Best bang for your buck

[Xcalibur]

I was just looking for everyone's opinion on which card will give me the best bang for the buck. I am building a new system, but in my current system I'm using a GF3. I stopped following the video card market after I bough my GF3 for 500 the week it came out. The new system will be running an Athlon XP 3000 (333) with 1GB DDR400 RAM. I was looking to spend between 100-150. I do not overclock, so please keep that in mind. I appreciate any input.

 

[Avalon]

In that price range you're looking at one of the geforce 4 Ti cards or a radeon 9600 pro.
Actually, I saw a link for a brand new nvidia FX 5700 ultra for $129 shipped the other day. That would do you the best. Let me go find the link.

http://www.chumbo.com/info.asp?s=855650000326

Here it is. This is the best performance without overclocking that you'll get in your price range.

 

[Xcalibur]

Thanks!

 

[Xcalibur]

I noticed the FX 5700 Ultra only uses 128MB ram. Does the capacity of the memory make much of a difference? (for example a FX5600 with 256MB?)

 

[tmod]

No, the extra memory doesn't make any difference. Chances are a card with 256MB will be slower than the 128MB version at anything but the highest resolutions, but either way the differences are minute. Some newer games might take advantage of the extra 128MB some, but like I said, the difference is negligible, but often the price difference is not.

 

[PrayForDeath]

Not at all, 128MB of video ram are more than enough for today's games, actually, the opposite is true! I mean the GF FX 5600 with 256MB has a slower memory, so it runs slower than a 5600 with 128MB (for example).
The 5700Ultra is your best deal. Go get it :thumbsup:

 

[imported_obsidian]

GFFX 5900XT - $153
http://www.gameve.com/gve/store/productdetails.aspx?sku=VC-LEAD-014

Your best ATI choice is a 9800 pro but that might be a little out of your price range @ $169:
http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/simprod.asp?pid=9032&ad=pwatch

 

[Xcalibur]

Is the 5900XT better than the 5700 Ultra?

 

[pukemon]

Originally posted by: Xcalibur
Is the 5900XT better than the 5700 Ultra?

Yes. In every aspect. Moneywise, in terms of "bang for the buck" yes.

 

[grabbingsand]

Originally posted by: obsidian
GFFX 5900XT - $153
http://www.gameve.com/gve/store/productdetails.aspx?sku=VC-LEAD-014

Wow. That looks like quite the deal. But I'm concerned... anyone give any credence to the low, low, low ratings for GameVE on PriceGrabber? Are they really so awful or is this just FUD?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: grabbingsand

Originally posted by: obsidian
GFFX 5900XT - $153
http://www.gameve.com/gve/store/productdetails.aspx?sku=VC-LEAD-014

Wow. That looks like quite the deal. But I'm concerned... anyone give any credence to the low, low, low ratings for GameVE on PriceGrabber? Are they really so awful or is this just FUD?

They look *ok* on resellerratings, although the low scores in 'support' and 'returns' do seem a bit worrisome. I haven't heard very many good things about them, and a number of complaints. Although that is a killer price for that card; I've never seen a 5900XT for under $160.

 

[Chasim]

DON'T BUY the 9800 Pro linked above (http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/simprod.asp?pid=9032&ad=pwatch)

- this is a 128-bit card - it's not a real 9800 Pro. I haven't researched alternatives in your price range, but you'd probably be better off with a 9600XT or stretching a bit for a real 9800 Pro (right at $200).

 

[Concillian]

The 5900XT at that price is a steal.

The only other thing I'd think to buy in that price range is a Radeon 9600XT, but the 5900XT is almost certainly faster.

From what I've seen the 5700U isn't really all that great compared to the Radeon 9600XT, but don't have personal experience with either of those two cards. I personally own a 5900XT and I've been happy with it. I paid $175 for it a while ago.

 

[Xcalibur]

Thanks for the tips guys. I think I'm going to go with the 5900XT. For $20 more I may as well. Do you think I'll get screwed from this vendor though? You guys have got me worried.