Time for me to pick a new video card...can I please have some recommendations?

[zekrahminator]

Well, I've decided (again) that my old X850XT is getting...old. I want to play BioShock!

And Crysis. And all sorts of SM3 exclusive games... :laugh:.

So anyways. I'm sick and tired of the DX10 hype, it's what's made me wait since this time last year to get a new video card. It's starting to make me...angry.

Lemme put out some facts:

-I'd rather not spend more than $200. I'm hoping to spend anywhere from between $75 and $150.

-I'm not looking for uber-resolution gaming with uber-details. I want medium-high details on games like BioShock, Half Life 2, Prey, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, and Call of Juarez (all non-DX10).

-I'd HATE to replace my 430W TT PSU with 18A on the single 12V+ rail.

-I don't play at uber-high resolutions. I mainly play at 1440x900, and can deal with 1280x720.

-I'd really like an ATI card, being a bit of an ATI fanboy myself... :p

-Overclocking does not matter to me. Silence does. If it doesn't come quiet stock, I had better be able to slap an aftermarket cooler on it.


So, that's the facts. I'm thinking... HD 2600XT GDDR4 on Catalyst 7.8? But really, I've been out of the loop so long, I don't know these things too well anymore. Any recommendations?


Edit: Just for clarification, I have Windows XP SP2, with all the late updates installed, and knowing my budget, it's prolly going to stay that way for a while... :p.

[pbmaster]

I was just going to suggest the 8600 GTS, but after reading the part about you being a fanboy I think the Radeon 2600 XT would be the best one for you.

[Agility]

If you wanna spend more then get the GDDR4. However the performance isn't worth for the extra cash to get an GDDR4 type.

[zekrahminator]

Well, I dunno...I was DEEPLY betrayed by the GeForce 7 series (I swapped my X850XT out for a 7900GS once. The fact that I still have my X850XT kinda tells you something :laugh:).

I hear that the image quality is much improved in the GeForce 8x00 series from the GeForce 7 series, and possibly all current ATI offerings. Anyone want to back this up with, say, a bragging screenshot? :).

[Agility]

Well it's quite true. There was once a time in TPU that people were talking about the 7XXX. I just somehow remembered it. Those that opened a thread calling peeps to help them decide what card to get, many turned the 7xxx series out.

[nflesher87]

I have a Sapphire X1950Pro with a spankin new Zalman VF900-Cu on it if you're interested :)

[pbmaster]

I'll take a SS. What you want it of? I'll make sure to turn on my 16xQ AA for ya!!

[Conti027]

i say a nvidia card since you want a ATI lol jk

[DrunkenMafia]

the way I see it bro you got 4 options....

1. grab a 2600XT - ~$150
2. grab a new psu and a X1950pro ~$300
3. Grab a new psu and a 2900XT ~$500
4. Grab a new psu and wait for the 2900pro/gt to come out in a month or so... they look promising (somewhat). ~$350 - $450

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

wait for teh hd 2950 pro or get a 2600xt gddr4

[Widjaja]

IF your'e going to get an ATi upgrade I would still get a new PSU with better amperage on the 12v rail to be on the safe side.

[GLD]

Well I have my new HD 2600XT running in my Antec NSK1300. It has a whimpy (but with PFC :rockout: ) 300w psu with 18a on the 12v rail. If you were to go with a 2600XT I would say your psu is golden. I was thinking of a Sapphire 512mb X1950 Pro, but I am really glad I got the 2600XT. The promo code (posted by devguy in hot deals) may still be good. It would only cost you $119 because you live in WA.

[zekrahminator]

Great news!

My X850XT can run BioShock after all. Special thanks to Racer_S for his magical little FOV/SM2 hack... :toast:.

$150 in my pocket is $150 for gas/insurance/Led Zeppelin CDs... :D.

[hat]

Or just keep the $150, put it twords a new rig.

