best bang for buck under $175?

[dinkster9]

I was just wondering about some of the new video cards out there. On pricewatch or even used on ebay you can pick up a r9800pro for around $100usd now (wow) just wondering if for about 60 or so more dollars if there is another card worthy of getting? like the 6600 or x800 6800gt (course hard to get one of those under 175...)

Recommendations and best manufactor would be great, like 10 different companies make just the 9800pro right? so like which one is best.

For games, i play WOW, ut2003, a few oldies, etc..specifically i do play some doom3, but mostly i'm still addicted to Diablo 2. So i card that performs well for diablo 2 would be best, but something that can also play doom3 too.

<font color=purple>A7n8xDX2.0|B2500+@200x11=3200+(2.2ghz)(1.775v)Corsair1024pc3500C2(2-2-2-11)R9700P(349C/334M)160Gx2WD7200RPM 8MB HD|Enermax460W|T:43C@N,50C@FL,MB 28C|3DMark2001 17668|3DMark2003 5268</font color=purple>

 

[RX8]

the women on the corner are the best BANG for buck i have ever had.

<font color=purple> Dont expect Miracles humans made them. The blind are easily led by the blind </font color=purple>

 

[dinkster9]

if you are paying 175$ for a Bang...might i suggest getting into pyrotechnics?

<font color=purple>A7n8xDX2.0|B2500+@200x11=3200+(2.2ghz)(1.775v)Corsair1024pc3500C2(2-2-2-11)R9700P(349C/334M)160Gx2WD7200RPM 8MB HD|Enermax460W|T:43C@N,50C@FL,MB 28C|3DMark2001 17668|3DMark2003 5268</font color=purple>

 

[cleeve]

Please forgive m'learned colleagues.

I would recommend a 9800 PRO for cheep. Once you hit the $160 price point I'd bypass the 8-pipe 6600GT for a plain 12-pipe X800, you can get those for about $160 if you have PCI express...

If AGP though, they cost about $200, at that price in AGP you're nearing 6800GT territory, the obvious choice.

________________
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[RX8]

pyrotechnics cool!

<font color=purple> Dont expect Miracles humans made them. The blind are easily led by the blind </font color=purple>

 

[dinkster9]

Thanks for *the* only useful response! . Is there a particular model of the 9800pro I should look for? I do need AGP, so is there a particular model of the 6800GT that has a good pricepoint?

<font color=purple>A7n8xDX2.0|B2500+@200x11=3200+(2.2ghz)(1.775v)Corsair1024pc3500C2(2-2-2-11)R9700P(349C/334M)160Gx2WD7200RPM 8MB HD|Enermax460W|T:43C@N,50C@FL,MB 28C|3DMark2001 17668|3DMark2003 5268</font color=purple>

 

[pauldh]

Just make sure it's a 256-bit 128MB 9800 pro. If you can find one, the HIS ICeQII is nice because it has a biq quiet VGA silencer on it, otherwise a reference design card will do. The Sapphire Ultimate is another exotic version which is totally silent (passive heatpipe) and can be found refurbed on newegg/chiefvalue for $110.

Going above $200, I like the X800XL over the 6800GT now as it can be sometimes be found for $230's new, which I'm yet to see a NEW 6800GT (256MB)for that price. Refurbed they can be found for that, but I shy away from high priced refurbs unless it's like the ATI ones with 3 year warranty. If a new 6800GT is within $20, sure that would do also. Inbetween, the 6600GT isn't priced that well now in AGP. I'd prefer a cheaper 6800le and ulock the pipes, or just buy a 6800 12-pipe. Another card that can't be ruled out in AGP is the X800 pro. It falls just shy of the X800XL and 6800GT, but if priced right it can be a bargain. Also look out for X800XT's as I have seen those for just over $300, putting them only $30 or so over a 6800GT.

Anyway, deals change and it all depends where you live,how hard you look, and what the prices are. I have not seen any killer deals online today, but will post one if I come upon one. But a 9800 pro is a nice starting point. Too bad you didn't shop a few weeks ago. ATI had a X800 pro refurb(possibly new) in both AGP and PCI-e, which was $179. They are gone now though. Unlike neweggs 15 day warranty, this had ATI's full 3 year warranty. To me that was the most performance you'll get in your price range.


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[pauldh]

Edit: a little more scouring. great deals on X800XL AGP today $225 shipped free.


Buy.com has the retail BBA X800XL AGP for $239.99 shipped free. USe a $15 off code and get it for $225 shipped free from a great site (they pay return shipping if RMA needed).

<A HREF="http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=84125320&adid=17073&dcaid=17073&adid=17662" target="_new">http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=84125320&adid=17073&dcaid=17073&adid=17662</A>
then search X800XL


<A HREF="http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=3673245" target="_new">Retail BBA X800XL AGP $227 shipped free</A>.


On the cheap side, <A HREF="http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=&item=14-102-268R&ATT=Video%20Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch" target="_new">refurb real 9800 pro's are under $100</A>.


<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=658042" target="_new">3DMark05</A> <A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3781954" target="_new">3DMark03</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Pauldh on 09/15/05 05:00 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[function9]

9600se is nice. Handles Slingo full screen without a hitch.

 

[dinkster9]

found a slightly used Pny Verto 6800GT 256MB AGP on ebay for 230 bucks...seems like a pretty good price?

<font color=purple>A7n8xDX2.0|B2500+@200x11=3200+(2.2ghz)(1.775v)Corsair1024pc3500C2(2-2-2-11)R9700P(349C/334M)160Gx2WD7200RPM 8MB HD|Enermax460W|T:43C@N,50C@FL,MB 28C|3DMark2001 17668|3DMark2003 5268</font color=purple>

 

[RX8]

erm sheep banging is too hardcore for me i leave that in your vey capable hands wusy, hehe.

<font color=purple> Dont expect Miracles humans made them. The blind are easily led by the blind </font color=purple>

 

[pauldh]

PNY would be far from my first choice, and eBay not my favorite place for buying expensive hardware. But seeing as a X800XL is actually faster in most of the games I play, I'd take a new X800XL anyday over a used 6800GT. Up to you if you want NV that bad to buy a used card for the price of new XL. BBA 3 year warranty brand new for $225 shipped free, from a site that will let you return it if you don't like it, or even pay the shipping if the card is in need of RMA..... I'd grab a XL form Buy.com




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