Best GPU for under $300. Having problems deciding.

[juggernautspot]

Hey there guys. Thanks for all of you help in the past. I still have one problem on my new build. I just can't seem to make up my mind on what video card I should purchase. I have a 21" 16:10 wide screen monitor (1680x1050). I mainly play Source Games (Half-Life 2, CS:S, Day of Defeat, Goldeneye Source), Quake 4, and starting FEAR. I currently have a XFX 7600GT (PV-T73G-UDE3), which runs them all ok, but I am in the process of building a new system and was looking at getting a new card. My only problem is which one? I would like to stay under or around $300 unless you can persuade me as to why this card or that card is worth the extra $$$. (Keep in mind I am a poor college kid with limited funds)

I would like to stay with a nvidia card, due to my use of the purevideo decoder for all of my HD .ts files. I could use ati cards but I haven't read much about their avaio option to know if it will do the same thing.

When reading tomshardware's "Best Gaming Graphics Card for the Money - 12/06" on page 2 (http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/12/12/the_best_gaming_graphics_cards_for_the_money/page2.html)
it seems that the x1950xt wins hands down in this price range. My only concern is that with only 256MB of video memory I am going to be limited in the very near future, or is the memory speed fast enough to make up for it.

A friend of mine suggested a 7950gt which seems to be slower than the x1950xt but it has more video memory (512MB vs. 256MB). I would love to go with the 8800GTX but would like to see that ati comes up with for their direct x10 card first, before jumping on the bandwagon.

Again I would like to stay around the $300 price range unless you can convince me otherwise. I would like my build to stay under $1500, with everything I have so far I have about $350 to play with. I notice the XFX 8800GTS is only $399 after MIR.

Should I just keep my 7600GT for a while longer until more of the direct x10 cards are on the market? If I do that the $$$ i save could go to a sound card.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all of your help and have a happy new years. Be safe.

 

[apt403]

The 8800gts is the best performer by far. If you can afford it thats the card you should get. If not the 1950xt is a great card too.

 

[snowysnowcones]

1. 8800 GTS
2.X1950XT
3.7950GT

 

[bikee4]

I'd stick with your 7600 gt for awhile yet.

 

[k-]

Video card memory has doesnt not matter at all.

and will not matter for at least 2+ years. 256mb more than enough.

 

[juggernautspot]

Video card memory doesn't matter? That is not what I have seen/been told.

 

[apt403]

To a certain extent it matters, like you'll see a difference between 64mb and 256mb, but unless your gaming at a high res like 2560x1600 there wont be a noticable difference between 512mb and 256mb of gfx memory.

 

[nem2k]

a lot of people are rooting for the 8800GTS, but doesnt it make more sense to wait for the R600 to be released to see how it compares before pulling the trigger on a dx10 card?

 

[apt403]

a lot of people are rooting for the 8800GTS, but doesnt it make more sense to wait for the R600 to be released to see how it compares before pulling the trigger on a dx10 card?

I highly doubt that the R600 is going to be in the $300 range.

 

[nem2k]

i know but just like nvidia did with the 8800, i expect ati will release a cheaper version like the GTS

 

[HoundDog]

I'm in a similar situation and I have decided to go with the 1950XT. Mabye even something less if I want to upgrade to dx10 soon. I currently have a Hercules GeForce 2 and bought it at a premium price. I think it got the mileage I needed. It doesn't make sense to get the 8800 if you are considering an upgrade again . Why drop $400 now? If you can truly wait, just keep what you have and make sure what youare building will work with a future card.

 

[juggernautspot]

First off thanks for all of your responses. It helped out a bunch.
It looks like I am going to go with the X1950XT since a friend of mine wants to buy my 7600GT for ~$110. That makes it a little bit easier to afford the X1950XT and it should be able to help push those games on my 1680x1050 monitor enough for now anyways, at least until the Dx10 cards are more readily available.
Again thanks for you time and help.

 

[RyanMicah]

I'd stick with your 7600 gt for awhile yet.

That's pretty condescending. Ok, so it isn't. But some kid (no name mentioned) with two posts shouldn't be PMing me about how he doesn't like me. Grow up spud. Condescending enough? Besides, upgrading to the 8800 GTS isn't such a bad move. He'll be future-proof for a good while.