Suggest me a video card (need some benchmarks)

[silverpig]

Current system:

A64 3200+ Venice @ 2.67 GHz
2x512 MB Mushkin
DFI Ultra-D
x800xl

I'm dual booting windows XP and ubuntu 32 bit right now, but I'm going back to gentoo 64 bit and will be using it exclusively (read: ditching windows). My ATI card works fine in linux but I only get maybe 60% performance out of it due to ATI's poor linux drivers. I will be selling off my x800xl and want to get an nvidia card. I don't mind downgrading as I want to go as cheap as possible but I just want to play hl2 at 1680x1050 2xAA 4xAF in linux. That is all I ever play, and it is very rare. Will a 6600GT do me? 6600GT OC? Or do I need a 6800? GT? GS? U? OC? Can I get a 7800 series card for cheap too?

I do NOT want to spend more than what I have already paid for this card, so a 7800 GTX is not an option. It is also overkill as I am only a very casual gamer.

The reason I'm doing this is because I also want to sell off my processor and get an opteron 165, so that'll eat up a bit of money itself.

Links to 64 bit linux gaming benchmarks are a huge plus. Thanks.

 

[rockman_]

Current system:

A64 3200+ Venice @ 2.67 GHz
2x512 MB Mushkin
DFI Ultra-D
x800xl

I'm dual booting windows XP and ubuntu 32 bit right now, but I'm going back to gentoo 64 bit and will be using it exclusively (read: ditching windows). My ATI card works fine in linux but I only get maybe 60% performance out of it due to ATI's poor linux drivers. I will be selling off my x800xl and want to get an nvidia card. I don't mind downgrading as I want to go as cheap as possible but I just want to play hl2 at 1680x1050 2xAA 4xAF in linux. That is all I ever play, and it is very rare. Will a 6600GT do me? 6600GT OC? Or do I need a 6800? GT? GS? U? OC? Can I get a 7800 series card for cheap too?

I do NOT want to spend more than what I have already paid for this card, so a 7800 GTX is not an option. It is also overkill as I am only a very casual gamer.

The reason I'm doing this is because I also want to sell off my processor and get an opteron 165, so that'll eat up a bit of money itself.

Links to 64 bit linux gaming benchmarks are a huge plus. Thanks.

6600GT definetely won't do you.At this resolution and AA AF even 6800GT/GS is not enought.If you want to play at this settings you will have to spend more money.

 

[lakedude]

7800GT $269 (USD) at newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150108

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

While the GF6600GT will occasionaly best the X800XL in linux gaming, I would suggest nothing less than a GF6800GS for your overall gaming enjoyment, even then we're talking about 24vs36 FPS on a linux game versus 70-80fps on the M$ version. It's terrible how slow it is some times.

There was a recent few benchmarks I saw linked to from theTechReport from the guys at Phoronix, but keep in mind X2 is a TWIMTBP game, and also is very unique in it's Vertex-Shader only implementation (no pixel shader path used) so there may be performance yet to come, but it's a good overall indication of a few shortcomings that need to be addressed;

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=389&num=1

They have driver reviews as well which would give you an idea of perforamnce on a few games and cards;

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=5590
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=353&num=1

They have a GF7800 and 2 GF6600GTs which is an interesting combination, and then the X800XL in the ATi driver set.

 

[rampage]

7800GT $269 (USD) at newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150108

I wouldnt bother with any less. Thats a lot of bang/buck. Dont know what prices are in CA tho

this one is a better choice though.. try to go either BFG or Evga (both have lifetime warranty and evga also has the stepup program)

link

between evga/bfg, it doesnt really matter unless you think you might stepup to a 7900GT. i usually just go with the cheaper of the two.