Need best bang-for-buck card for my boy

[frazzled]

Hi all,

After all of these years I know this is "the place" to get an answer to my question.

My son inherited my self-built P4 3.06 GHz machine recently and since it was primarily used as a graphics workstation it *originally* had a 128 MB Parhelia in it (stop laughing). Of course I yanked that out and switched in his original video card, a GeForce3 Ti200 (OK, you're laughing again) that I got a great deal on a Black Friday Sale at BestBuy...

He really needs a modern card, but he is not playing Half-Life or Doom3 at present (he's 10 and the tension in those types of games still bothers him). He's upstairs happily playing Pirates right now, but I can imagine that a new video card would improve the experience for him.

I'd like to keep the price under $200 (OK, his *father* wants the price under $200 ) if possible.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,

JT

 

[The Green Bean]

6600GT for $200-220 ....best bang for the buck

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: hatim
6600GT for $200-220 ....best bang for the buck

 

[DusterAZ]

This looks like one of the best deals for a 6600GT ->

http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-145-102

 

[ddviper]

yup go with 6600GT

 

[VIAN]

6600GT is the way to go.

CAUTION: DO NOT GO WITH XFX BRAND!!! (cool. I just figured out that if you highlight text and press the Bold button, it will bold it.)

Recommend:

An MSI 6600GT 8xAGP for $214, which includes a crap load of CDs featuring a kick ass game called XIII.

 

[overst33r]

BFG, MSI, or ASUS but they are a little more expensive. The BFG comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

[mwmorph]

meh, xiii isnt that good, despite all the hype. buy a brand with a good warranty instead if the software bundle.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Originally posted by: DusterAZ
This looks like one of the best deals for a 6600GT ->

http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-145-102

DO NOT BUY FROM EXTREAM GEAR!!!

They sent me a bad 6800GT, I got them to RMA the card, and I got an even worse one. When I requested my money back, they would no longer return my emails, and I couldn't get them on the phone.

AVOID BUYXG AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

 

[frazzled]

It is amazing how much the video card market has simplified at this range ... it's really a pleasure.

I'm impressed at the consensus and will definitely go with the 6600GT . Since I normally go with ATI/Matrox on my own machines I will stick with one of the tried-n-true brands.

I'm thinking about this card from MSI: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321917

Look good?

Thanks a million guys, this will allow me to order it right away and he can have it this week!

JT

 

[RussianSensation]

6600GT

 

[VIAN]

meh, xiii isnt that good, despite all the hype.

I didn't buy it because of the hype, I bought it cause it looked cool and got a good score on some review and I really like it. Story was cool.

Nice free 2nd day is the roxors.

 

[overst33r]

good descision!

 

[hans030390]

1. what kind of power supply do you have....

2. Go to newegg and look for the 6600GT agp....you can get the NON XFX for around 205....
thats your best buy, plus newegg is very very good.

 

[BW86]

6600GT

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: frazzled
It is amazing how much the video card market has simplified at this range ... it's really a pleasure.

I'm impressed at the consensus and will definitely go with the 6600GT . Since I normally go with ATI/Matrox on my own machines I will stick with one of the tried-n-true brands.

I'm thinking about this card from MSI: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321917

Look good?

Thanks a million guys, this will allow me to order it right away and he can have it this week!

JT

looks fine to me!

 

[BrokenVisage]

Whats wrong with the XFX 6000GT card? I've been seeing lots of setups with the XFX one.. is it really a brand to stay away from?

 

[Queasy]

I plugged in a XFX 6600GT into my PC last week ($174 at buy.com after rebate) and haven't had a single problem. Temps have been within reason as well.

If there was one 6600 GT card I'd stay away from, it is the PNY. I've heard of problems with artifacts and other junk from those cards.

The MSI card probably has the best stock cooler on it though from the reviews I've read.

 

[slurmsmackenzie]

go to FS\FT forum here at AT. lots of great deals. very well regulated trading forum. people go through components faster than socks and you cash in on that and get a current generation card that's two months broken in for around 70% retail.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Any AGP 6600GT would be the best bang for the buck, but if your son doesn't play any of the action-oriented games, all that extra power is wasted. A 9600 Pro would be just barely above $100, and despite being three years old it can play (at about 40 fps) Half-Life 2 with highest settings, Doom 3 at high settings, and certainly games like Pirates as well.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: BrokenVisage
Whats wrong with the XFX 6000GT card? I've been seeing lots of setups with the XFX one.. is it really a brand to stay away from?

From what I heard from the census is that they're support is pretty bad.

 

[imverygifted]

ya go w/ a 6600GT those are great cards

 

[The Green Bean]

Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Any AGP 6600GT would be the best bang for the buck, but if your son doesn't play any of the action-oriented games, all that extra power is wasted. A 9600 Pro would be just barely above $100, and despite being three years old it can play (at about 40 fps) Half-Life 2 with highest settings, Doom 3 at high settings, and certainly games like Pirates as well.

A plain 9600 would hardly be faster than a Gefroce 3 Ti200!!!

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Any AGP 6600GT would be the best bang for the buck, but if your son doesn't play any of the action-oriented games, all that extra power is wasted. A 9600 Pro would be just barely above $100, and despite being three years old it can play (at about 40 fps) Half-Life 2 with highest settings, Doom 3 at high settings, and certainly games like Pirates as well.

i seriously doubt a 9600pro can play HL2 on HIGHEST settings

 

[SpeedTester]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: hatim
6600GT for $200-220 ....best bang for the buck