What 3D card should I get...

[Little Conqueror]

...if I want to experience across-the-board improvements over what I have now (an ATI Radeon 9600), but don't want to break the bank either?

I won't name a maximum price, as I am in a position financially where I can afford to get something, but I don't want to spend too much for something that I'll discard in a few years when I get a new PC anyway.

I don't care about brand, so don't turn this into an ATI vs. Nvidia thread please. I just want something that's higher-level than what I have, is a good value, and is stable.

Thanks in advance.

[Hudson]

IMO a GeForce 6600GT should serve you just fine.

[Little Conqueror]

Thank you. I'll definitely look into that.

Any other suggestions? I'm looking to do some comparison shopping.

[avatar_58]

Hudson said:
IMO a GeForce 6600GT should serve you just fine.



That would also be my suggestion. I own one and its the best piece of hardware I've had....no problems and top performance for your money. I hesitated on waiting for the ultra but now I'd love to go back and just buy this right away to save my troubles....its definately worth it.

As for other cards...depends on what kind of games your looking to play and how much performanceVSquality matters to you.

[TerminX]

Hudson said:
IMO a GeForce 6600GT should serve you just fine.


Either this or a 6800 GT would be good. I have the 6800 GT, and I've definitely been very happy with it.

[Jeff]

For good drivers go with nVidia. If you play Direct 3D games (HL2, UT2004), then you could either go with ATI or nVidia. ATI does better with Direct3D, while nVidia does better with OpenGL games like Doom 3.

[DudeMiester]

Don't forget if you get the 6800GT, you can softmod it into a Quadro FX 4000. Useful if you want to do modelling, CAD or something. This might work on the 6600GT too, not sure. In any case, I recommend 6600GT and 6800GT, whatever your budget allows.

[Spyd]

Geforce 6800GT.

It's clear, in this generation nVidia has got the best card. And Isn't the most expensive, too.
Let's see if the next gen the roles swap again. I hope so, so the competition stays fierce.

[TerminX]

Spyd said:
Let's see if the next gen the roles swap again. I hope so, so the competition stays fierce.


I hope they don't. It would mean NVIDIA screwed up again like they did with the FX cards, which really left only the ATI cards if you wanted decent performance in D3D and okay performance in OpenGL. This also happened to be at a time when their drivers were exceptionally poor, so it was really a lose/lose situation IMO.

[Hudson]

TerminX said:

Hudson said:
IMO a GeForce 6600GT should serve you just fine.


Either this or a 6800 GT would be good. I have the 6800 GT, and I've definitely been very happy with it.



Definetely. I just suggested the 6600 because he said he didn't want to spend too much money.

[Dr. Kill]

Hudson said:
IMO a GeForce 6600GT should serve you just fine.



I'm thinking of either getting a geforce 6600 or 6200. On zipzoomfly.com there is a $15 difference with NO SHIPPING FEE. I think I'll go with the 6600, but I also need a motherboard upgrade. My pc is new, and everything is pretty up to date, except no agp slot. I have a crappy built in Intel card. I might eventually get a gig of ram, but I don't think I'll need it yet. I have 512mb ram. So, should I beat up an old lady to get the $15 more for the 6600(which is $135)? I figured posting here made more sense than making a whole new thread.

[avatar_58]

Ha I just realised you said 6600 and not 6800....I can't read... http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif

[Dr. Kill]

if I had money for a 6800... http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Simon Charles]

Spyd said:
Geforce 6800GT.

It's clear, in this generation nVidia has got the best card. And Isn't the most expensive, too.



Word. My suggestion too. Geforce 6800GT. Best card.