Which video card ?eternal question

[djfreex]

I am planning to setup this :

DFI LAN PARTY NF II Rev B
AMD XP BARTON 3200 OEM
1 GB KINGSTON DDR PC 3200 RAM
Video Card ??????
Can not decide
I have used NVIDIA all my life and happy about it
but which one? my budget is at most 250 $ - happy for something at 200$
Used ATI over and there- ATI is good too.
I want to have nice frame rates on 1234x1024 > screen res. on action games like HALO, Call of Duty and etc. with full details open

80 GB Maxtor HDD 7200 rpm (I already have this from my old computer )

Thanks


__________________
DjFreeX

[BipolarBill]

Welcome to Sysopt.

You know - it just amazes me how many people depend on another person or persons to choose their hardware. I don't know if it's a lack of decision-making ability or an aversion to doing real research.

It seems to me that you prefer nVidia from the tone of your post. Why don't you hit Newegg and buy the best nVidia (MSI) card that you can afford for $250?

All you're going to get here is more mixed up. You will get different opinions from everyone and possibly even start a fight.

Read here:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html

[Direct1]

Just be sure NOT to buy any SE or XT models of video cards when buying nVidia.

If buying ATI, get an XT or Pro model but again, not an SE model. They are stripped-down, cheaper models which = junk. Good luck! :D

[Imperion1]

I agree with both previous posts.

HERE (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0) ya go. Sapphire 9800pro, 128mb, for $212.


If you prefer Nvidia cards, then there is THIS (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-157&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0) one (EVGA 5900) or my favorite one which is an EVGA 5700 ultra (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-178&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0) .

[RamonGTP]

I'd go with the card Imperion1 suggested.

EDIT: I should have said "I'd go with the ATI card Imperion1 suggested"

[Yoshi]

9800 Pro, will beat the 5900/5700 in speed and image quality

[iceblue]

The only card to stay away from is the 5600XT when shopping for an Nvidia card.

On the Ati side, pretty much all SE models are pitiful.

Here's (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1955&p=1) a good graphics card roundup that goes into the different brands of Nvidia and Ati cards.

[djfreex]

EVGA ? never heard of that 217$ is pretty good for a 5900 though, so Sapphire is better choice you think .

What scares me about ATI is backward compatibility. I have a crappy ATI on my laptop -

What about TV out features ?
Did u guys use that feature ?

[iceblue]

That EVGA 5900 has been known to overclock quite well and pretty much all FX and 9xxx cards have TV-out. I use it frequently on my GeForce 4. :)

[Direct1]

You cannot beat the 9800 Pro (Sapphire or BBA model) for $212. The link that Imperion1 posted is the best card for the money. Good luck! :D

[Imperion1]

If you don't go with a (BBA) Built By ATI video card, then the Sapphire is the next best manufacturer. Also, doesn't cost as much as being built by Ati.

I'd get the 9800pro.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

With its recent fall in price the 9800 Pro is the card of the moment for those lookign to build a top (or getting on for top) whack gaming system

--Jakk:t

[rsfnatik]

I'll second that Jakk, the 9800Pro has become very affordable for the gaming enthusiast. You can't go wrong there.

[24747comper]

9800pro - if you want to be sure to run games smooth at the highest quality (all settings cranked), its the card to go with.

As for the rest of your setup, i would suggest corsair ram above kingston, and asus above lanparty boards (i hear & read bad things about those mobos).

if you want to save urself alot of money (alot*), get a 2500+ and oc it to 3200+. :D good luck :t

[Yoshi]

Or you can go Intel:t