New graphics card. Opinions please.

Dingatron

Hi Guys

I'm in the market for a new graphics card. I have a Radeon 9800 Pro and I am looking to change it for either a X800XL or maybe a Nvidia 6800GT. Just looking for opinions on both. I'll be using it mostly for games/video editing etc. Probably looking at an AGP version also. I'm happy with ATI and their monthly driver releases etc but have little experiance with Nvidia. All comments appreciated.

Ding

odie

There is more info on comparisons for those cards here

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/battlefield_2_demo_performance/page9.asp

Dingatron

Thanks for the link. Siding towards the X800XL on price/performance versus the 6800GT.

Ciaran500

They have near identical performance from what I have seen. So just buy which ever one is cheaper or which ever you prefer.

Dingatron

Yeah seems to be the case alright. Going to go for the X800XL. Found a new ATI one on ebay for $240US and I also prefer ATI's monthly driver releases. Just cross the fingers on the VAT issues but even with the VAT should save around €60-70 on it.

Dcully

I bought the X800XL lastweek,went from 9800pro.
Huge difference to my gaming performance.
BF2 now yields 40-90 fps on high settings @ 1280X1024 2XFSAA.
I run it on Medium as it looks almost the same and i never dip below 50 fps.
It runs all my games brilliantly,very happy with it.
Review here .
http://www.gamergod.com/hw_review.cfm?hw_id=67&cat_id=205

Dingatron

Excellent news Dcully. That's the game and resolution I had in mind for it. Maybe I'll be able to see you a bit better now before you blow my brains out on the TIG server. Have you tried it on HL2 or UT2005? Just bought it so hopefully it will arrive quickly from the US.

Dcully

Yeah i bought it with HL2 engine in mind as im a mad day of defeat fan and eagerly await the release of DOD source which like HL2 is ATI optimised.
I play red orchestra mod for UT2005 and both it and UT2005 are now running on highest settings with great framerate compared to low/medium settings with averge framerate.
I used to get huge fps loss on some CS source maps notably aztec where it could go from 60-70 fps down to 30 but now i never drop below 80 fps under any circumstances highest gfx settings @1280X1024,havent tried with FSaa yet though.
Tbh both the X800XL and 6800GT are great cards with little fps between them.
You will e happy with either.
Make sure you have a decent power supply,i went from 300 watt to 500 watt just to be sure as some reviews for my card stated 350 watt was required atleast.

unkel

Dingatron wrote:

Just cross the fingers on the VAT issues

Not just VAT. Import duties, penalties and administration charges and delays as well. Have had loads of trouble even with family members sending presents (marked as presents) and companies sending replacement products

Orion

Dcully wrote:

I play red orchestra mod for UT2005 and both it and UT2005

And where do you get this game UT2005?

Dingatron

unkel wrote:

Not just VAT. Import duties, penalties and administration charges and delays as well. Have had loads of trouble even with family members sending presents (marked as presents) and companies sending replacement products

Don't go there. I've been lucky so far on that score. Its coming in from USPS which I've used quite sucessfully before so fingers crossed. Don't mind paying the VAT as I aways factor that into the total price anyway but I don't want a delay on this. Picking up BF2 tomorrow and hopefully the card next week all going well.

Dingatron

Macros42 wrote:

And where do you get this game UT2005?

Got it here. :eek:

Orion

Rofl :d

BadCharlie

Why not check out www.jes-computer.de they have 6800GT's for as little as 250euros.

Dingatron

Too late bought the X800XL yesterday. Looking at jes and the prices are good but last time I looked they weren't accepting credit cards and were charging for use of PayPal. Could have changed since, but that money transfer seems like a lot of hassle.

Ciaran500

But the charge for using Payal would of been alot less than the amount saved.