[Video Card PCIEx16] What should I get for $100?
- Thread starter TheLe
- Start date
TwistedBishop
First Post
It's a tricky question, since some other stuff factors in. Mainly, what watt is your power supply?
TheLe
First Post
drothgery said:
The 7600GS reviews are very good, even if it is $110. I am willing to spend the extra on this card. This is my top choice so far. Thanks for the recommendation! I won't be getting a VC for another week, so I have time to look around still.
My computer will have a 400 or 450 watt power supply. I have no desire to overclock anything.
`Le
TwistedBishop
First Post
I would stick with Nvidia definitely. I was recently shopping for a card as well, and from what I saw ATI was lagging in the budget department for quality.
The only thing I don't like about the 7600GS is it's a 256MB card with only a 128-bit memory interface. On the other side of the fence, something like the XFX 6800XT has only 8 pipelines compared to the 7600's 12, but the 6800XT does have a 256-bit interface and GDDR3 ram instead of the 7600's GDDR2. That can be very important, given your extra memory will be crippled by the bottleneck with a lower interface. I'd suggest finding some benchmarks of each card, as sometimes being in the newest series doesn't necessarily indicate a better card.
The 7600GS has a 50mhz faster core cpu, but 200mhz slower ram. The 7600GS is cheaper at $105 compared to the 6800XT's $115 after a $15 rebate.
The big deciding factor might be your PSU. The 7600GS requires a 350W, the 6800XT requires 450W.
I'd also suggest buying an eVGA card if available. They have a Step-Up program that lets you essentially return your card within 90 days and gets its purchase price deducted from a new card of your choosing. That's only a one time offer, naturally.
Edit: I should note, I was comparing the XFX 6800XT and the EVGA 7600GS. You can find a $96 Gigabyte 7600GS. There's even a BFG 3D Fusion one for $88 with a $20 rebate bringing it to $68. But that seems awfully low to me.
The only thing I don't like about the 7600GS is it's a 256MB card with only a 128-bit memory interface. On the other side of the fence, something like the XFX 6800XT has only 8 pipelines compared to the 7600's 12, but the 6800XT does have a 256-bit interface and GDDR3 ram instead of the 7600's GDDR2. That can be very important, given your extra memory will be crippled by the bottleneck with a lower interface. I'd suggest finding some benchmarks of each card, as sometimes being in the newest series doesn't necessarily indicate a better card.
The 7600GS has a 50mhz faster core cpu, but 200mhz slower ram. The 7600GS is cheaper at $105 compared to the 6800XT's $115 after a $15 rebate.
The big deciding factor might be your PSU. The 7600GS requires a 350W, the 6800XT requires 450W.
I'd also suggest buying an eVGA card if available. They have a Step-Up program that lets you essentially return your card within 90 days and gets its purchase price deducted from a new card of your choosing. That's only a one time offer, naturally.
Edit: I should note, I was comparing the XFX 6800XT and the EVGA 7600GS. You can find a $96 Gigabyte 7600GS. There's even a BFG 3D Fusion one for $88 with a $20 rebate bringing it to $68. But that seems awfully low to me.
Last edited:
trancejeremy
Adventurer
Hmmmm, just to hijack this thread a little, how about a AGP video card for $100 or so? I still haven't gotten my refund from Newegg yet (and honestly, doubt I ever will), but I just sold my copy of Disgaea for $100.
I was quite happy with my 6600 GT before it died, and those seem to be about $100. But I was looking at the 7600 and the ATI 1600.
I was quite happy with my 6600 GT before it died, and those seem to be about $100. But I was looking at the 7600 and the ATI 1600.
TwistedBishop
First Post
Your situation is basically the same as TheLe's, so I'd give the same advice as above for an AGP. It comes down to the 7600GS and the 6800XT. I'd avoid ATI due to poor performance relative to Nvidia's budget line. I'd still recommend the 6800XT. Better RAM speed and bandwidth instead of 4 more pipelines and 50 core mhz. And it's cheaper by $20, at $110 instead of $130 (figuring in rebates on both).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150157
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130051
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150157
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130051
TwistedBishop
First Post
On second thought, maybe the 7600GS really is the better deal. I hadn't considered things like Shader 3.0 support, which I'm pretty sure the 6800XT doesn't have.
