http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/0 [...] index.html
 
Detailed video card specifications and reviews are great - that is, if you have the time to do the research. But at the end of the day, what a gamer needs is the best video card available within a certain budget.

I'd have to disagree with the comment that X1950XT prices have increased. There was only one card that was offered at $160 after rebate (the Sapphire one), and it has simply gone out of stock (probably forever).
 
On the other hand, there is sub-$200 deal on another X1950XT, but this has 512MB of RAM - king of the budget hill indeed.

Interesting to note that the 8600gt and 2600xt are now viable options because of better drivers and a price drop.  But where is that $250 card from ati that will compete with Nvidia?  They haven't competed in that space for almost a year!

From what I understand, Ati is prepping both a dual-GPU 2600 XT and a cut down 2900 for that price segment.
 
But yep, the 8800 GTS has owned that important price point for a long time now.

Yea I have heard those rumors too.  I think the dual 2600xt is coming soon so I'll be interested to see how it performs, but the last time I heard the 2900 upgrade might not be out until early 08.

So if i am reading this right then the poeple with agp and a limiting psu as far as the 1950 pro went will have the chance of getting a similar performance and hd capability so a htpc in time from the 8600gt/gts and HD2600xt when they come out in agp?
 Any idea on price?
 Mactronix

This is a great list for those looking for $100+ video cards (I fit into this category normally). However, ever consider a great bang under $50 card? I wouldn't say gaming would be a priority, but it'd be nice. The biggest concern to me would be those making a media center PC, and the ability to play high definition video. I know a few guys who will take an old system and basically make a toy computer out of it. HD video, TV out capability, and at least one DVI port. Needed cables for tv hookup are a huge plus.

I don't think you can even play HD video with that "crappy" of a card.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video [...] 11516.html
 
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video [...] 74142.html
 
I don't know about these. The 2nd one is only GDDR2!

 
A ~$50 Radeon 2400 or Geforce 8500 can offload more HD video processing than a 2900 XT or 8800 Ultra.
 
The new Dx10 midrange has alot of great video playback features.

 
I considered it, but I don't want people to think htye can get acceptable gaming performance for $50.
 
The sub-$100 category frequently has cards in the $80 range, but there's nothting all that compelling that can game passably for $50.

Has the inprovement in performance due to the drivers for the 8600s and 2600s been carried through to the 2900s and 8800s ?
 Mactronix

Regarding the 8800GTX:
 

 
I play on a 22" LCD, so 1680x1050 resolution.  Does this mean that the performance difference on a 8800GTS 320MB vs. 8800GTX is not significantly noticeable for my set-up?  (system is an E6400 w/ 4GB DDR 667MHz RAM)
 
Games playing currently:
Guild Wars
World of Warcraft
Half-Life 2
Tomb Raider Anniversary
Waiting on Crysis...
 

Not noticeable in Guild Wars, WoW or HL2 (both will run maxed flawlessly), Tomb Raider maybe, Crysis yes. But what Cleeve means is that no 8800GTS owner would crave for a 8800GTX because of low frame rates/crappy video settings. The GTS is already an extremely good video card and most people would be entirely satisfied with it. In other words, no need to feel bad about not shelling out that extra 220$ for the top video card.

Thanks.  I went for a "performance" card before... currently using the X1950PRO, but really want a high-end card.  First I was waiting on AMD's response to the G80, and now I'm waiting for the next round of DX 10.1 cards.  I think someone on this board said, buy the best card you can afford now, or you'll be waiting forever.  Hmm, he was probably right...
 

 
Where do you guys get your prices? I just got another EVGA 7600GT for my spare machine from Newegg for $89.99 and after a $15 MIR, it will be $74.99. This will put it even further in the sub $100 category where you list the 7600GS.

Since some of the 2600XTs have lower speed memory than the reference speed, that means that you should have a guaranteed overclock of 100MHz on the memory as long as it isnt lower grade yes?

There's no mention of the 7950GT 512MB AGP for $215 on Newegg (out of stock right now).
EDITED: Nevermind, I saw the one blurb comparing it to the 1950 XT AGP which is more expensive on Newegg not the opposite.

 
Usually newegg, or wherever I can find them.
 
I say these things over and over again in the artticle though: prices change on a near daily basis, and rebates aren't considered in the best cards list.  

@Cleeve:
Ah, that's understandable. However, thanks for the guides regardless.