Help picking card for Battlefield 2

[trooper11]

Ive been trying to find the best agp card in the $100 range (100-150) for playing battlefield 2.

I would love to be able to run the game at 1280x1024 since that is my monitor's native res, and i have seen that its possible on cards in that range, just without AA or AF. Would that be a huge loss? If that is not possible, Ill put up with 1024x768 since I cant afford anything more powerful and at least at that res I could run some AA and AF.


Also, I know that battlefield is a memory hog, so would a card with 256 be noticably better then one with 128? Im really wondering wether the onbaord ram size or the core/memory speeds affect performance for the game.


The cards I was considering were the 6600GT 128MB or the 6800 128MB for starters. but Ive also seen regular 6600s with 256mb of ram in the price range. I was also thinking either EVGA or XFX as far as brands go. Thanks for the help.


The other parts im working with on my system:

AMD Athlon64 3700+ S754
1 GB Corsair PC3200 Ram (single stick)

 

[imported_GP40X]

I just got an XFX 6800GS AGP for BF2. Seems to be playing OK so far. If you can try to scrape upm the extra $70.00 or so and get the 6800GS for $220.00 The 256 of GDDR3 really seems to help.

GP40X(AWG)

 

[Matthias99]

I wouldn't go for anything less than a 6600GT or 6800NU (or ATI RADEON X800). The 6600 is significantly slower; the extra RAM will not make a difference on a card at this speed.

If you can stretch the budget a bit, a 6800GS/GT or a RADEON X800GTO2 would probably run the game better (and the X800GTO2 has a chance to unlock and essentially become an X800XT, if you are willing to void the warranty).

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
I wouldn't go for anything less than a 6600GT or 6800NU (or ATI RADEON X800). The 6600 is significantly slower; the extra RAM will not make a difference on a card at this speed.

If you can stretch the budget a bit, a 6800GS/GT or a RADEON X800GTO2 would probably run the game better (and the X800GTO2 has a chance to unlock and essentially become an X800XT, if you are willing to void the warranty).

Um, the X800GTO2 doesn't exist for AGP. The X800GTO yes, X800GTO2, no.

 

[Matt2]

My X800XL played BF2 great with 4xAA 16xAF, so anything equal to or better than the XL you will be fine in BF2

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon

Originally posted by: Matthias99
I wouldn't go for anything less than a 6600GT or 6800NU (or ATI RADEON X800). The 6600 is significantly slower; the extra RAM will not make a difference on a card at this speed.

If you can stretch the budget a bit, a 6800GS/GT or a RADEON X800GTO2 would probably run the game better (and the X800GTO2 has a chance to unlock and essentially become an X800XT, if you are willing to void the warranty).

Um, the X800GTO2 doesn't exist for AGP. The X800GTO yes, X800GTO2, no.

Ah, my bad. Yeah, scratch the GTO2. The X800XL is a decent choice in AGP, though, as it performs near a 6800GT and isn't too expensive (although the 6800GS is now usually cheaper and just as fast).

 

[Captante]

For $100, a Radeon 9800 Pro or XT ... up to $150, a 6600GT (128mb model is fine) or slightly better, a 6800nu (also 128mb). Really you should consider going with either a 6800GS or an X800XL if theres any way you can scrape together the money ... the extra performance will be worth every penny!

 

[Auric]

Eh, you don't want to run it at 1024 just because that is your monitor's optimal or vertical max as the game is only capable of correctly displaying 4:3 aspect ratio resolutions and thus 960 is the target. If it is a panel then a lower horizontal res will look poor. I concur with Captante. The 800XL additionally has the ability to do Adapative AA (which the 6800 does not).

 

[themusgrat]

For 130, 6600GT is great. I had it, and played BF2 half the settings on med and half on high, 2x AA, lag-free. Now, the 6800GS plays everything at high, 2x AA lag free. Good luck.

 

[Munky]

My friend played BF2 on his 6600gt and it was ok at 1280x1024, medium-high settings, no AA or AF. But you may get some slowdowns on servers with many players, so I'd go for a faster card if you can spend a little more - maybe a 6800 and possibly try to unlock or OC.