[HookeyStreet]

Well, I've decided (again) that my old X850XT is getting...old. I want to play BioShock!

And Crysis. And all sorts of SM3 exclusive games... :laugh:.

So anyways. I'm sick and tired of the DX10 hype, it's what's made me wait since this time last year to get a new video card. It's starting to make me...angry.

Lemme put out some facts:

-I'd rather not spend more than $200. I'm hoping to spend anywhere from between $75 and $150.

-I'm not looking for uber-resolution gaming with uber-details. I want medium-high details on games like BioShock, Half Life 2, Prey, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, and Call of Juarez (all non-DX10).

-I'd HATE to replace my 430W TT PSU with 18A on the single 12V+ rail.

-I don't play at uber-high resolutions. I mainly play at 1440x900, and can deal with 1280x720.

-I'd really like an ATI card, being a bit of an ATI fanboy myself... :p

-Overclocking does not matter to me. Silence does. If it doesn't come quiet stock, I had better be able to slap an aftermarket cooler on it.


So, that's the facts. I'm thinking... HD 2600XT GDDR4 on Catalyst 7.8? But really, I've been out of the loop so long, I don't know these things too well anymore. Any recommendations?


Edit: Just for clarification, I have Windows XP SP2, with all the late updates installed, and knowing my budget, it's prolly going to stay that way for a while... :p.

Zek m8, if your looking to play games like BioShock and CrySis, I would recommend coming to the darkside and getting the 8800GTS 640mb, or if your on a budget, the 8600GTS (the 8800GTS 640 obviously pwning the 8600GTS)

[zekrahminator]

Ah, it RUNS BioShock, but...everything glitches like crazy :laugh:.

Back to the drawing board :p. I'm split between the 2600XT and the 8600GT.

[HookeyStreet]

Ah, it RUNS BioShock, but...everything glitches like crazy :laugh:.

Back to the drawing board :p. I'm split between the 2600XT and the 8600GT.

Get the 8600GTS instead of the 8600GT, trust me on this one m8 ;)

[zekrahminator]

*Trusts you*. This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125063) actually looks like a pretty good deal...

But, then again, so does this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125075).

I'll wait 'till I have some more money lying around, then I'll decide :).

[HookeyStreet]

*Trusts you*. This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125063) actually looks like a pretty good deal...

But, then again, so does this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125075).

I'll wait 'till I have some more money lying around, then I'll decide :).

What about this m8: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127284

PS: Im sure the 8600GTS destroys the 2600XT ;)

[zekrahminator]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks :).

Hey, since you're the NVIDIA man, I got a quick question for you. Do you know any aftermarket coolers that you can stick on, say, an 8600GTS? I am a silence freak :p.

[DaMulta]

This is what you need (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=38667):D

Zek VERY Silent
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125075)

Also you could buy a 790x board soon and add another 3 video cards here and there over the next year;)

[Sovereign]

What about this m8: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127284

PS: Im sure the 8600GTS destroys the 2600XT ;)

I don't know what hole in the ground you've been living in but...

I might agree with that if you are talking about a 1st gen HD2600XT GDDR3 model with cat 7.7s or earlier but not against a newer HD2600XT GDDR4's. Also, I don't see how you can go with a GTS when you consider that you can get a new MSI HD2600XT GDDR4 Diamond OC Edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127305) (@ $120 shipped after MIR, $140 before) card for less than any currently available 8600GTS! I wouldn't even consider a normal 8600GT because they can no longer even keep up with even sub $100 USD GDDR3 based HD2600XTs.

The only drawback atm from the HD2600XT being able to keep pace with a 8600GTS is that it is severly limited in overclocking (no current utility or program correctly supports OC'ing of the HD2600XT). If you take a look at 3DMark06 scores on hwbot.org, the 8600GTS cards are hugely overclocked from stock speeds. The guy in last place has a 300Mhz core OC!!! Just think if you could OC an HD2600XT GDDR4 card more than just a skimpy 50Mhz that it is currently limited to...

