What should I upgrade to?

[gorcorps]

K, I'm pretty low on the money but know my vid card is slowing down my gaming. I got an A64 3000+, 1gig pc3200 ram, and a radeon 9600. I want to upgrade but don't really know what's a good value. I would really like to stay under $120 if at all possible. I'm looking at some 9800pro refurbs at newegg, but don't know if it's worth getting refurb. Any suggestions?

 

[KoolDrew]

I'd suggest saving just a bit more and getting an eVGA 6600GT

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

6600gt is a good upgrade so it maybe worth the 150 or a little more you pay. but don't settles for anything else.

 

[Skotos]

6600 for that budget if you can save more get a 6600gt

nevermind i thought you were pci-x sry

yeah get 9800pro or save more and get 6600gt

 

[thraxes]

A GF6600GT would be quite noticeable. Do some searching, there are deals to be found!

 

[hans030390]

for that budget get a 6600...it WILL beat a 9800 at most games (save extremely high resolutions, etc) and has shader model 3.0

BUT i would save up for a 6600gt...and get leadtek.

 

[gorcorps]

now I've heard problems with nvidia and hl2/css. Those are the games I play daily, and I don't wanna sacrifice certain things in that game even if it's better performance on everything else. Can anybody reassure me that there aren't problems (it's mainly about reflections not working or changing color)?

And, saving up is always good if I had income to save up with. My job gets me barely minimum to pay bills and such. Of course, if I sold my 9600 I could get the difference that I'm missing for a 6600 gt.

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

The 9800 pro will be very close if not equal or better to the 6600GT in HL2/css, and it can be had for 127 bux on newegg brand new. If those games are your main concern, the 9800 pro would be a very good choice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102477

 

[Hadsus]

I went from a Radeon 9800PRO to a 6800nu and have been quite happy with the performance gains. I pretty much wanted to stay around $250 which is the price point I nabbed the 6800nu, then I sold the ATI on ebay for $155.

 

[Mildlyamused]

Originally posted by: Skotos
6600 for that budget if you can save more get a 6600gt

nevermind i thought you were pci-x sry

yeah get 9800pro or save more and get 6600gt

It's PCI-ex NOT PCI-X! PCI-x and PCI-EX are very different. PCI-X is compatible with the old 32bit bus while PCI-EX is not. Be careful with your terms next time because it can cause A LOT of confusion, FYI they don't make PCI-X cards (to my knowledge anyways)...

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: hans030390
for that budget get a 6600...it WILL beat a 9800 at most games (save extremely high resolutions, etc) and has shader model 3.0

BUT i would save up for a 6600gt...and get leadtek.

Correction: a 6600 WILL NOT beat a 9800pro in any games UNLESS you overcklock it close to 6600gt speeds. In either case, neither will be as good as a 6600gt, so I'd recomment saving up like $30-40 more and getting that one.

 

[imported_g33k]

You can game with 9800pro at 1024x768 pretty good.

But for a little more money you can game 1280x1024 with a 6600gt.

 

[akshayt]

dude with radeon 9800pro gaming can be done @ 1024,1280 and 1600 for many games
some games with aa anda f @ 1024 , 1280 you may be able to play.

also,don't compare with 6600,compare with gt except in gmaes like doom3 and pop:sot etc

 

[imported_g33k]

Well I was just making a generalization about NEW games. I dont think you'll be playing any new game at 1600x1200 at average of 60+fps. You might be able to get there at 1024x768. And before you bring up HL2, I'm just talking in general.

From a 9600np, to a 9800pro will double your performance. A 6600gt will at least double and even triple your performance(in some games)for ~$40 more. IMO 6600gt will last you longer out in the future than a 9800pro that it would be worth the extra $40.

 

[gorcorps]

Ok, so I guess I'll be saving what I can. My graduation is starting so some extra $$ should be rolling in .

BTW: I play CSS right now @ 1600x900 at a tolerable rate for me. It bounces around from 100fps to just over 30fps on large maps.