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budget video card suggestions?
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:04 am
by werldhed
I'm thinking of getting a new video card for xmas. I'm looking for something that is fairly cheap (not more than $150) that is a good replacement for my current Radeon X600.
My card right now works well enough; it plays Oblivion fine on medium settings (skips when outdoors w/ multiple enemies). It plays HL2 very well on medium, Q4 ok (not great) on medium, and F.E.A.R. like shit on low. (duh)
It also does fine with Vista, though it struggles when I have lots (20+) of windows open at once.
I need something that will boost Oblivion playability a bit, and let me play HL2 and Q4 on higher settings. It doesn't need to be cutting-edge. Basically, what is a good choice for the next card I should get?
I don't keep up on vid cards at all, so any suggestions for manufacturer, extras, etc will be appreciated. Thanks.
Current card is: ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory 256MB PCI Express x16.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:17 am
by Captain
I'm sure an eVGA 6600GT should fit your budget. I've got one atm and it runs BF2142, FEAR, Q4, etc. with absolutely no stuttering or fps loss. Playing at 1024x768 with full graphics.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:21 am
by werldhed
Captain Mazda wrote:I'm sure an eVGA 6600GT should fit your budget. I've got one atm and it runs BF2142, FEAR, Q4, etc. with absolutely no stuttering or fps loss. Playing at 1024x768 with full graphics.
Does it run all the shader effects on FEAR, too?
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:03 am
by Captain
Yes it does, uploading a screenie from Extraction Point in a sec.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:05 am
by Captain
Looks pretty good to me

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:54 pm
by AmIdYfReAk
the 7600 is the same price as the 6600GT, ( if not a little more... $20 here in canada )
why wouldent you fit that instead of the 6600?
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:27 pm
by obsidian
Yeah, I picked up a BFG 7600GT for $130 (CND) a few weeks ago.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:58 pm
by Captain
obsidian wrote:Yeah, I picked up a BFG 7600GT for $130 (CND) a few weeks ago.
ffs I hate you
Got my 6600GT in April for $165 CDN :E
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:12 pm
by werldhed
Cool.. thanks for the suggestions.
Anyone else want to throw in their 2 cents?

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:45 pm
by AmIdYfReAk
Uhh, if i may,
the BEST Budget card out there is the Radeon X800 GTO according to a few sites.. the only thing that the 7600 has on it is Shader model 3, wile the X800 is still running 2.
those would be the two that i would say
btw, newegg has them on for a good price each
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:55 am
by obsidian
Captain Mazda wrote:ffs I hate you
Got my 6600GT in April for $165 CDN :E
Don't you love progress? Mmm, mmm. 7600GT is a wonderful card, functions great and looks beautiful too.
Oh, and I love you too.
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:46 am
by SOAPboy
AmIdYfReAk wrote:Uhh, if i may,
the BEST Budget card out there is the Radeon X800 GTO according to a few sites.. the only thing that the 7600 has on it is Shader model 3, wile the X800 is still running 2.
those would be the two that i would say
btw, newegg has them on for a good price each
Id still go Nvidia. At least imo.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 3:26 am
by AmIdYfReAk
SOAPboy wrote:AmIdYfReAk wrote:Uhh, if i may,
the BEST Budget card out there is the Radeon X800 GTO according to a few sites.. the only thing that the 7600 has on it is Shader model 3, wile the X800 is still running 2.
those would be the two that i would say
btw, newegg has them on for a good price each
Id still go Nvidia. At least imo.
i am just trying to offer a choice, Rather then BUY THIS OMG!
but i do agree, i am sticking with nvidia for the time being.. ( Patts his old 9800 pro )
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:31 am
by Captain
Fuck it, I'm going to buy the 7600GT for Christmas. That way I won't feel bad about shelling that much money for it.
Oh and I don't really hate you Obsi :lub:
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:49 am
by obsidian
TBH, the 6600GT is a good enough card. Just buy a 8600GT (supposing they make one) in 6 months for $100 and then come back and rub it in my face.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 6:42 am
by Captain
8800 has been made already. I'm not planning on getting Vista so I'm saying "bye bye" to DX10. If the 8800 has a decent price, I'll definitely get it, just to play all my current games at 23109782x23109547 resolutions, lol.
EDIT: Never mind, I'm not planning on upgrading my mobo. Perfectly good and new ASUS P5P800SE AGP so no thanks. Basically, I refuse to buy Vista, a new PCI-E mobo, new PCI-E compatible RAM, and a PCI-E video card. Seems reasonable

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 6:46 am
by Captain
Does anyone know if the 7600GS 512MB AGP runs Shader Model 3?
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph ... id=999.821
Don't wanna hijack your thread though :icon32:
EDIT: 7800GS is much better
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph ... id=999.821
If my 6600GT was 256MB, it would be much sexier.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:15 pm
by AmIdYfReAk
Edit:
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:16 pm
by AmIdYfReAk
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:06 pm
by werldhed
Thanks all for the suggestions. It got a bit hectic here at school the past week so I didn't get a chance to check out your advice.
I had been planning to stick with ATI just because it's what I've got and it's worked well, but since most people (IRL, too) have been suggesting nVidia, I might do that instead...
Anywhoo.. I found this deal recently:
EVGA e-GeForce 7600GT 256MB DDR3 HDTV PCI-E
Cost: $89.99.
Sounds pretty sweet to me... any reason I shouldn't go for this?

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:58 pm
by Captain
$89.99???????????????
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:38 pm
by Magestic
If you can get a 7600GT for $90, you should go for it.
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:06 am
by werldhed
Captain Mazda wrote:$89.99???????????????
(with rebate)

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:53 am
by Captain
Damn Immortals
Grats on an amazing find :icon14:
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:36 pm
by werldhed
Oops.. forgot to post the link to the deal.
It's got free shipping, too, but I don't know if they ship out of the US.
Anyway, I don't know how long this will last. Might be over today.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/EVGA-e-G ... tDetail.do