Which video card?

CaptainDak · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 02:55 PM

I'm building a new pc, since my old motherboard just broke. I'd like to get a nice video card but I haven't really kept up with the developments and I'm not quite sure what would be a good one to get.

My budget will be around $200 to $250. Which video card would you recommend and why? And what do you think of this one:

CompUSA.com - BFG Technologies GeForce 8600 GT OC Video Card, PCIe, 256MB GDDR3 - BFGR86256GTOCE - Computer Upgrades » Video Cards

Thanks for your help!

Trama · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 02:59 PM

any 8600 is basically the equivalent of the 7600, except it's directx10. you can get an 8800gts 320mb for only $260, only going over your budget by a few bucks. but that's only becuase of the $20 rebate, so it's really $280.

i would go for the 8800gts. it's EVGA. everyone seems to have an 8800 now. you don't really need the 640mb version of any card if you don't run at higher resolutions.

evga 8800gts 320mb

edit: nevermind, the card went up to $270 after a $20 rebate. i've been watching it for a while, it stayed at $260 for quite some time.

K_Dog · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 03:38 PM

I've been looking and waiting on the fence for while now. and if I had to buy a new card today it would be the 8800 gts. it seems to have good price vs performance ratio.

VincentVega · #4 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 04:04 PM

recommend to you a BFG or suitably equivalent 8800 GTS 320mb overclocked by factory. BestBuy had this a while back on sale for 279.99. The best satisfaction per dollar by far.

BFG - GeForce 8800 GTS OC Graphics Card - BFGR88320GTSOCE

rebates gone though

currently, newegg had the XFX 8600 overclock 256mb for 119.99 after 20$ mail in rebate. not nearly as fast as the 8800s, but it will run many current games maxed and also has DX10 support.

Newegg.com - XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

avoid ATi

Rage1 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 04:52 PM

I have the 8500 gt with 512 megs of ram and I've run most new games on full settings including bioshock without any slow down.I would stick with any of the 8 series chips they are totally different the the 7 series plus they have a shader clock.
you can check out the specs here.
GeForce 8 Series

CaptainDak · #6 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 06:19 PM

Thanks guys! Looks like I'll get one of the 8800GTS's. A bit of a follow-up question: what would be a good motherboard for a reasonable price?

Craig · #7 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 06:26 PM

for what CPU?

VincentVega · #8 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 07:23 PM

250 just for the VC or 250 total? because you theoretically could do mobo + E4300 cpu combo and an 8600 for 250. (hmm.. tempting myself, actually)

CoffeeShark is a good forum member to ask about intel (Core 2 Duo) boards. there are others who can recommend good AMD boards. AMD is certainly a good budget way to go.

while a micro form factor, this is one of the leading fastest boards for AM2

http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Moth...=GA-MA69GM-S2H

CaptainDak · #9 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 07:51 PM

250 is for the VC. I was looking at the mobo's below but I'm not entirely convinced yet.

MSI P35 Platinum (MS-7345 v1.1) Motherboard Retail at ZipZoomfly

GIGABYTE LGA 775 P35 + ICH9R GA-P35-DS3R Motherboard Retail at ZipZoomfly

DominiKing · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 02:01 PM

Sh!t man, i was ordering an 8600 GTS OC2 by BFG next week, now you're making me think twice about it...