Purchasing a recertified EVGA 7800?

[CALIKUSH]

It's my 26th birthday and I am getting a new lcd. I decided to purchase the Samsung 215Tw based on reading reviews and forum posts. I've haven't played any computer games for the past 6 months since I fried my 6800NU playing FEAR ( I went past current coolbit settings to old OC settings after new forceware release, heater next to computer probably didn't help.)

I was forced to use my old 5200 Ultra for general computer use, can't play any new games with this at all. I don't want to get a AGP card, so I plan on purchasing a cheap socket 754 board with PCIE, so that my next video card purchase can be used for my next build (either C2D or .065 A64)
If anyone is interesested, here is the board I am getting
Epox 8U1697GLI

I need something to handle DX9 games @ 1680 x 1050 with good framerates. I was looking at getting the EVGA 7900GT KO ( new reload w/ hitman 3) or the HIStech Radeon X1900GT, but they both are a little too pricey for me at the moment. In the next few weeks I would be able to afford them; but I have too many games that I'm dying to play. Also it would be torture to have a nice LCD and not be able to run any games on it. I'm thinking about the 7600 gt, but I am not sure if it would be able to handle new games at 1680 x 1050 with full eyecandy.
Anyways, I came across this recertified EVGA 7800GT. What do you guys think of this card? Should I just wait a little while and save money up for the 7900gt or x1900GT, or would it suit my needs?

The card would be paired up with a A64 3000+ (newcastle) and 1GB Value Kingston DDR400. Games that are on my que list are:

Outrun 2006 coast to coast
HL2 episode 1
Prey
Dreamfall
FEAR
Need for Speed:Most wanted
and few other new ones..

Sorry if this post is somewhat lengthy.. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks

 

[sisq0kidd]

I think you should buy my evga 7800gt video card in my thread

Anyway, going pass my shameless plug, I wouldn't get that 7800gt. I wouldn't get that x1900gt either as that's a little too pricey; going into the x1900xt pricing bracket, which would spank it.

I'd say get either this or this.

I'd personally go with the Xfx 7900gt as it's cheaper than the evga one you linked.

 

[Nextman916]

If the 512mb x1800xl is still around for $200, ide definately get that or an x1800xt 256mb. The 7900gt linked above is also a pretty good price, all of these would outperform a 7800gt. I wouldnt trust newegg refurbs, there hasnt been much of a rep for them anyways.

 

[cm123]

You can get a brand new retail box MSI 7800GTX HERE (click) for $199...

...I have/got one these - works/looks great and the price is good too for this card...

 

[fbrdphreak]

1680x1050 with good frame rates means a 7900GT/GTX or X1900XT; I know, I was in your shoes with my Dell 2005FPW.

I'm selling my 512MB X1900XT for $330 if you're interested; otherwise 7900GT's run in the $250-$300 range and X1900XT's $350+. That's what I'd do, 'cuz I did it

 

[Vinnybcfc]

for $50 extra it would be better to go for a new 7900GT, a $200 refurb 7800GT seems poor when you compare

 

[CALIKUSH]

Well thanks for the feedback guys. It sounds like the 7900Gt is the way to go for 50 bucks more. So I decided to downgrade my lcd purchase to the Hanns-G 19 LCD w/dvi (5ms 1440 x 900 700:1) I think that will hold me over until the next generation 21 and 24 lcds come out next year. From the reviews it seems like a good deal. I was tired of the eyestrain from trusty Samsung 955DF 19" CRT that I've had for years. It was the cheapest LCD with DVI that I could find. I'll let you guys know how it is when I get it tomorrow. (newegg usually ships to my house in one day)

I wanted to get a ATI card, but I hear the linux support is still not as good as Nvidia's. I use latest Ubuntu as my primary work OS. fbrdphreak has a good deal going with that X1900XTX for $330.