New Video Card; discussion

**Joel** · 09-30-04, 02:07 AM

Ok, so, I was going to get a new CPU. Basically, I want whatever is going to inscrease performance in games the most. I thought the CPU was the problem, but it turns out the graphics card needs to go.

So I've had my eyes on these 6600GTs and X700XTs since I first heard about them, look pretty nice. With all the excitement with the new card releases I overlooked just how good of a card the 9800Pro is, though. The 9800 Pro was last generations enthusiest graphics excelerator, correct? Well, I've been looking through as many reviews as I can that include either the X700XT, 6600GT, and 9800Pro, and have come to the conclusion that the 9800 Pro not only does almost as well, if not as well, but in many situations beats the 6600GTs and X700XTs. Not to mention, if you get lucky with an R360 core, and the potential overclocking benefits of that.

Now, I'd still be leaning towards the 6600gt and x700xt, you know, new technology and all that crap. But I've been reading around and for both the X700XT and 6600GT, AGP version wont be released until the end of November? I'm fairly certain I can't wait that long. With the 9800 Pro, already in AGP, and with the price of only $180-$225, I may have found my card...

I'm thinking the MSI 9800 Pro. It'd seem most people have good luck with the R360 over R350 cores on them, and they come with a nice stock cooler.

I'll sell this 9600XT for something, since I just got the cooling for it, I'll sell it for like $120 or something.

What are your opinions?

TIA

**Burke** · 09-30-04, 02:13 AM

9800 Pro is still a very viable card, but I would sick it out until the AGP versions of those cards come out. It's only a month.

**Joel** · 09-30-04, 02:15 AM

btw:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/...force_6600_gt/

Thanks for the advice, Burke.

[edit]Another thing is, the longer I wait the less the resale of the 9600XT is. Correct?

**Burke** · 09-30-04, 02:24 AM

The other point is, if you're ready to buy now, you could save up during the month and possibly get the 6800GT or X800 instead of the step-below line.

**loop2kil** · 09-30-04, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by Burke

The other point is, if you're ready to buy now, you could save up during the month and possibly get the 6800GT or X800 instead of the step-below line.

which i highly recommend. night and day difference between the 9800pro and 6800gt/x800 series.

**YARDofSTUF** · 09-30-04, 04:45 AM

The only problem with yesterdays 9800 over a 6600gt, 700xt or 6800 of some form, it that its yesterday's technology too, and when games start loading up heavily on teh more modern chips and features in the newer cards, then those games will help to show the age of your cards technology. I would try to save up for a 6800gt, as i have one and its amazing, or at least a regular 6800.

**Ghosthunter** · 09-30-04, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by YARDofSTUF

The only problem with yesterdays 9800 over a 6600gt, 700xt or 6800 of some form, it that its yesterday's technology too, and when games start loading up heavily on teh more modern chips and features in the newer cards, then those games will help to show the age of your cards technology. I would try to save up for a 6800gt, as i have one and its amazing, or at least a regular 6800.

i agree

but the 6600gt is still a very nice card for the price for only what $200? It still outperforms the 9800 pro and last generation cards.

**Joel** · 09-30-04, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Ghosthunter

i agree

but the 6600gt is still a very nice card for the price for only what $200? It still outperforms the 9800 pro and last generation cards.

And if I had a PCIE mobo I'd be all kinds of excited. But I don't. I don't even think AMD has one out?

A few days the 6600GT/X700XT will both be out for the PCIE. Man.

What do you think of this idea?

I sell my 96XT, buy a 9800Pro and cross my fingers hoping it OCs to XT. I get it, use it for a few months. After a few months, after the christmas season, after the 6600GT and X700XT come down in price and bring a few other cards when them, and when the AGP flavors are in good supply, then I sell the 98Pro and get something better than a 6600GT. Hmm...Maybe by then the 6800GT would be far enough down for me to think about buying it...Whatcha think?

**YARDofSTUF** · 09-30-04, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Joel

I sell my 96XT, buy a 9800Pro and cross my fingers hoping it OCs to XT. I get it, use it for a few months. After a few months, after the christmas season, after the 6600GT and X700XT come down in price and bring a few other cards when them, and when the AGP flavors are in good supply, then I sell the 98Pro and get something better than a 6600GT. Hmm...Maybe by then the 6800GT would be far enough down for me to think about buying it...Whatcha think?

Sounds like a waste of time. What price can you afford right now.

And so far I see no imideiate benefit to PCIE, in the furture yes, but not now.

**Joel** · 09-30-04, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by YARDofSTUF

Sounds like a waste of time. What price can you afford right now.

And so far I see no imideiate benefit to PCIE, in the furture yes, but not now.

agreed on the PCIE.

I have about $100 right now, and the rest has to do with how much I sell my 96XT for. Haven't really looked into that yet. Gigabyte 9600XT w/Thermaltake Giant III and some copper ramsinks. I'm thinking I could sell it for like $120-$150.

**Joel** · 09-30-04, 12:45 PM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1&type=product

If I were to go with a 6800, what version should I get? That one looks like it has a nice cooler.

**Ghosthunter** · 09-30-04, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Joel

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1&type=product

If I were to go with a 6800, what version should I get? That one looks like it has a nice cooler.

I like BFG just because it comes overclocked out of the box and a lifetime warranty, and have great support

But in reality no matter which brand you get they almost all the same here and there

other thing is best buy has plenty of BFG in stores if you dont want to order online

**YARDofSTUF** · 09-30-04, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Ghosthunter

I like BFG just because it comes overclocked out of the box and a lifetime warranty, and have great support

But in reality no matter which brand you get they almost all the same here and there

other thing is best buy has plenty of BFG in stores if you dont want to order online

Yup

**Joel** · 09-30-04, 02:44 PM

Hmm.

How much do you think I could sell this 9600XT for? Gigabyte 9600XT, used since May. Overclocked before. Thermaltake Giant III with Vantec copper bga ramsinks, the cooling being pretty new.