertified 7800gt on newegg a good deal ($136)? I'm looking for the same thing OP is looking for. A good card cheap.

Just got that very thing! Pwns the 7600GS I replaced, and is noticably faster than the 7600GT OC in a friend's PC that has a faster cpu than mine (He : C2D 6600, Me : Puny PD 945)

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: KenSimone
Is the recertified 7800gt on newegg a good deal ($136)? I'm looking for the same thing OP is looking for. A good card cheap.

Just got that very thing! Pwns the 7600GS I replaced, and is noticably faster than the 7600GT OC in a friend's PC that has a faster cpu than mine (He : C2D 6600, Me : Puny PD 945)

If it works ok its a fantastic deal because its essentially a slightly lower clocked 7900GS & thus will smoke any 7600GT .. just be sure to test it very well during the 14 day return period.

 

[imported_cinder]

I like eVGA branded cards lifetime warranty is EXTREMELY attractive.

 

[KenSimone]

Any gut feelings on which of the following has a better chance of being functional... the recertified 7800gt or an open box 7900gs from Newegg?

 

[happy medium]

I would grab this used 7800gt for 125.00$

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1985423&enterthread=y