dlh6213
Posting Maven
3,117 posts since Jul 2004
Reputation Points: 63
Solved Threads: 214
The good price/performance points in gaming cards are represented by the following cards, in order from least powerful to most powerful:
Radeon 9600XT
NVidia FX5900XT
Radeon 9800 Pro (256-bit memory interface only. Ensure it is not a bullshit 128-bit memory interface card)
NVidia 6800 GT (256Mb card only)
(Sorry I can't give price points. I'm located in Australia, and prices I provided would be relevent there only. Shop online and use a suitable price locator site to find the best deals available')
Those cards are the ONLY alternatives which can rightfully be claimed as 'Good Value' purchases. The upcoming NVidia 6600GT and perhaps the ATi X700XT might slot in between the 9800 Pro and the 6800GT, when initial release prices drop back a tiny tad.
Edit: Current price points, in Australian dollars. Do the research for currency conversion and market prices in your local area yourself. Prices based on best prices available in Australia at time of writing:
Radeon 9600XT $220
GeForce FX5900XT $300
Radeon 9800 Pro $380
NVidia 6800GT $680
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
Reputation Points: 229
Solved Threads: 149
Video cards ALWAYS suck just after you've purchased them. The price of the unit ALWAYS drops several months after they've been released, and the next, better model is ALWAYS released just after you've bought the latest and greatest available.
But there's another factor that makes it not matter if you're a person who isn't hell-bent on only playing online multiplayer in the latest game out. Games drop in price too, so if you wait until the 'latest' card has becomes yesterday's model and is cheaper, you can get heaps more games to play on it, and do it cheaper!
:D
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
Reputation Points: 229
Solved Threads: 149