I honestly believe that with the new driver revisions that ATI has been working on for the HD series, the HD2600XTs GDDR4s are now at the very least on par with the 8600GTS. Is it really that hard to believe? Just have a loot at our official TPU 3DMark06 thread (http://www.hwbot.org/quickSearch.do?hardwareId=GPU_1083) and you'll notice that the HD2900XT flat out beats the 8800GTS and keeps pace with the 8800GTX...

[zekrahminator]

Please, no fighting. I just want a video card that plays BioShock. All prejudices have already been made up, there's no convincing anyone of any different video card opinions :p.

If I have enough money, I'll prolly get an 8600GTS with passive cooling. Most likely, I'm getting the $108 HD 2600. I'll look into HD 2600's with GDDR4.

But right now...I'm going to go eat lunch, and then make the money for this video card :).

[Sovereign]

Please, no fighting. I just want a video card that plays BioShock. All prejudices have already been made up, there's no convincing anyone of any different video card opinions :p.

If I have enough money, I'll prolly get an 8600GTS with passive cooling. Most likely, I'm getting the $108 HD 2600. I'll look into HD 2600's with GDDR4.

But right now...I'm going to go eat lunch, and then make the money for this video card :).


Not fighting, just trying to enlighten! ;) I too almost bought a GTS over the 2600XT but I changed my mind after doing a bit more research.

BTW, I almost bought that very card (The silent gigabyte card you are thinking about atm) and it would have only been like $90 shipped with the paypal newegg promo code (that ended a little while ago) but I just couldnt pass up the GDDR4 Diamond OC Edition with $20 MIR. Anyhow, good luck with whichever direction you decided to take.

[devguy]

Not fighting, just trying to enlighten! ;) I too almost bought a GTS over the 2600XT but I changed my mind after doing a bit more research.

BTW, I almost bought that very card (The silent gigabyte card you are thinking about atm) and it would have only been like $90 shipped with the paypal newegg promo code (that ended a little while ago) but I just couldnt pass up the GDDR4 Diamond OC Edition with $20 MIR. Anyhow, good luck with whichever direction you decided to take.

That MSI card looks great, but why didn't they put a blower fan in instead of a regular one?? I would think the blower fan would be more efficient. It still looks cool though, as I'm only interested now in coolers that exhaust the hot air out of the pc (my vf900 does no such thing...).

[Sovereign]

That MSI card looks great, but why didn't they put a blower fan in instead of a regular one?? I would think the blower fan would be more efficient. It still looks cool though, as I'm only interested now in coolers that exhaust the hot air out of the pc (my vf900 does no such thing...).

Yup, that was one of the other big selling point for me with the MSI card. CCC reports that the card idles @ 30*C and the video card itself is not even physicaly warm to the touch. Their cooler must be doing a fairly good job as far as I can tell. I just wish there was a way to get past the oc bug with these cards, it's currently limiting me to a massive 7Mhz core OC! :laugh:

[mullered07]

makes me laugh when people bring 3dmark into it when it suits them but if its the other way around then its driver optimizations :slap:

zek either way theres not a lot between the 2 (8600gts 2600xt) all i and a lot of other people know is that the 8600gts overclocks like a beast and thats when you start to see the value for $ saying that neither are high end cards and as long as you keep that in mind then im sure youll make the right choice and be happy with it.

btw, this is my first nvidia card for a few years (fx5700 iirc) and im liking it a lot, not had any slowdown/lag or fps drop or anything. i dont know what the hell people are on about with nvidia drivers being buggy, ive never had a problem with them (for this card) and there a hell of a lot better than that pos ccc ati installs :toast:

[HookeyStreet]

I don't know what hole in the ground you've been living in but...



lol, I didnt realise the 2600 had old and new revisions, personally I wouldnt want one (ie because they are crap whatever way you look at it), but each to their own really ;)

PS: for years Ati cards have scored higher in the 3DMark race, it must have been all those ATi backhanders to MadOnion/FutureMark ;)

PPS: my 8800GTX eats anything from ATi for breakfast (where it counts, gaming performance), so Im MORE than happy :)

[zekrahminator]

Sovereign: I have two questions for you.

