Seeking new ATI card. Help.

Cyan007 · Feb 24, 2006, 12:11 PM

Ok, since my 9800XT pretty much clonked out on me after a few years of use. I need to buy a new card in a hurry.

I haven't really kept up with the times on which video cards are better than others so hopefully someone out there can help. I need to buy an ATI card that is at least on the same level or better than my 9800XT. Preferably I'd like to buy a card at Best Buy using my friend's discount and I would say I have about $300 to work with. What are some choices I have, I don't want to buy a low quality card.

Rasta Monsta · Feb 24, 2006, 12:34 PM

People around here seem quite happy with their X800XLs. 16 pipes, overclockable, and good prices.

rasta

g35x · Feb 24, 2006, 01:08 PM

very happy with my x800xl =)

riles9262 · Feb 24, 2006, 01:16 PM

The 7800gs is available for 299 at newegg (xfx, evga, or leadtek), and the x1800xl (ati, connect3d) is available for about 310-320. Those would be my first 2 choices.

[hobo]eclipse · Feb 24, 2006, 01:25 PM

the 7800GS is about the top of the line AGP card as it beats the ATI AGP's in about everything

g35x · Feb 24, 2006, 01:30 PM

that is true

purush · Feb 24, 2006, 01:47 PM

Please investigate all the choices and the money you can afford. It also depends on the type of monitor you have and the nature of the MB, whether it can accomodate a PCI Express card, a recomended size of the monitor is 20" LCD or a flat panel or if you have the dough go for wide angle LCD TV monitor 30" or 32" . I am writing this note because I have a Ben Q 30' LCD TV with DVI plug in. I have ATI X600 250MB video card along with x-Fi extreme sound 5.1 surround Bose speakers. This is my entertainment centre, for computer, DVD movies, and TV all roled in one. The effects ? you got to see to believe. I know it costs money but when you want the best go for it. Life is short why not get yourself the best and enjoy. My humble suggestion GO FOR IT. Good luck

Chaos · Feb 24, 2006, 02:11 PM

if looking for a good middle of the road card try and find a Sapphire X800GTO2 and mod it to open the other 4 pipelines so you end up with something very close to the X850XT PE for just over $200

Cyan007 · Feb 24, 2006, 02:29 PM

Ok, would you rather have....

X800XL or X1600PRO

Chaos · Feb 24, 2006, 02:47 PM

X800xl

Dyre Straits · Feb 24, 2006, 02:50 PM

I can't brag enough on my X800 XL 256 MB AGP card.

riles9262 · Feb 24, 2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyan007

Ok, would you rather have....

X800XL or X1600PRO

x800xl for sure.

Chaos · Feb 24, 2006, 03:00 PM

Sapphire X800 GTO2 kicks an X800XL all over the room, I have owned both and a GTO and an X800 Pro and would take the GTO2 over any of them

g35x · Feb 24, 2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

I can't brag enough on my X800 XL 256 MB AGP card.

same here

OmegaRED · Feb 24, 2006, 08:30 PM

X800XL is not a good choice when compared against the 7800GS. Get the nvidia card it is the most powerful AGP card available and has SM3.0 which X800XL does not.

Rasta Monsta · Feb 25, 2006, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

Get the nvidia card it is the most powerful AGP card available

I have read a few things that indicate that a 7800GS vs an X850XT/PE is a very close contest, with no clear winner.

rasta

Lowfat · Feb 25, 2006, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos

Sapphire X800 GTO2 kicks an X800XL all over the room, I have owned both and a GTO and an X800 Pro and would take the GTO2 over any of them

he has an AGP system. There is no GTO2 for AGP.

farkas · Feb 25, 2006, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta Monsta

I have read a few things that indicate that a 7800GS vs an X850XT/PE is a very close contest, with no clear winner.

rasta

Me too, but the 7800GS has PS 3.0 and is quieter, but it draws about the same power me thinks.

I love ATI, but for pricing for now, I'd say 7800 !

My 2 cents

Cyan007 · Feb 25, 2006, 07:19 AM

Ok, does anyone have an opinion on an All In Wonder X800XT?

SSXeon · Feb 25, 2006, 10:39 AM

The GTO Should be AGP, i sure hope it is. 36Alus, 500Mhz core is pretty nice, for the price and features (~$300Msrp). That could be the ideal Fear AGP machine.

And BTW its also 80nm core, and maybe 700Mhz core wont be too hard to hit.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Feb 25, 2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farkas

Me too, but the 7800GS has PS 3.0 and is quieter, but it draws about the same power me thinks

My 2 cents

PS3 is a moot issue at this stage in time. Even with it the card isn't much slower/faster than an X850. And besides, there are quiet X850 cards. Most people will replace the cooling to their taste anyway.

Chaos · Feb 26, 2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3X4D3C1M4L

PS3 is a moot issue at this stage in time. Even with it the card isn't much slower/faster than an X850. And besides, there are quiet X850 cards. Most people will replace the cooling to their taste anyway.

I thought so too until I started playing with an Nvidia card a week ago. I think the NV card may do better with HDR also.

OldBuzzard · Feb 26, 2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyan007

Ok, does anyone have an opinion on an All In Wonder X800XT?

I just upgraded from a 9600XT to that card, and I'm as happy as a pig in mud

I was originally going to go for an X850XT, but I couldn't find one locally, and I prefer to not buy vid cards online since it's a lot faster to replace a defective one if you do happen to have problems.

In 'real world' terms, the 850's aren't all that much faster than the 800's, and with all the 'AIW Goodies', I'd say that the X800XT AIW is the best 'bang for the buck' in AGP cards.

Yeah, the 850's and the 7800 will give you 5 more FPS in a bench mark of 'Amazing Blazing Speed for Shooting Vampire Zombies in Space', but you will really never notice that increase when you are playing the game.

The down side is that the AIW software could use a bit of attention from ATI, but it's still better than what the 'other guys' offer.

JMIHO, after playing with one for about a week or so.

Cyan007 · Feb 26, 2006, 12:35 PM

After visiting 3 CompUSA stores after the previous 2 said they had the AIW X800XT in stock, I finally managed to pick it up. So Far so good. What I don't understand however is the really poor TV quality, you know as compared to just actually watching TV. But that's just a bonus. I figured it was at least an upgrade from my 9800XT and would be dependable.

swimtech · Feb 26, 2006, 07:20 PM

Excellent choice for the money and featureset. The TV tuner requires a nice strong signal and the TV window on your monitor just won't look as good as your regular TV - but it is cool to be able to watch TV in a window on the side while browsing the web (as a for instance...)

H3X4D3C1M4L · Feb 27, 2006, 09:33 AM

I love my X800XT AiW, at least the X800XT part. The AiW...well...ATI needs work on its software

But when it does work I can't say enough good things about it