On a budget, I don't game that much, but want to be able to play Bio-Shock, and some of the Need for Speed series games....

I'm thinking of getting a AMD 5600+ or 6000+ setup, and wanted a decent video card. I want a 8800GT card, from all the reviews I read.....but it really blows my budget.

8800GT card comes with 100$ more price tag over the 8600GT, and likely requires a much larger PS.

In between the 8600GT and the 8800GT are the folllowing from slowest to fastest:

8600GTS
8800GS
9600GT

what resolution do you want to play it in

I have a 19" 1280x1024 max, but having a pixel problem so it may get replaced with some sort of widescreen model....20" perhaps?

8800 gt... you can get one for 135 dollars at newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121224

if thats the resolution you want to play it in 8600gt will be enough but not the best if you go any higher i reccomend a 8800gt

here is one that is cheap and it is better than the 8600 gt

http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814150279

On the 8600GT make sure you're pricing the one with DDR3 memory, the DDR2 ones run much slower. With the ATI4850 due out in 2 weeks i think the graphic card sector is going to be shaken up a bit. I just don't know which way it'll be shaken though............ probably worth the time to wait a couple weeks and see how things are settling out pricewise.

if you dont want to pay for a 8800GT, why not get this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150275

with the MIR its pretty cheap

the xfx is better than the asus one because it doesn't come with a preinstalled aftermarket cooler which i wouldn't want asus to put on for me.
the xfx has free cod4 and has instant savings not mail and rebate.

the only thing that is better in the asus is the 512 mb, better than the 256mb on the xfx.

the asus isn't worth all the cons that come with it

I like the looks of the XFS.....I should dig around newegg a bit more I am thinking.......

Don't get a card with 256 MB.

my only other quick concern is compatibility with Via Chipsets.....is this something I need worry about with a PCI 2.0 card? I read a negative review on newegg, so now worried on MB selection.....

the 8600 GT is just garbage even for current gen games. I have it for like a day, and returned it for a 9600 GT.

In Unreal 3 I got around 30 frames with it while with the 9600 GT I get 70+ both resolutions at 1280x1024.

And not that it really matters but the 8600 GT, when I ran 3dmark06, it looked like it was stressing out. It didn't even manage to get 30 fps in mos tparts.

While the 9600 GT maintained a 40+ for the most.

Either way, I wouldn't recommend the 8600 GT, very overpriced compared to cards, such as th 8800 GS (ALOT better) which could be found for about 100$.

if I could recommend a midrange card, I would recommend a 9600 GT, since if you choose to replace it in a couple of months your wallet won't hurt that much and it can take the higher resolution fine.

My secondary computer has a 9600 GT in it, and a cheap 1 gig stick ram (533 mhz)

and a 5000+ BE and I can play unreal 3 at 1080p, Hl2, COD4

Etc.

PS

power consumption isn't as high as you'd think with the G92 and G94 cards and your mobo should be fine, the 9600 GT is runnning on a old Asus Mobo, nforce 570

umm 8800gs and the 9600gso are the same card, the 9600gt isn't much faster than the 8800gs in the long run u are better off going with the 8800gs/9600gso b/c as time goes on the amount of shader processors is what is going to allow ur card to have better longevity...

very simply saying one of the single most important aspects of the gpu is the amount of shader processors/ stream processors,

9600gt has only 64 where as the 9600gso/8800gs has 96.

go with the latter b/c the performance is on par with the 9600gt and it will last you longer.

I am not trying to say that TMU's, ROP's, memory type, frequency, and bandwidth aren't important among other specifications, but am trying to tell you that if you want the best bang for your buck ignore the 9600gt and just grab a good 9600gso or the 8800gs, especially if you play on lower resolutions, like anything lower than 1280x1024. even a little higher will still be more than acceptable.

he stated he's going maybe 20" and or replacing monitors, since his has Dead pixels

I had a 8600gts. While not the speediest card it played Unreal Tournament fine @ 1280x1024 no AA just fine. Averaging more than 60fps. A 8600gt will give you at least 50fps average.

Call of Duty 4 played fine too. Averaging 50fps. Of course no AA.

Games like bioshock was very slow on the 8600gts. Max quality of 25-30fps average which is playable but jerky.

To OP: I suggest a 8800gs for modern gaming. Not much more than 8600gts but 2x the performance sometimes more.

Newegg Call of duty special is officially over. You are b