[petersnoboard93]

Hey,

Im building a low end gaming rig. What video card should i get? I was thinking of this one but im sure there are better.
I also dont want to spend 350 dollars. Any recomendations for a decent card at an ok price?

[Knifeblade]

Don't get me wrong, but I have to chuckle a bit at a low end rig {your words} ;) running 8800's. Presuming everything else in your rig is fairly current, you are looking at some of the current big boys around re GPU's.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not meaning to disparage ya, okay? Have ya thought of just the GT, abount $100 less than the GTS, and almost the same performance. NVidea has a 9600 just starting to show up, it runs a bit less than the GTS, around the same as the GT, and is spec.-wise, right in the middle of the two.

ATI has the 3860? {not sure of the model off-hand}, that is up there with the NVidea's, around $200-250, and comparable performance to the GT, although lower than the GTS, but on par with the new 9600.

[petersnoboard93]

Sorry when i meant low end i meant that the rest of my system is low end and i wasnt sure what card to get to go with it and that was the one i was currently looking into. Your right i don't need that card. Ill take a look at the GT's. Can you recomend any specifically?

[lilxkid24]

8600 gt one of the best and cheapest cards out there for a low end gaming rig.

[Knifeblade]

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150275
[http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/167034/nvidia-geforce-9600-gt.html]
here's some info., courtesy myself and some other members, maybe one of these helps out.


XFX has a 8800GT, called the Alpha Dog edition, around $300, which blazes faster than a GTS in many cases. www.xfxforce.com


Tigerdirect or newegg may have the Alpha for less than that. I understand the 9600 hasn't hit the U.S. yet, it made it's initial debut in Europe, but maybe an excellent choice for you for the cost.

Ken, found it, re the ATI, it's the HD 3850, around $180, very quick, but doesn't do too well at very high resolutions. ati.amd.com

And, like lilx suggests the 8600GT, gives great band for the buck, around $100, and very friendly with more modest rigs. Several members use it, and all seem happy with it.

[petersnoboard93]

I think i want to spend about 200 bucks

[petersnoboard93]

Im looking at the EVGA 512-P2-N773-AR GeForce 8600GTS 512MB any thoughts?

[mjd420nova]

For low end, meaning low cost but higher performance, Nvidia makes a 256 MB or 512 MB FX-5500 line. The 256MB would be available in the AGP interface and the higher 512MB only in the PCI-e interface. They both run around $100 or lower for the older AGP interface on the 256MB card.

[Knifeblade]

I guess one thing, peter, is what form will you use, AGP/PCI/PCI-E. I have to presume your rig handles PCI-E, based on your card thoughts? If so, and you are thinking $200 budget, the ATI I mentioned, the 8600 GTS, even the FX5500 {although that card is not PCI-E}are all good cards.

Just my opinion, if I had PCI-E form avail., I'd personally go with the ATI. Not knowing your full rig spec.'s, it seems this card would most friendly on both your rig and your wallet. Nothing wrong with the 8600 you are now now thinking of, though, a very good card. Yet, the ATI has better FPS, and handles the same upper resolutions, as well as having some of the follwoing possible advantages over the 8600~~~~

It is very quiet, and has a power-saving mode built in. It gives out S-video, two DVI-outs, component and HDMI-outs {depends on the package, but usually the necessary adapters are part of the card} . PCI 2.0 support, slots into a PCI-E x16, but does need a 6-pin power connect off your PSU. Handles DX 10 AND 10.1.



I suggest you compare the two, re spec.'s and what price you can find, go with what is best bang for the buck. I would persnally lean toward the 10.1 handling from the ATI, for some "insurance" towards the future.

[VladTheImpaler1990]

Hey ok firstly the FX 5500 is a 64 bit, it is a very low running games, you would not be able to play any of the most games, or even oblivion, the only two games that i know of that can run on that card is warcraft 3 and counter strike.

So no i disagree on this card.

Vlad

[VladTheImpaler1990]

Hey, well firstly lets ask ourselfs will you ever play games on it?

If yes:

Than i recommend the 8800 gt, it is cheaper than the 8800 gts but it outperforms it, yes i know the 8800 gts is 756mb(i think or some where around there) but the GT is less but it runs games better. So i beleive if you have the money and you want to play games then the 8800 GT is your best choice.

But if no:

Then yes the 8600 GT is the best buy, its cheap runs most games well, and it is a good reliable card, there are no problems with it, so that will be your best buy if you want a low end graphics card, just for casual use.

AS concerning the ATI 3870 not 3860 it is a bad card, it is not as expensive as the 8800GT only slightly less, but it is very under performed and yes it is direct x 10.1 compatible, but its not worth getting.

So this is my views, i hope you make the right choice, good luck.

Vlad

[VladTheImpaler1990]

Yes the 512 bit is a good card, here is a link for the 8600Gt at NewEgg it is one of the cheapest and most reliable computer sales on the net.

NewEgg 8600GT

So look at this site and see what you bleive is the best buy, and post if you need help, the other thing is that if you not going to play games or do heavy designing programs then the 8600GT 256 mb card is good as its $20 cheaper. So its your choice, good luck.

Vlad

[petersnoboard93]

can anyone post a dirrect link becuase there are a few different 8800 GT cards

[TechyGuy]

If I may reccomend another card, there is the 8800GS. It has 384MB of GDDR3 RAM, which should be adequate for lower to medium resolutions. The clock speed is a little faster than the 8800GT, though the memory clock is about 200MHz slower. As of yet, I have only seen XFX 8800GS.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150276 - about $150 after MIR
I will second the reccomendations to get the 9600GT aswell.
Overclocked EVGA 9600GTs:
http://www.newegg.co...%2C10%2C18%2C20
XFX 9600GTs:
http://www.newegg.co...%2C10%2C18%2C20
I personally advise against the 8600GT, since you can get a far better GPU for $200.

[petersnoboard93]

Im looking at these 2. Does anyone know an easy website that allows me to compare them (performance not price)? I used to know one but i cant remember.

8800 GT

8800GS

[VladTheImpaler1990]

www.take2.co.za or NewEgg.com both great sites with reviews.

The 8800 Gt out performance the 8800 gs or the 8800 gts, the 8800gt is the best card out on the market at this day.

Vlad

[Knifeblade]

The only thing is the OP budgets $200, so I think the GT is out o range, $$$$$$-wise. But I agree with Vlad the 8800 GT rocks, best bang for the buck for the OP.

[jbking]

http://www23.tomshar...phics_2007.html is one link comparing video cards. That site also has a monthly article called "The best gaming cards for the money" that tends to give the best card at various price points so you could try to find the best card for $190 for example.



JB