Upgrading on a Budget

[Yeraze]

I'm lookin to upgrade my system, (just checked out the DDO Beta.. Time to upgrade ). Here's my current relevant specs:

AMD Athlon 3000 (2.2GHz)
1 Gig Ram
NVidia 5900
Windows XP

Seems to me the obvious thing to change is the Video Card (feel free to correct me if i'm wrong). My motherboard is AGP based, so no PCI Express for me. I'm looking to keep it around $200, so the NVidia Geforce 6600 cards have piqued my curiosity. Is this the "recommended" upgrade path? Some friends of mine have recommended the ATI 9600XT or X850, but the reviews I've found seem to put those under the 6600 or way out of my price range.

So, what do you suggest? Brands, Vendors, Chipsets, everything...
What I'm currently considering: (CompUSA) BFG GeForce 6600OC, AGP, 256MB for $179
or the (NewEgg) BFG 6800GS 256MB for $219

 

[mwmorph]

6800gs if you are on a budget. 6600oc is slow as hell and overpriced.

 

[Zbox]

6800gs seconded

except you should get it at ZZF for $20 less and free 2nd day shipping:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=326031

 

[Yeraze]

Ahh, thanks for the pointer to ZZF, I forgot about them.

If the 6800GS is considered the "good" choice, then which is better eVGA 6800GS ($223 with $20 Mail-in Rebate) or the BFG 6800GS ($199)..

 

[Acanthus]

Both are great OEMs, ive had bad experiences with XFX and MSI support. (just FYI if you see those cheaper)

 

[Yeraze]

I doubt I'll ever be using the support, but I know what ya mean.. I'm pretty much focusing on BFG & eVGA.

 

[christopherzombie]

Originally posted by: Yeraze
Ahh, thanks for the pointer to ZZF, I forgot about them.

If the 6800GS is considered the "good" choice, then which is better eVGA 6800GS ($223 with $20 Mail-in Rebate) or the BFG 6800GS ($199)..

I'd go with the eVGA card, but that one is a N387. Newegg may be a bit cheaper.

eVGA 6800GS N397
for $216.00 clocked 400/1100

they also have the N387 clocked 350/1000 for $209.00

 

[Jman13]

I know the BFG cards (mine included) are usually successful at unlocking the extra pipes (16 pipelines from 12). Don't know about the eVGA's success rate. Doesn't mean they don't unlock well, just that I don't know.

 

[Yeraze]

Thanks guys.. Looks like I'm gonna take the eVGA 6800GS N397, probably from NewEgg.

Thanks again for the input

 

[Yeraze]

Just checkin in to let you guys know that I got the new card, and it rocks!

I posted all the gory details on my website.