buying a graphics card, which one is the best?

speedyink

speedyink

VIP Member
I'm buying a new graphics card for my computer in 2 weeks time, but with all these new graphic cards out I have no idea which ones are good and bad. My computer specs are in the sig. It has a 300 watt PSU, so keep that in mind (willing to upgrade if necessary, but i'm hoping to stick with this one). I have looked around at cards in my price range, and the following ones are what I'm most interested in (All PCI-E, and all prices Canadian from Futureshop):
ATI Radeon X1300 Pro 256mb - $250
ATI Radeon X800 GTO 128mb - $200
Diamond Radeon X1300 512mb - $200
Diamond Viper Radeon X700 256MB - $260
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum 256MB - $370 <- Maybe too expensive
BFG Geforce 7800 GT OC 256mb - $370 <- Maybe too Expensive
BFG Geforce 6600 GT OC 128mb - $320 <- Maybe too Expensive

I'm not sure what any of these cards are capable of, but I'm into next gen gaming (lately I've been playing Oblivion). I dont care if these cards can run oblivion at 1280x1024 at max settings, though 1024x768 would be nice. AA isn't much of a big thing either, 2x would be fine. Framerate isn't too much of an issue either, 30 FPS and up would be fine. Thanks for any input!:)
 
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I second the above post, I am not a big ATi fan and plus the 7800GT will allow you to play even future games on pretty high settings for the time being. Where as if you buy a 6800GT you will be upgrading much sooner in my opinion.
 
I would really love to go for the 7800gt, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much on a graphics card. Any input on the top 4 cards in the list? If theres an Nvidia counterpart to any of those cards (at a similar price) just let me know.
 
speedyink said:
I would really love to go for the 7800gt, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much on a graphics card. Any input on the top 4 cards in the list? If theres an Nvidia counterpart to any of those cards (at a similar price) just let me know.
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Like flipper said, if you buy a 6800 you will have to spend more later. Better to spend 370$ now then spend 320$+xxx$ later. Much better to get the 7800 GT now. Its only 50$.
 
unfortunately I don't really have a choice, I live on an island in Canada and the only stores we have around here that sell computer parts like video cards are futureshop and Staples, theres a bunch of small self owned shops, but they're prices are even higher. I don't have a credit card so internet buying is out of the question.
 
i own a 7800gt, but i got mine for alot less than the price you listed! where do you plan on buying one? got mine for $290 awhile ago from newegg :) (came with quake 4 too! now my fav. video game lol)
 
speedyink said:
I would really love to go for the 7800gt, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much on a graphics card. Any input on the top 4 cards in the list? If theres an Nvidia counterpart to any of those cards (at a similar price) just let me know.
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Outch, I hear you about the prices.
The GTO is a nice card, but like you said, you probably want to replace that PSU with a stronger one. :)

fade2green514 said:
i own a 7800gt, but i got mine for alot less than the price you listed!
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Well obviously.. :rolleyes:

fade2green514 said:
where do you plan on buying one?
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speedyink said:
unfortunately I don't really have a choice, I live on an island in Canada and the only stores we have around here that sell computer parts like video cards are futureshop and Staples, theres a bunch of small self owned shops, but they're prices are even higher. I don't have a credit card so internet buying is out of the question.
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are those us dollers? or canadian dollers?
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum 256MB - $370 <- Maybe too expensive
I am sure you can get one for $300 US,
i know it because i have it my self, and i want to sell mine for $300...
my card is pci-express, crossfire ready... you might like it, not too expensive for its quality...
but since 7900 GTX is out, i am tempted...

anyway if i were you i would buy "BFG Geforce 7800 GT OC 256mb "

or if you are interested in buying my video card, give me a message...
ATI cards are good for steam games, like cs source.
 
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speedyink said:
(All PCI-E, and all prices Canadian from Futureshop):
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tweaker said:
The GTO is a nice card, but like you said, you probably want to replace that PSU with a stronger one
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The GTO does sound tempting. Is it more compareable to a Nvidia 6600gt or 6800 gt? How about the X1300?
 
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I've narrowed it down to 2 cards. The ATI X1300, and the ATI X800 GTO. I narrowed it down to those two because of price, I don't want to pay more than $300. Heres a list of Specs that I found to be important:
X1300:
600/1000 mhz
128bit memory interface
4 pixel pipelines
2 vertex shaders
256mb of memory
$250

x800GTO:
490/980 mhz
256 bit memory interface
12 pixel pipelines
6 vertex shaders
128mb of memory
$200

If you had the choice between those 2, which would you choose? I'm leaning towards the GTO

Edit: I am also considering the Nvidia 6600GT if it is better than both these
 
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Alright, I did some more researching, and have now discovered that Futureshop doesn't carry the X800GTO at my location. So now I'm choosing between:
ATI Radeon X1300 Pro 256mb
Diamond Viper Radeon X700 256mb.

I've done some research, and the X700 for the most part outperforms the X1300 Pro. The X700 is Diamond brand though. I'm not sure if that changes performance/reliability or not, but I'm not sure if I want to risk it. Does anyone know about Diamond?
 
speedyink said:
ATI Radeon X1300 Pro 256mb - $250
ATI Radeon X800 GTO 128mb - $200
Diamond Radeon X1300 512mb - $200
Diamond Viper Radeon X700 256MB - $260
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum 256MB - $370 <- Maybe too expensive
BFG Geforce 7800 GT OC 256mb - $370 <- Maybe too Expensive
BFG Geforce 6600 GT OC 128mb - $320 <- Maybe too Expensive
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lol you guys are gonna hate me, im not being a fanboy or anything, i just think that a 7600 GS PCI-E is the solution here as well.....the only card that you have listed that is faster than the 7600 GS PCI-E is the 7800 GT OC...it beats every other card on that list and its half the cost of the x1300 (which last i checked wasnt all that hot) go with the 7600 GS, rock solid preformance and you get to keep some of your cash....you can get one for like 120-150
 
SlothX311 said:
lol you guys are gonna hate me, im not being a fanboy or anything, i just think that a 7600 GS PCI-E is the solution here as well.....the only card that you have listed that is faster than the 7600 GS PCI-E is the 7800 GT OC...it beats every other card on that list and its half the cost of the x1300 (which last i checked wasnt all that hot) go with the 7600 GS, rock solid preformance and you get to keep some of your cash....you can get one for like 120-150
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not fanboy boy either well kinda but i am computer literate and this is exaclty true
 
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