 

[trooper11]

the problem i have with the 6800GS is that its not the same core used on the pci-e version and runs at lower speeds. i just dont think its worth the extra money compared to a regular 6800 or a 6600GT

 

[professor1942]

My 6800 128 MB is just barely enough to run it at decent settings... I'd recommend getting a 256 MB card with at least as much power (ie. not a 6600GT).

 

[trooper11]

ok ive also added the x800 pro 256mb card since it seems it will play BF 2 at performance on the level of a 6800GT.

so if you had a choice between the x800 pro 256 and the 6800GT 256, which would be the better choice? as long as price is equal of course.

 

[buzzsaw13]

Originally posted by: trooper11
the problem i have with the 6800GS is that its not the same core used on the pci-e version and runs at lower speeds. i just dont think its worth the extra money compared to a regular 6800 or a 6600GT

The 6800GS AGP's are old NV40's, so they're just 6800GT's with 4 pipelines locked. They even detect as a 6800GT once you unlock it.

 

[BassBomb]

i have a BFG 6600GT AGP 525/1050

and i can run BF2 @ 1024x768 4xAA , HIGH (except textures MEDIUM), is smooth

then i got a new monitor..

which i run @ 1280x1024 , HIGH (except textures MEDIUM) is also smooth
i never tested out any AA on that reosolution, cuz id rather smoothness, and its not that badly needed

I reccomend going for a 6600GT in that price range definatley.. ive had mine for almost a year and its not dissapointing

my spces are 3200+ w/ 512x2 Dual Channel .. so you should get similar or better results since oyu have a better CPU

my cousin has a BFG 6800GT AGP 370/1000
and he plays at 1280x960 HIGH, with 4xAA

so 70 bucks will probably give you more AA on 1280x960 and thats about all

 

[trooper11]

after some looking and after getting some more money together, im down to two choices.

I can get a 6800GT 256mb AGP card for $180 or I could get an ati x850xt 256mb agp card for $255. From the few benchmarks ive seen using battlefield and these two cards, they seem to perform equally, but then in many other games, the x850 is the better choice. anyone else have any opinions on these two cards?

 

[Hav0k99]

Originally posted by: trooper11
after some looking and after getting some more money together, im down to two choices.

I can get a 6800GT 256mb AGP card for $180 or I could get an ati x850xt 256mb agp card for $255. From the few benchmarks ive seen using battlefield and these two cards, they seem to perform equally, but then in many other games, the x850 is the better choice. anyone else have any opinions on these two cards?

my opinion Nvidia > Ati for Battlefield 2

 

[Termie]

Well, at $180, the 6800GT is an obvious choice. I love my x800xt pe (equivalent to x850xt) on Battlefield 2, and I do believe it's slightly faster than the 6800GT, but given your initial budget, I don't think it will be worth it to you to spend $255. On the other hand, Microcenter has the x850xt for $250 minus a $50 ati rebate, and at that price, I'd go for the x850xt. If you can put together the cash, that's the one to buy. I know a lot of people on this forum we're buying those. Otherwise 6800gt for sure, at $180.

 

[trooper11]

thats the exact deal i was talking about, the microcenter sale. it would be $255 with shipping. im sure the rebate will take several weeks, so i cant really count that as saving lol

 

[Hav0k99]

Go for a used unlockable 6800nu on the For Sale / Trade forum. An unlockable gets you to all the vertex shaders and pipers of a 6800GT. I've seen it for $120-150

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: themusgrat
For 130, 6600GT is great. I had it, and played BF2 half the settings on med and half on high, 2x AA, lag-free. Now, the 6800GS plays everything at high, 2x AA lag free. Good luck.

I have everything on high, no AA and low lighting(helps, really should try it) a lot of lag at the beging of the match, but it goes away quick. I...ninth the 6600GT. Also overclocks very well. Buy a XFX 1 for overclocking.

 

[Powermoloch]

I used 6600 AGP once with the BF2, works brilliantly (except the stuttering...yeah I have 1 Gb of ram)

 

[Tom]

Where can you get a 6800GT agp for $180 ?

TIA

 

[Nextman916]

Wow poor guy, he posted an $100 budget and already people are recommending the 6800gs and x800xl.

 

[Subwayeatbig]

Originally posted by: trooper11
thats the exact deal i was talking about, the microcenter sale. it would be $255 with shipping. im sure the rebate will take several weeks, so i cant really count that as saving lol

umm 255-$50 dollars mail in rebate= 205