Best AGP card under $250?

[over_c]

Hi, I am currently in the process of upgrading my system. I am in dire need of a decent video card for gaming on a 19" 1600x1200 monitor (which I haven't bought yet).

I can't quite justify $300 or more for a card so I am looking at either a Radeon 9800 Pro or a GeForce 6600 GT. Which do you recommend? And, if you are persuasive, I might be convinced to spend a few more bucks on a better card.

Thanks for your advice.

Relevant specs:
Intel P4 2.8C
Asus P4P800
2x256MB Kingston HyperX PC3500 (will be upgrading to 2x512 soon)
MSI Ti4200, 128MB, AGP 8x

 

[HardWareBoss]

For $299 you can buy BFG 6800OC at Best Buy. Best Buy has PNY on sale this week at 25% off. 6600GT under $190.

 

[Ponzu]

Same boat here. I've been hoping to hold out and get an x800 xl but my lack of patience finally got the better of me and I got the 9800 pro.

My plan is to use the 9800 pro for a few months until my x800 xl comes in (I pre-ordered on ati.com). Once supply is abundant the price of the other cards should be more reasonable.

Some local guy is trying to sell me a 6800 gt for $300 which I may go with instead of the x800xl

 

[pauldh]

Are you in the USA? If so you should be able to find a plain GF6800 for about $250, assuming you have a couple weeks to hunt around. Otherwise, if you have a BestBuy retail store, hard to beat a <A HREF="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1099382222003&skuId=6949822&type=product" target="_new">$188 GF6600GT AGP</A>. 25% off Sale ends Saturday, so act quickly if you want this card. Sold out online, have to select in-store pickup.



<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>

 

[HardWareBoss]

When are they going to do 25% off BFG??????

 

[over_c]

Ok. I hadn't realized that the GF6800 was available for less than $300. Stupid me. Looking at Toms VGA charts it is apparent that a 6800 is the way to go. Any brands to avoid?
I can get a BFG Tech 6800 OC for $280 online. Will I find a better deal than that anywhere? Thanks again.

 

[pauldh]

I am in dire need of a decent video card for gaming on a 19" 1600x1200 monitor

Just be prepared to give up those 1600X1200 hopes real quick. None of these cards will be able to play all of todays games at 16x12 and high details, never mind AA or AF, or future games. You are picking basically a DREAM resolution to game at, and only dream cards will run new games at those resoluttions. So basically 1600x1200 means be prepared to pay $350 or above for at least a GF6800GT. Otherwise you are talking 1280x1024 - 1024x768 capable cards here for many new/ most future games.

My 9800 pro has already been reduced to a 1024x768 card in some games. HL2 will play 1280x1024 high just fine, but Farcry, Doom3, and MOHPA all need to be reduced in detail levels and/or resolution. :frown:



<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>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Pauldh on 01/21/05 04:55 PM.</EM></FONT></P>