Calling computer (hardware) people

[Rob@USC]

In the last day or two my video card's fan died. I noticed it a bit too late and damage had been done. It can play Half-Life (1) fine, but has issues with almost any texture in Half-Life 2 (the people look like they are wearing camo and the faces look like something out of a SciFi channel horror flick). I've got another heatsink on it now and it's going fine for most things, but I miss my games like HL2. I now need a new video card.

I currently have a Sapphire Tech ATI RADEON 9800 Pro (128 mb). I do not have a PCI-x motherboard, so whatever I get will have to be AGP. This is the second time I've had this model card lose a fan (first one was replaced for free under warentee which, but it expired about 5 months ago). I do NOT want another Sapphire Tech made card. I saddly have not kept up with computer hardware over the past few years and there's so much new technology since I followed it closely (~3 years ago). I need suggestions on what kind of card to get to replace this. I'd prefer it to be cheaper (<$200) b/c I can't justify paying more for a video card now. Besides, I saw on Allstarshop that this same card is now $150, so I figure there should be a better card out around $200 or less.

Thanks,
Rob

[phoenix6]

DEF a better card for under $200, I have a GeForce FX 5700 256MB, think it was like $160. Let me go get you some links.

[andrew.brandon]

the NVIDIA 5700/5900 series is suppose to be real nice and I think both are under $200.

[phoenix6]

http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16814122206

Best bang for your buck right now, a 6600GT, next step up is gonna be the 6800GTs with 256MB of memmory.

[andrew.brandon]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...009368&CatId=0
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...221040&CatId=0
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...184256&CatId=0 (the 6600 is one step down from their flagship cards, the 6800 series.)

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

ATI x300 is what i have....

get the ati x600 or 800

[Speed Freak]

Just buy the same card, put your old one in the box and return it. Do it at a big store like Best Buy. Presto new card for free.problem solved.

[Rob@USC]

I was looking around and came across this 6800:
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4082672

Anyone know how that one does? I tried googling for reviews on it but couldn't find anything. I've never gotten a nvidia before and I can't find a ranking system on their differnt rankings (GT, Ultra, FX, whatever) so I don't know how this will be. I seem to remember a friend getting a FX before (3 years ago or something like that) and being disapointed (or maybe it was another code name).

And to the person who suggested getting the same card and returning the busted one - 1. that's dirty and unethical; 2. The card says "Sapphire" on it, so unless the store carries a Sapphire card, that wont work; 3. I want to get away from ATI, I've noticed problems in some games with the card (strange lines - hard to explain - almost like wires stretched across the screen, but not horizontal, going diagonally from a given object that stick with that object).

[98Camaro3.8]

I just got an MSI 6800GT (in PCI-E) and it's sweet. Right out of the box I bumped it up from 350MHz to 430MHz with no stability or temp probs. All of the 6800s are a great buy if you can afford them.

You might try checking out this one: http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16814150068

Another cheap option would be the top of the line 6600GT.

[ April 29, 2005, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: 98Camaro3.8 ]

[Infernal]

I've got a 6800 GT, and it's a damn fast card, especially with 256 MB of texture RAM. If you're looking for something very fast but for a good value, the 6600 GT cards are your best bet, by far.

[96firebird311]

I use the EXACT same card. (Sapphire 9800pro) Slapped an Artic Cooler Rev.3 on it the day I bought it. If you have one of the newer ones with the R360 core, you can flash it to the XT version. Been an outstanding buy for me. Oh and FYI, Sapphire actually makes very nice gear. Basically rebadged ATI cards. You must have just gotten some bad apples.

And here is the only link you need. :D Click through all the benchmarks though because positions will change from test to test. Those charts were made before the 6600GT was released I believe. But the 6800GT is going to be your best bang. If that's too much $$$... I honestly would recommend snagging the exact same card. I know. Don't laugh. Flash it and you'll have a 9800XT for under $200. That deal cannot be beat.

[ May 01, 2005, 04:04 AM: Message edited by: 96firebird311 ]