Picking out a new graphics card

[MTLink]

With all the new games coming out, graphic requirements are climbing higher and higher. Some of the night maps on Battlefield 2: SF are pretty choppy, and Doom 3 lighting is killing me. I need a solution.

So...

I've decided it's time for me to get a new graphics card and add on some more RAM. Here's my current setup:

-Shuttle AN35-N Ultra mobo
-AMD Athlon 2600+ XP
-Inno3D nVidia GeForce FX5700LE 128MB AGP8x
-512MB Dual-Channel RAM (256MB x2)
-And some other non-relevant stuff...

For my graphics card, I'm looking for something that is:

-AGP
-Preferably nVidia
-Easily overclockable
-Quiet
-Does not produce much heat
-Doesn't take a sh**load of power to run
-Budget: Around $150, I will push it, but no more than $200

Here are some cards that I currently have in mind:

AOpen 6600 256MB

AOpen 6600GT 128MB

Asus 6600LE 256MB

Asus 6800XT

Chaintech 6600 256MB

Chaintech 6600GT 128MB

Diablotek 6600 256MB; Never heard of this company; Is it just me, or does the fan look exactly the same as the AOpen card I linked to above?

Gigabyte 6600 256MB

XFX 6600 256MB

These two have different fans, but they're both 6600GTs 128MB - Huh?

XFX 6600GT 128MB

XFX 6600GT 128MB (different fan)

I would rather get a cheaper card (non-GT 6600) that OCs easily. Unfortunately, I can't find reviews for any of these except from the stores.

That 6800XT is intriguing. It's less than some 6600GTs, but the clock speeds are rather low...

If anyone has any more suggestions feel free to post them.

ALSO, please do not tell me to switch to PCI-E. Many people still have AGP mobos, and AGP is not dead yet.

 

[cleeve]

Ignore the 6600XT.

Any 6600 GT will do the job for you. XFX is probably the best bet (I think they come stock overclocked and have a good rep).

 

[MTLink]

It's a 6800XT,.

According to the reviews on Newegg, many people claim that it runs hot, even at idle...

I also found another card that's confusing me.

6600LE 256MB

It doesn't say from what company, but the card looks exactly the same as the Gigabyte 6600GT 128MB one.

But like i said previously, I would rather spend less money on a non-GT 6600 that is easy to overclock, because my budget is rather tight. I'll only spend $200 if I can find an AGP 6800GS.

 

[cleeve]

The 6800 XT's are 8 pipeline cards, I wouldn't bother with 'em.

The 6600 LEs are horrible, not even as good as a regular 6600, and not even in the same league as the 6600 GT. They are crippled vanilla 6600's, I believe they have 4 pipelines disabled so they're a 4 pipeline card. yuck.

The only good alternative to the 6600 GT in this price class might be the 12-pipe 6800, if you can find one. But it'd perform about the same as the 6600 GT anyway.

A used 6800 GT or 6800 Ultra will even be over $250. They are hard to find.

If you didn't have such a strong brand preference, you could have a card that blows all the others in this price class away, the 12-pipeline X800 GTO...
6800 GS performance but it's available today...

 

[the_guru]

You shouldn't get anything less than a 6600GT and you have to little RAM for BF2. 1GB is minimum.

 

[MTLink]

512 is the minimum requirement, I'm looking at the box right now.

 

[the_guru]

512 is the minimum requirement, I'm looking at the box right now.

512MB is minimum to run it. 1GB is minimum to run it without any chopping.

 

[raven_87]

Yea, but its never best to run ANY game with the minimum requirements.
Your RAM could use a touch up when you get the cash.

Anyway. I see you said $200 was your limit.
Here's my .2 cents.

You could, if your feeling lucky, pick up a 6800LE and pray it unlocks to either 12x1 or best case scenerio 16x1 and 6 vertex shaders.
Or, wait until the 6800GS AGP hits shelves. Shouldnt be too long, and
considering the PCI-E line is around $190-220...AGP shouldnt be any more expensive ( at least I hope not)

My other recommendation (Just think about it before you say no)
Would be an AGP X800GT---depending if the card carries the 420 or 430 core, can be quite unlockable as well.

 

[cleeve]

My other recommendation (Just think about it before you say no)
Would be an AGP X800GT---depending if the card carries the 420 or 430 core, can be quite unlockable as well.

Wouldn't even have to unlock a GTO. Would be a $200 ass-kicker right out of the box...

 

[raven_87]

That is true.

Shame you dont have a PCI-E 16x slot...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131424


Again: Look for a 6800GS AGP...that or the GTO will most likely be your best shot. Money $$ is on the 6800GS though.