ATI Radeon 9800 pro VS X1600 (agp)

[mzapl]

Hello every one,
I was wondering if anyone here has experience with the new graphics card from ATI X1600 agp. I am planning on upgrading my good old 9800 pro but I am not sure if its worth getting the X1600. I do realize that 7800 gs is freaking fast :-))) but I don’t have that kind of money. Below are the specs for my system. In advance thank you for your feedback.

Mikhail

AMD 64 - 3400+
Graphics card as above
1 gig ddr ram
SoundBlaster audigy
Win XP Pro,

[Newbie2]

I'm a newbie at video cards, but I'd go for the ATI X1600.

[Midknyte]

The X1600 is pretty weak; probably on par with a 6600GT. The 9800Pro is pretty close there already.

How much are you looking to spend? Are you dead set on ATI?

The X800GTOs or 6800GS would be good options. the X850s or 7800GS would be better but they might be out of your budget.

[mzapl]

The X1600 is pretty weak; probably on par with a 6600GT. The 9800Pro is pretty close there already.

How much are you looking to spend? Are you dead set on ATI?

The X800GTOs or 6800GS would be good options. the X850s or 7800GS would be better but they might be out of your budget.

The main reason why I was considering X1600 is because of Shaders 3.0 but agian I am not sure if this card has enough juice to take full advantage of it. X800 series or nvidia 6800 are fast but still little too steep 4 me...

Thanks

[Midknyte]

SM3 is overrated right now. I don't see the point of upgrading the video card just for that one feature.

save your money