eVGA 6600GT vs MSI 6600GT

[eflat]

I've narrowed it down to these two video cards.

The eVGA is actually a little cheaper but the MSI I like because I also use MSI motherboards so it makes me feel like there will be fewer compatibility.

But then again eVGA is a kind of new company and an underdog and that is always cool. Any thoughts on which card is quieter? That is an important factor. So is frequently updated drivers. Any thoughts?

Reliability and quietness are 10x more important than performance. Both will be more than enough in the performace department.

 

[rise]

eVGA

 

[YYZ2112]

eVGA - based on other video cards I've owned from these guys an old 4400MX and then a 6800GT....very reliable IMO. You may want to read some newegg reviews of these units also.

 

[midnight growler]

I wouldn't bother with NewEgg reviews, they only list positive reviews.

For reliability, go with eVGA. They just started doing lifetime warrenties on their cards. I don't know about noise though. Another great feature with eVGA is their Step-Up program. If you get some extra cash within 90 days, you can sell your card back to them and use the money towards buying a newer card.

You could spend some extra money towards buying an aftermarket cooler for your card. A Zalman GPU fan would be nearly silent, but you'd lose your warrenty and it sounds like you don't want that. Gigabyte makes a completly silent, passive-cooled 6600GT as well, great for keeping your warrenty but it also costs more than the regular 6600GTs.

 

[YYZ2112]

mg, I agree that most of the NE reviews are positive (who want's to diss their buying decision in public anyhow) but there are often some really honest crap reviews also that get posted. When making a buying decision, it's the source I place the least weight on but sometimes they can be informative....i.e. real world cpu/gpu/ram overclocks etc. I definately pay more attention to negative reviews than positive from this source. You make a great point about the eVGA warranty.

 

[spiritwalker2223]

I have MSI, and like it but the brand doesn't matter much. But the MSI does come with VIVO, which is nice... if you use it.

 

[leafman]

http://www.behardware.com/articles/550-...geforce-6600-gt-agp-pci-e-roundup.html

might be useful