New graphics card

[Matt_2000_17]

I'm from jolly old England and will be going to Las Vegas on Monday. I'm considering purchasing a graphics card over there to place in my system here at home but i'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions? I don't have a budget coz i'm not sure how much i'll have to spend so any suggestions you make please provide the price and any links if possible.

AMD Athlon64 2800+, Gigabyte GA-K8VT800 motherboard
768MB PC3200 Samsung DDR, Gigabyte GeforceFX 5900XT 128MB DDR, Maxtor 80GB ATA HDD, NEC 2500A 8x DVD Writer, MSI DVD Drive

 

[karamazov]

I've always been partial to 9800 Pro all in wonder by ATI. Buts its rather pricey.

As I sit up in my bed looking at all the stars, I begin to wonder... WHERE THE HECK IS MY ROOF!?

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

The buyer's guide by Spitfire should help, but here's my suggestions from OK to better.

R9600XT (the very lowest you want to go to bring back home for new games)

R9800Pro/XT (best of the last generation, some R9800Pros can be had for about $150US +/- some change.

X800Pro (very tricky to know what to buy but good results, and if it can be had for a great price (~$300-350 will do wll)

GF6800GT (more capable in most cases than the regular X800pro [baring moding]), if you can get it for near the same price as an X800Pro, then a better deal, and usually the best bang for the buck.

X800XT/GF6800U (these cards are the top of the line, if you have the money (especially after a win at the tables) they can be a good buy, but don't pay much more than $500 for them, as then that's well above <A HREF="http://www.ati.com/buy/pricespcusa.html" target="_new">their MSRP</A>, and really if you can wait even after the poor Euro-buyer gouging people do, you might end up ahead at home, and then it starts becoming an issue of exchange rates, the VAT on the same card at home, etc. These cards are usually hard to find, and usually at a premium. Try and get an X800XTPlatinumEdition over a regular XT (unless the regular XT is well under $500), also if you see a GF6800Ultra Extreme, they are better than regular Ultras, and far more rare too.

Hope that helps.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[pauldh]

It's really hard to answer that question based on the info you gave. Is it for your system or another system. 256-bit Radeon 9800 Pro's are oftn under $200 here now, but seeing as you have an FX5900XT, it's not a huge leap in performance.

Going up in price, the GF6800GT can be found for $350-$400. Better say $400 + Nevada sales tax? as you will have to go to local shops or retail stores and not order online. Also the X800 Pro is the same price as the 6800GT.

I'd check into what retail chains are available out where you are going. Also if you can find out about small local shops. You can also look over the Sunday ads before you leave and see if something goes on sale. Best Buy, Comp USA, and Circuit City are 3 of the major retail chains that MAY be in that area. You should be able to see their advertised in store sales on there websites on Sunday.

Anyway, give a little more info and a general price range, and we can maybe help more. Also, make sure you know your prices from back home for various card of interest, so you know if it's a bargain here or not.

Hopefully somebody here has been to Las Vegas and can give you definate places to shop. Too bad you weren't near Fry's in California, as their sales are incredible sometimes.


*** EDIT: You are in luck. There is a Fry's Electronics in Las Vegas. Personally, i wouldn't pass up a chance to shop at that place, based on some of the crazy sales they throw.

<A HREF="http://www.frys.com" target="_new">http://www.frys.com</A>

************


ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 1GB Corsair XMS 4000 Pro Series, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Pauldh on 09/22/04 08:49 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[pauldh]

Hey, you posted while I was typing.


ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 1GB Corsair XMS 4000 Pro Series, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[pauldh]

Not sure if Fry's retail stores would match prices from their Outpost website, but it is worth a shot.

<A HREF="http://shop1.outpost.com/category/Outpost/PCtab/Video+Cards/Shop+by+Type+of+Video+Card/AGP+Video+Cards/" target="_new">http://shop1.outpost.com/category/Outpost/PCtab/Video+Cards/Shop+by+Type+of+Video+Card/AGP+Video+Cards/</A>

They have a $350 X800 Pro and $180 BBA Radeon 9800 Pro, and ocasionally 6800GT's for $350 and 6800's nu's for $250.



ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 1GB Corsair XMS 4000 Pro Series, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt