Please some help in choosing new gfx card.

My last card was an ATI Radeon9800XT but unfortunately the fans stopped working and the company i bought it from are giving me a new card of my choice....plus i got to put a few pennies towards it....but price is not an option. I would just like to get the best card which is going to give me the best performance overall........so in two months time im not regreting my choice.

Unfortunately i cant go PCI Express so im stuck with AGP, What do you think i should go for...................and which Brand like ASUS / Leadtek / Gainward that kinda thing ok the 2 im im stuck between are
Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/X800_XT.html)The site i have to get it from)
GeForce 6800 Ultra (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/GeForce_6800_Ultra.html)

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/g [...] age002.gif
3DMark 2003

Heres a benchmark, i dont want to totally rely on the benchmarks although they are helpful but wouldn't like to make a decision on these stats, this is why i am asking for your help Any constructive information and help would be greatly appreciated.

The brands in those links are the only ones i can get, i think the OcUK ATI Radeon X800 XT PE is BBA not 100% sure. The BFG is not stocked on the current site i dont think, but if you could have a look and give me your opinion on the brands/cards in those links i would be most happy

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/X800_XT.html is the link for the XTPE's that are available to me at this time.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acat [...] Ultra.html is the link for the Ultra's that are available to me at this time.

Thanks for the reply i appreciate it.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Drindall on 01/06/05 09:49 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

Your really wouldn't regret either choice. Both are excellent cards with minor strengths and weaknesses, but neither will be obsolete any faster than the other. They're pretty neck and neck, the cream of today's crop.

Personally I'd go for the 6800U if they were the exact same price just because it sports Shader Model 3.0, not because it's a big deal but because I'd be stretching for a reason to pick one over the other.

But realistically, I'd go for whichever one is cheaper, because that makes more of a difference in this scenario than any other factors...

Having said all that, IMO the X800XT and 6800U are a waste of money.
If I were you I'd get a 6800GT, or better yet... give the X800XL a month's chance to arrive and save even more cash. 90% of the performance of the top solutions for 60% of the cost...



________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9700 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 332/345)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>3200+</b></font color=red> <i>(Barton 2500+ o/c 400 FSB)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>5,354</b>

Thanks for your helpful insights i do appreciate it still debating over which heheh. Its quite the funny thing there is not much difference in the price here in the UK.... infact the AOpen GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB DDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (AGP) - Retail (GX-002-CO) is more expensive than the HIS X800XTPE with ICEQII kooling, but as i said money isnt an option in this instance for once hehe its very rare that i buy a GFX card and i just want a amazing card which will last me a very long time, i play many many games, unfortunately i let myself slip with the best technology out there, but once again i would like to thank you both Thankyou for replying your both making an influence on my decision............which i still haven't made ^^

Yeah, $300 LIST price in PCI-e. I have my doubts of being able to buy an AGP X800XL for $300 in the next half year. I hope I am wrong as I'd snatch up a HIS or BBA AGP one right away if I see it for $300.


<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3400555" target="_new"> My</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=8268935" target="_new">Gamer</A>

Are you getting the XT or the XT platinum edition?

Either way, very nice.

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3400555" target="_new"> My</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=8268935" target="_new">Gamer</A>

hehe soz, its the Platinum Edition, Can't wait