4850 vs. 9800gtx vs. 8800gt vs. 9600gt

I'm sure these sorts of questions are asked a lot, but I thought I would ask anyways. My last part for my budget gaming build (E4600) is the video card. At my local fry's, there are 4 different models that are in my price range, which is $100-200. Which would be the best to pick up? Here they are:

BFG 9800gtx

4850

8800gt (BFG, xfx, eVGA).

9600gt

Thanks for any info!

4850

Just to add, I'll be using a 22" LCD.

Also, there's currently a deal at fry's where I can get the 9800gtx for $200 with a $50 rebate, where the 4850 is just $200.

I'd go for the 8800gts 512mb, but I'd like to just buy from fry's and they don't have that price. It's more expensive...

Oh, I know. It's just that right now I'd rather drive 10 minutes to Fry's, which is the only computer store locally with good prices, than wait for shipping. I've built two computers entirely from online sources; the first was from newegg parts and the second was mainly from Ebay. This time I just want to drive and buy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102747
HD4850 $159.99 after MIR

And it is funny how you can get the 9800GTX today for $150, when it cost $350 about 2 weeks ago.

EDIT: we have to be happy about the ways things are going so far in the computer industry for the consumer. We used to have to pay $400 for an entry-level dual core 3800 X2. now we pay almost nothing. Same with ram. DDR2 used to cost $200 for 2 sticks of the stuff. Now it costs us $30. As well as video cards, without competition from ATI we would still be paying $400 for an 8800GTS G80.

Isn't that the truth! Just a year ago pricing did not seem to be as aggressive as it is now. It's great when you can buy a 'good' video card for under $200. Rather than a 'decent' video card for under $200.

It's also nice to see that s_nova4 can buy a 9800GTX for $150 after MIR from a retail store. Usually retail stores are nearly double the price as GPU's online.

Have you ever been to Fry's? Overall, their prices are usually high compared to online, but when you find their deals, they are a steal. I got a E4600 and motherboard for $100, when the E4600 is $115 alone on newegg.com. And, many new console games are $5-7 cheaper on release week than all other local stores. But, like I said, you have to look for the deals or it's not such a great deal

You obviously haven't been reading my posts. I have bought online tons and tons of times. It's what I usually do. But, this time I am buying locally, and I'm not losing that much money because of it. I think I will come out about even because I have found some better deals than online, but I have also lost a few bucks on a couple items.

its still funny how a 8800gtx ultra is still like 500$

Hey folks, I'll put my two cents in.
I have an 8800gt 1gb version and it is riddled with problems, all of which through rigorous study I have discovered are widespread throughout the 8800gt world, including lockups with sound loops and unstable factory overclocks. I have underclocked my card to Nvidia recommended stats and still have problems. Therefore, I am quite ready to take my distributor up on my 30-day money back guarantee and look into another card.
It is my understanding that the 4850 is a neck-and-neck runner to the 8800gt and I think that may be my next venture.
I have a modest system consisting of :

Processor: E8400 (no OC) 3.0ghz
GPU: Zotac 8800gt
OS: Windows xp
RAM: OCZ Reaper 1066
Audio: Soundblaster Audigy2
Mobo: Biostar TP43
(pretty budget system)

I get a 3dmark06 score of 11880 so the 8800gt performs plenty good. I just wish it didn't suffer the hang-ups that it does; it's very unfortunate.
So, anyway, I believe I will be switching to the 4850, unless any of you have a better recommendation.

Peace

Hemphill

"Any step ahead is a step in the right direction!"

You pretty much listed the cards in order of descending power; the 9800GTX is above the 8800GT, and that above the 9600GT. The 4850 will trump the 9800GTX by a small but consistent amount, though it might widen when AA is enabled; unlike with the HD 2000 and 3000 cards, ATi seems to now hold an edge over nVidia when AA is used, or at least, the performance hit is nowhere near as bad.

The last month or two saw nVidia make the quickest and most drastic price drops in the history of graphics cards, and possibly one of the most drastic and quick drops in the history of computer hardware. (European PS2s an iPhones come to mind as also potential competitors)

Just to note here, the 4850 readily beats the 8800GT across the board; it is *NOT* comparable, as it currently beats every nVidia card save for three: the GTX 260, GTX 280, and 9800GX2. And yes, it is notably more expensive than the 8800GT today, as a result. (or more of, nVidia was forced to slash prices badly to compete)

Just be aware that the card appears to run rather hot, (it has a single-slot cooler for a card that burns 110w, when normally they start putting 2-slot coolers on once they hit 100w) and there are apparently SOME scattered problems with people dealing with the early drivers for them; unlike the past couple years' cards, AMD did an overhaul of parts of the architecture when they made RV770; it's not just an RV670 with 150% more processing units slapped in.

I am assuming that by the date of these posts that he already bought the 9800GTX?

I have two 9800GTX in SLI and they are great.

I also have a 4850 that I am having some driver issues with or something. Not great. So I say go for the 9800 if you haven't decided yet.

And all you people who are queer for the 4850, read all the tests. The 4850 does not blow away the 9800GTX. They are close, with the 9800GTX winning some matchups.

I am glad ATI is competing. I bought one, ok. Now I am unhappy that it does not work right.

Now can ATI learn to make drivers that work? How hard can that be? The guy from Omega does it and he is actually better then the company that designs the board????

Oh ya, and talking about chips, the NVIDIA chip blows away the ATI. It takes two ATI 4870's to beat a GTX 280. Of course they are cheaper as well, but its the price not the chip that is hurting Nvidia.
Come on.

Nah, I haven't yet decided. I have been messing around a little with my 8800gt still. I have isolated a good many of the hang-ups to my audio configuration. Except for the times when my card would freeze and appear as a shattered mirror then reboot, most freezes were accompanied by distorted or looped audio. I uninstalled my SB and every driver involved and went with the onboard Audio. After that, I was able to flash the gpu bios back to the OC settings and haven't had another episode...but I'm still testing; it can't be that simple.
If this problem turns out to be an Nvidia problem, I'm a little hesitant to go with the 9800gtx. Although, I am blown away by the performance (while they're working) of the Nvidia cards over ATI, I do appreciate low-maintenence stuff. Bear in mind, however, that I did upgrade from an ancient x850xt pe! So I really cant comment on any recent ATI releases, save my kid's x1950 which I must say, for what it is, is a great little card.

I appreciate everyone's input and will take it all into consideration

Hemphill

"Any step ahead is a step in the right direction!"

lol 4850 isnt anywhere near 9800 gtx what are u talking about.