Picking a video card... NVidia or ATI

[bX510]

OKay, so i am upgrading for pci express. The mobo i currently like is from BIOSTAR TForce4SLI ATX AMD Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813138272) and i want to know what video card is around the 100 -150 range that is better then a 9800 AIW. I like ati because of the tv capture is superior, but their customer support / drivers suck. My mobo is SLI ready, so in the future i can use 2 vid card. nVidia sounds like a better pick, but i need some proffessional opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hepafleb]

I like...

Radeon X800GTO 128MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16

it is around 90 bucks it doesn't do HDR but it will kick the living crap out of all the cards for that price range you are talking about. you can go to 256 version for just 20 more bucks too.

the guy below me is right though, SLI=nVidia only.

 

[deptrai]

SLI does not work with ATI. If you want to use SLI, you better go with nVidia.

 

[bX510]

yeah i know, but ati tv capture > nvidia :/

I don't know the cards for nvidia that well, What card for nvidia is equilvelant or better then a 9800 PRO AIW

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: bX510
yeah i know, but ati tv capture > nvidia :/

I don't know the cards for nvidia that well, What card for nvidia is equilvelant or better then a 9800 PRO AIW

6600GT is the most equivilent to 9800pro, and slightly faster.

 

[deptrai]

EVGA 6600 GT

 

[Hepafleb]

you might take this test run by anandtech into consideration.

A couple pages into it it shows that the 6600 is somewhat lacking and the x800 does fairly well especially since the x800 is only 90 dollars.

 

[bX510]

I like this card, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102505

SAPPHIRE Radeon X850XT

but a little out of price range. Whats the difference between GTO, GT and XT

 

[Hepafleb]

All of those are included in the test I linked above and on the first page of the article include some stats for them.
The 6600 GT (make sure its gt if you get one, which is 130'ish dollars) is almsot as good as good as the x800 GTO(which is 90 dollars)

also that test I linked too is using the oblivion game and it is probably the most stressful game for your rig to play.
Although it may seem the fps scores a little low...even x1900 gt x2 Crossfire can't run it completely smooth when you set the graphics on that game to max...

 

[Luckyboy1]

If you want a dual card ATI rig, then you'd want a 3200 Crossfire capable mommaboard.

 

[bX510]

I like that board because its cheap. Maybe i should stick with nvidia, but their stuff is expensive for the same performance ATI offers but cheaper.

 

[Hepafleb]

Then you just need to decide if you want to spend less money and use one ati card or spend more money per card (to take advantage of the SLI you have to buy 2 cards im sure you know).

 

[Cruise51]

From what I've heard this is how I think it works.
x800gt- slightly slower than 6600gt. slightly faster than 9800pro.
x800gto(128)- slightly faster than 6600gt
x800gto(256)- slightly better than x800pro, some overclock much higher or unlock but not often.
x800gto(fireblade)- highly overclockable, usually to x850xtpe performance. Has a loud cooler.
x800gto2(red)- is essentially a x850xtpe in disguise, only needs unlocking.
x800gto2(blue)- unlocks like red one but has slower core. (x800xl in disguise)
x850xtpe-slightly faster than 6800ultra. bit slower than 7800gt and x1800xl.
The best way to see the performance differences would be to look at some benchmarks.

If you like the x850xt then consider this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102646
It's basically a x850xtpe after a bios flash.

 

[bX510]

I don't know how to bios flash. what is that?

Okay, so since i am cheap. I will go for the ATI + the mobo. If i get a nvidia card (doesn't say SLI ready) then can i use it for duel cards? I am guessing no.

 

[The Dome]

What about trying a 7600GT? they have a great future proof set of features and can be had for $10 more than you budget. That's what I would get if I were in your shoes and could pony up the cash for it.

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: The Dome
What about trying a 7600GT? they have a great future proof set of features and can be had for $10 more than you budget. That's what I would get if I were in your shoes and could pony up the cash for it.

That's what i'd suggest. It's about as fast as a X850XT & has Shader Model 3 (X800's only have Shader Model 2.0b). 2 in SLI are looking quite nice too.

 

[Steaksauce]

You should check out 7600GS's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127210 with free Brothers in Arms game $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130011 $99 After rebate

 

[alimoalem]

x850xt or 7600GT. whichever is cheaper

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: The Dome
What about trying a 7600GT? they have a great future proof set of features and can be had for $10 more than you budget. That's what I would get if I were in your shoes and could pony up the cash for it.

:thumbsup:

 

[furballi]

For maximum compatibility, stay with Nvidia if you have NF chipset, and ATI if you have Radeon chipset.

 

[imported_red5]

I'd suggest the 7600gt. It usually runs closer to $200 but it will run most games quite nicely at a low cost.

 

[imported_killuminati]

man save some more money aand get a 7600GT , best Bang for Buck .

Peace & ciao !!!

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Cruise51
From what I've heard this is how I think it works.
x800gt- slightly slower than 6600gt. slightly faster than 9800pro.

wrong. i have the x800gt and on many games (like fear)it beats the 6600gt by about 10 fps in in some 6600gt wins. so i would consider the x800gt AS fast or faster the a 6600gt

x800gto(128)- slightly faster than 6600gt
x800gto(256)- slightly better than x800pro, some overclock much higher or unlock but not often.
x800gto(fireblade)- highly overclockable, usually to x850xtpe performance. Has a loud cooler.
x800gto2(red)- is essentially a x850xtpe in disguise, only needs unlocking.
x800gto2(blue)- unlocks like red one but has slower core. (x800xl in disguise)
x850xtpe-slightly faster than 6800ultra. bit slower than 7800gt and x1800xl.
The best way to see the performance differences would be to look at some benchmarks.

If you like the x850xt then consider this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102646
It's basically a x850xtpe after a bios flash.

 

[Tarrant64]

As to the comment about sticking with Nvidia for NF chipsets and ATI for radeon chipsets. I'm not so sure it matters. I always use ATI, and all my mobo's have been NF. No problems with compatibility whatsoever. And I don't think performance increases by doing so either way.

of course, if someone has a link to prove it otherwise...

 

[TanisHalfElven]

here a link i found to bac up my claim of c800gt => 6600gt.
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=1456&page=9