Best video card for $250-$300ish?

[Isocene]

I found someone to buy my Radeon 9700 for $150 so I need to get a new card.

I'm willing to spend up to $250~$300ish for a good card that will be a good jump up from my Radeon 9700.

I was thinking about the ATI 9800 Pro 256bit 128mb but I dont know if thats the best for that price range or not. I know its like $200 but I'm willing to spend more.

Please any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I've been out of the market for video cards so I don't want to make a wrong decision.

I'm looking to place an order tonight if possible btw.


Thanks

Mike

 

[Wingznut]

Radeon 9800 PRO is your best bet... Unless you want to jump into the $360 range and find a deal on an X800 PRO.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

There is no good upgrade for you in that price range, and I doubt there will be. Even the 6800 doesnt look like a big enough boost. Wait for the X800 Pro to drop.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
There is no good upgrade for you in that price range, and I doubt there will be. Even the 6800 doesnt look like a big enough boost. Wait for the X800 Pro to drop.

Once he sells his 9700 PRO for $150, the 9800 PRO will cost him a whopping $50... Going from a 9700 PRO to a 9800 PRO is certainly worth $50.

 

[Isocene]

hmmm I thought so. I have 2 questions.

1. Will that be a big upgrade over a 9700 and...

2. Is there any particular model I should I search for? Is the ATI one good? Or Saphhire?



Mike

 

[OfficerDoofey]

.l

 

[OfficerDoofey]

best video card between $250 - $300??

would have to be the VooDoo II yea?

 

[LTC8K6]

If he sells the 9700pro for 150, then the X800pro is right in his price range.

 

[Isocene]

Is that X800 Pro a really big jump up?

 

[vshah]

yeah it'd be about double the performance on average.

-Vivan

 

[LTC8K6]

You'll need a fast CPU to feed an X800pro though.

 

[Isocene]

Double the perfomance??? I can't even imagine that.

I have an Athlon 2500+ with a 1 gig of ram. Is that OK?

Also, I can only find this card for $475 on newegg. Is there a better place to get that X800 from?


Mike

 

[Isocene]

This is the cheapest I've found it. Ecost:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecsplash/shop/detail.asp?dpno=430746

 

[souja]

Currently newegg.com has it for $475 because of the high demand. The model made by ATI has a suggested retail price for $399. If you check the Best Buy's and Comp USA's, they will have the pre-order boxes on the shelves. Call your local store to see when they will get them in stock. Most people are saying two weeks.

Bestbuy.com recent had a small stock that they sold for $359.99. The sale lasted just a few hours before they were sold out!

 

[Isocene]

hmmm looks like ill have to wait huh.

Is my computers specs ok for this card?

 

[souja]

Check the review link posted here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=31&threadid=1309841&enterthread=y

Then you can guage for yourself whether the performance difference between a x800 Pro and a 9800XT for your CPU is worth it. Keep in mind that a 9800XT is around 10% faster than a 9800 Pro.

 

[Isocene]

Wow that was a great article in that thread! Thanks alot souja!

It looks like my best bet would be to just get a 9800 Pro. I dont think my CPU can put out enough for the X800.

Thanks for your help everyone!


Mike

 

[Chebago]

I would get the x800 pro, I think you might be dissapointed with the performance increase going from a 9700 to a 9800, but not with the x800pro, you can always upgrade your processor later, and I'm sure that card will work very well for atleast 2 years, after all, your 9700pro is almost 2 years old.

 

[jhurst]

I would suggest waiting. Your 9700pro is fine for now, isn't it?? I mean, are you having video problems or something? My 9600XT is fine for now, runs all the games (FarCry, UT2K3/4, RTCW, CoD) with no problems. Keep the extra money you are willing to spend, save a little more, and get a 6800GT, I believe the nVidia to be a better card than the X800.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Performance will only 'double' at very high resolutions - 1280X1024 and especially 1600X1200. With only a 2500+, that is not enough to keep an X800 Pro fed with data. I'd recommend at least a 3 Ghz P4 to really get some good performance out of it (or an Athlon 64).

I'd go with the more affordable 9800 Pro. Decent upgrade in performance for little money.

 

[Avalon]

I think I'm going to go the same route as the OP. Sell my softmodded 9500 for $125 if I can (damn shame I couldn't sell it for $150 like him, even though my card is basically the same) and get a 9800 pro. I'm wondering how high a mobile barton would have to be clocked to adequately feed an x800. I've got mine running at 216x11 right now.

 

[Isocene]

I'm selling the card to my roommate. It seems like $150 is a decent price for the card eh?

I'm letting him borrow my 4200 right now.

He's playing Star Wars Knight of the Old Republic.

I ordered this card last night:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=320741


Mike

 

[Avalon]

I think I'm going to take my chances and buy a Powercolor 9800 SE C3 and attempt the softmod route. Saving an extra $50 is vital. I'm totally strapped for cash right now

 

[Isocene]

I have a few friends who do all the modding and overclocking stuff. But I dont want to have to install any more cooling stuff that makes my machine louder.