Best Bang for ~$150

[Homerboy]

Whats my best bang for ~$150 to be matched with a AMD2500@3200, 1GB OCZ Perf. and replacing a 5900nu (I love you BFG!)

 

[Matthias99]

You're not going to find anything drastically better (as a quick search or perusal of benchmarks might have told you).

A 9800Pro will be about the same speed (although much better at DX9) for $140-150. A 6600GT will be 15-30% faster, but is usually in the $180-200 range. There was a deal last week involving a rebate on some model, but I'm not sure if that's still running.

 

[Homerboy]

Hmmm I did do some searches on 6600GT vs 5900 and it seemed to beat it pretty handily in most games.


http://www1.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050404/geforce_6600-31.html

 

[Amplifier]

I don't know if I would make such a small jump on a graphics card. If I were to go at the $150 range I would buy the 9800pro for ~$120.

 

[mrc777]

6600gt or 9800pro...if you arent really in need of a new card now..wait until the next generation of cards comes out around Q3

 

[SonicIce]

http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/Vi...Desc.asp?description=14-122-206&depa=0 $170, great brand for great card

 

[Homerboy]

I was always under the impression that a 5900 was relatively on-par with the 9800Pro... Isnt the 9800 ATIs last Gen high-end?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Hmmm I did do some searches on 6600GT vs 5900 and it seemed to beat it pretty handily in most games.


http://www1.graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050404/geforce_6600-31.html

You're throwing around facts in a forum filled with supposition and zealot propoganda.

 

[Homerboy]

hahah sorry dont know what I was thinking
I mean looking at the 1280 8xAF the 6600Gt is nearly double the 5950 (which is juicier than my 5900)
The gap drops once AA is tossed into the mix though...

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
hahah sorry dont know what I was thinking
I mean looking at the 1280 8xAF the 6600Gt is nearly double the 5950 (which is juicier than my 5900)
The gap drops once AA is tossed into the mix though...

Get the 6600GT. I think you already know that's the right route. It's an amazing card for the money. I personally have one and, thanks to be restricted to 1280x1024 on my LCD, I'm wanting for nothing in HL2 and D3, so....

 

[Homerboy]

Same thing here.... LCD is resolution limiter....
GAH! I hate choices

 

[ddogg]

6600GT

 

[rise]

undoubtedly 6600gt and the deal is still on an evga at newegg, 159 AR

 

[hans030390]

if you're short on money, the 6600 vanilla would also cut it...either way, they are good performers and have shader model 3.0...can't really go wrong with that!

 

[RajunCajun]

A 9800Pro is ~roughly~ equal to a 5900U; 5900NU is ~roughly~ equal to a 9800 Non Pro. ATI's highest last gen card was the 9800XT, which itself was ~roughly~ equal to a 5950.

I upgraded from a 5900SE AGP on a 2.4b P4 to a 6600GT PCIe on a 3.0 Prescott, so I couldn't compare platform to platform. Honestly, I did not get a "great" performance increase going to the newer platform, but I was able to max out image quality at 1280 x 1024. With the 5900SE I sometimes had to back down on IQ in some games (Far Cry comes to mind). You will get an increase, but you probably won't see a $150 performance boost. I had to upgrade due to PCIe.

If you run older games (DX8 or lower), the 5900 will go head to head with or slightly outpace a 6600GT in some instances at low to medium resolutions. I had a link to site that compared a 6600GT vs 9800Pro vs 5900XT/SE running with a 2.4 P4 which I found VERY informative before I bought my 6600GT. If I find the link I'll post it here.

In either case, 6600GT will punch out any 5900/5950 running PS 2.0 or higher. Unless you've got extra $$$ to burn I would wait awhile until prices drop more or newer GPUs bring bigger bang for the buck.

 

[BW86]

go with a 6600GT for around ~$170

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: RajunCajun
you probably won't see a $150 performance boost.

He doesn't need to. If he gets $100 for his 5900 he only needs to see a $50 performance boost.

Actually, there is a 5900 going for $150 right now on Ebay.....LOL.....he may make money upgrading.

 

[Skotos]

i got a 6600 and overclocked it to 525/700

i only paid $114 free shipping youve gotta love that

 

[ericlala]

i dunno about the prices but get 6600gt if u can afford it. if not, the 6200 is an excellent upgrade which is on par with 6600(non gt)

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

6600gt definetly. 6200 is not worth it, there will be no noticeable dif between a 5900. if u uprgade, at least try to upgrade a little bit.