Question 1: Is there a big difference between the GDDR3 and GDDR4 versions of the HD 2600XT?

Question 2: Do you still want the 6200? I'll let you have it at the $25 price-point you wanted in the first place... :laugh:.

[Sovereign]

Sovereign: I have two questions for you.

Question 1: Is there a big difference between the GDDR3 and GDDR4 versions of the HD 2600XT?

Question 2: Do you still want the 6200? I'll let you have it at the $25 price-point you wanted in the first place... :laugh:.

I'll try and answer as best as I can although PT or Niko084 would probably know more...

1) The big difference, atm, with the GDDR3 and GDDR4 models is memory speed. The GDDR3 XTs come stock @ 800Mhz while the GDDR4 XTs vary between 1100 - 1150Mhz. You'll never be able to physicaly reach clock speeds of the GDDR4 model with the GDDR3 versions without some major mods and/or luck so theoreticaly the GDDR4 models will always have the performance advantage.

2) OMFG I almost forgot!!! I do believe so! I just need to check my cash reserves and get back with you! Dude, I am really sorry for leaving you hanging like that! :o

[zekrahminator]

Well, no offense to the NVIDIA club, but I've got my heart set on an HD 2600. I'll decide which one I want pending my upcoming payday. My choices are...

Urblkr911's pre-owned HD 2600XT GDDR4 with stock fan, for $115 (USD, I hope...lol) shipped

Gigabyte HD 2600XT GDDR3 with passive cooling, for ~$115USD shipped

MSI HD 2600XT GDDR4 with gigantic fan, for $140USD shipped

Sapphire HD 2600XT GDDR4 with stock fan, for $145USD shipped



And Sovereign, no worries...that 6200 isn't going anywhere :laugh:.

[Urbklr]

Its USD lol

[Sovereign]

Well, no offense to the NVIDIA club, but I've got my heart set on an HD 2600. I'll decide which one I want pending my upcoming payday. My choices are...

Urblkr911's pre-owned HD 2600XT GDDR4 with stock fan, for $115 (USD, I hope...lol) shipped

Gigabyte HD 2600XT GDDR3 with passive cooling, for ~$115USD shipped

MSI HD 2600XT GDDR4 with gigantic fan, for $140USD shipped

Sapphire HD 2600XT GDDR4 with stock fan, for $145USD shipped



And Sovereign, no worries...that 6200 isn't going anywhere :laugh:.

IMHO, if silence is key for you, that Gigabyte XT is the way to go. Otherwise I'd recommend jumping on Urblkr911's GDDR4 XT! $115 shipped from Canada is a great deal for this card and it couldn't be any more than a few weeks old. The MSI card would be the way to go if raw horsepower right out of the box is important to you as well as a nice cooling unit. Anyhow, I'll try to let you know within the next couple of days whether or not I'll pick up that video card from you. ATM it's looking like 75/25 in favor of doing so!

[Ketxxx]

X1950GT or 1950Pro. Still plenty of grunt in these cards when their OCd. You can probably pick a 1950Pro 512 up for about $80

[tigger]

i'd agree on the 1950,my sapphire 512mb pro plays bioshock at 1280 maxxed out. :D and it has a 256bit mem bus and the 2600/8600 is only 128 bit.

[niko084]

2600xt GDDR4 NO questions asked... KThnx...

Don't waste your money on a GDDR3 version its slower by a bit and not that much less expensive.

[zekrahminator]

Ket: I've wanted a 1950Pro since they came out, but I've always been worried about the power requirement...

I will look at the X1950GT w/aftermarket cooling :).