best bang for buck under $175?

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>

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

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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.

________________
<b>Geforce <font color=red>6800 Ultra</b></font color=red>
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pyrotechnics cool!

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

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?

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


<A HREF="http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=367..." target="_new">Retail BBA X800XL AGP $227 shipped free</A>.


On the cheap side, <A HREF="http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit..." target="_new">refurb real 9800 pro's are under $100</A>.


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<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Pauldh on 09/15/05 05:00 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

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

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>

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>

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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