Need advice: Which video card should I buy?

[UsernameX]

I just wanted to get a feel for which video card I should purchase for my system:

CPU: P4 - 3.2GHZ w/ HT (Socket 478)
RAM: 2GB - DDR333
Current GPU: Nvidia FX5900Ultra 256MB
Sound Card: Creative Audigy 2
Powersupply: Antec 450WATT
OS: Windows XP Pro
Motherboard: Intel PERL865 (or 860 i can't remember, but it has AGP 8x)

I was thinking about purchasing the 7800GS (as I don't want to upgrade to an PCI-X system just yet) Or should I save my money and go with a 6800? Is the extra 100 bucks really worth it?

Anyways, thanks for any advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Anoobis]

Depends on what you do with it and how long you plan on keeping that system. It still has a lot of life left in it and I think a video card upgrade would be a nice addition to it. IMO, the 7800GS is overpriced. This Sapphire X800GTO would be a nice upgrade or you could go with the 6800GS for more money, but I wouldn't spend more than that on it.

 

[Stevemeister]

There's a big performance difference between the 7 and 6 series GPU's I went from an FX5200 in a PCI slot on an old MSI board with a P4 Northwood 478 to an eVGA 7800GT PCIE on a newer MSI board with an AMD64 4000+ and there's no comparison. The new system runs infinitely better with everything maxed out at 1280 x 1024 than the old system did at 800 x 600. If in doubt save your cash and upgrade the lot later. I've usualuy found that if you upgrade something that's not that good - yes you'll see some improvement but it may not be that good and eventually you'll want to change again and you'll have spent more than you wanted.

 

[raven_87]

Pick up the 6800GS for around $200. Throw on your choice of brand HS/F.
Since the AGP is 130nm NV40, unlock the card to 16x1 and the 5vp.
Then start clocking the high hell out of it...

If the flash is successful, and you get some decent frequency increases,
then the preformance should be up there with the 78GS, the best part, your saving $100.

 

[pauldh]

The problem is, NV didn't give us a 7800GT AGP, just a much slower 7800GS instead.

For you, a $180 X800GTO, $200 6800GS, or $290 7800GS would all be good choices. Our biggest beef with the 7800GS is just how much better a card (7900GT or X1800XT) can be bought in PCI-e for the same price.

Here is a decent buy; $200 shipped for a slightly factory overclocked BFG 6800GS with lifetime warranty:
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=search&item=14-143-045
Note, the X800GTO is just as fast as this BFG for less money. But It all depends on your preference and the games you play as to which is better. If you have more to spend, but won't go PCI-e, go to ewiz.com and the XFX7800GS is $286 shipped. If you have use for video capture and a tv tuner, the BBA AIW X800XT is a couple bucks cheaper than the 7800GS, but would lose almost of of the time performancewise. Stilll clearly better than the 6800GS or X800GTO though.

 

[thecidsound]

I suggest the agp x800gto. Theyre great overclockers.

 

[rmthompson]

The problem is, NV didn't give us a 7800GT AGP, just a much slower 7800GS instead.

For you, a $180 X800GTO, $200 6800GS, or $290 7800GS would all be good choices. Our biggest beef with the 7800GS is just how much better a card (7900GT or X1800XT) can be bought in PCI-e for the same price.

Here is a decent buy; $200 shipped for a slightly factory overclocked BFG 6800GS with lifetime warranty:
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=search&item=14-143-045
Note, the X800GTO is just as fast as this BFG for less money. But It all depends on your preference and the games you play as to which is better. If you have more to spend, but won't go PCI-e, go to ewiz.com and the XFX7800GS is $286 shipped. If you have use for video capture and a tv tuner, the BBA AIW X800XT is a couple bucks cheaper than the 7800GS, but would lose almost of of the time performancewise. Stilll clearly better than the 6800GS or X800GTO though.

I AM SO VERY ANGRY! I was going to order that 6800GS OC and I waited until this morning.. and they are not only SOLD out, but the free shipping is gone, and so is the AWESOME 200 dollar pricetag...

I guess this means I am going to have to get the damn X800GTO. I know they are NEARLY the same... but, I liked this one being OC'd out of the box, where I didn't have to mess with that.

DAMMIT!

 

[rmthompson]

The problem is, NV didn't give us a 7800GT AGP, just a much slower 7800GS instead.

For you, a $180 X800GTO, $200 6800GS, or $290 7800GS would all be good choices. Our biggest beef with the 7800GS is just how much better a card (7900GT or X1800XT) can be bought in PCI-e for the same price.

Here is a decent buy; $200 shipped for a slightly factory overclocked BFG 6800GS with lifetime warranty:
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=search&item=14-143-045
Note, the X800GTO is just as fast as this BFG for less money. But It all depends on your preference and the games you play as to which is better. If you have more to spend, but won't go PCI-e, go to ewiz.com and the XFX7800GS is $286 shipped. If you have use for video capture and a tv tuner, the BBA AIW X800XT is a couple bucks cheaper than the 7800GS, but would lose almost of of the time performancewise. Stilll clearly better than the 6800GS or X800GTO though.

I AM SO VERY ANGRY! I was going to order that 6800GS OC and I waited until this morning.. and they are not only SOLD out, but the free shipping is gone, and so is the AWESOME 200 dollar pricetag...

I guess this means I am going to have to get the damn X800GTO. I know they are NEARLY the same... but, I liked this one being OC'd out of the box, where I didn't have to mess with that.

DAMMIT!
haha, you should NEVER pass up a good deal. Too bad for you my friend.


@UsernameX

I wouldn't get thr 7800GS, look for something like 6800GS, X800GTo, maybe you can find a X850XT for under $200.

Since I have a crappy computer anyway, I think I will get more enjoyment out of a X800GTO and a nice speaker set, since my speakers suck ass...

The x800GTO will be pretty damn good, but I just wish I had bought the other with the lifetime warranty and what not.

@ Cheifvalue I can get a X800GTO AGO the nice powersupply I need and a Cyber Acoustics 45 watts 4.1 speaker set all for 254 shipped!

NOW THATS A DEAL!