9700Pro replacement - need input

Ubergrendle · Sep 27, 2005, 12:55 PM

This question is relevant as of Sept 27, 2005.

I have a 9700Pro. I want to replace it with an AGP card. Limit is around $300 USD ($400 CAD).

Possible candidates:
1. Gigabyte GeForce 6800 128MB 256-bit DDR AGP 8X w/ TV-Out, DVI, H/W Monitor (GV-N68128DH), $325 CAD

2. ATI Radeon X800XL 256MB 4x/8x AGP 3D Video Card, $325 CAD.

I'm leaning towards the X800XL.

Questions.
1. X800XL?
2. 6800?
3. Wait until R520s are released, see how market responds?
4. Need to cough up more dough to justify replacing hte 9700Pro.

I'd like to run games in 1280x1024 w/ 2x or 4x AA without glitching. Specifically Source engine and BF2, with an eye towards next-gen games like Age of Empires III.

I can't decide whether I should wait till Christmas, or jump now.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Sep 27, 2005, 02:12 PM

Jump now and call it early Christmas

I know Liata has good prices on the X800XL (and so did Best Buy, but you can get them to price beat)... and I believe that gigabyte card is a vanilla 6800 and not a 6800 GT or Ultra, but correct me if I'm wrong. I'm partial to ATI so I'd say go with the X800XL and then when R520 comes out you can decide weather its worth it or not.

As it is an X800XL will play almost any game at 1600x1200 with anti aliasing and the like at very reasonable speeds, so you can't totally go wrong.

Ubergrendle · Sep 27, 2005, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3X4D3C1M4L

Jump now and call it early Christmas

I know Liata has good prices on the X800XL (and so did Best Buy, but you can get them to price beat)... and I believe that gigabyte card is a vanilla 6800 and not a 6800 GT or Ultra, but correct me if I'm wrong. I'm partial to ATI so I'd say go with the X800XL and then when R520 comes out you can decide weather its worth it or not.

As it is an X800XL will play almost any game at 1600x1200 with anti aliasing and the like at very reasonable speeds, so you can't totally go wrong.

Yeah looks like the XL is the way to go... I checked the Liata website through and their pricing seems way out of whack. I don't think you can trust their website very much...they want almost $600 for an X800Pro!

Also their website is IE only. ewwwww......

H3X4D3C1M4L · Sep 27, 2005, 04:22 PM

Their website sucks and kinda isn't updated hahaha..... You'd be best off to email them or phone.

Xophile · Sep 30, 2005, 09:49 AM

Hi!

I recently upgraded from a 9700 (non-pro) to a X800XL 256mb card and I really enjoy it! I can play HL2 at 1600*1200 with 4x FSAA without any problems (except for the very last chapter with loads of caracters/enemies on the screen).

An x800XL would give you a great upgrade for a reasonable price. The only thing that I miss is PS 3.0.

Go for it and good luck!

/Matt from Sweden

(AMD 3500+, X800XL, 2*512Mb DDR400)

daedal · Sep 30, 2005, 12:01 PM

1. X800XL?
It's what I would go for. Then again, I'm an ATI fanboy so I'm biased.

2. 6800?
I think the X800XL is more powerful, but it doesn't offer.. um.. the 3 thing. Pixel Shaders? I forget.

3. Wait until R520s are released, see how market responds?
That's an option, but I don't think it would make a huge difference. Nvidia cards didn't really go down when the 7800 hit the market. I think it's more of a time thing rather than what's available.

4. Need to cough up more dough to justify replacing hte 9700Pro.
I'll buy your soul for a couple of bucks.

Ubergrendle · Oct 1, 2005, 11:53 PM

Update: coughed up some coin and bought an X800XL for $325 Canadian. Most I've paid for a graphics card since my Voodoo 3 3000!

Used DriverHeaven's driver cleaning utility to make sure i have a good install... big difference in BF2, and I now get just under 5000 points on 3dmark2005.

I also installed a Zalman VF7700-CU cooler for my CPU at the same time. What the heck the case is already open...

My next purchases will be another gig of mem, and maybe an LCD to replace my 1997 Sony ES-200. Its still semi-decent, but damn it was nice back in the day. 1280x786 @ 72mhz...kickass!!!!

Necrosis · Oct 2, 2005, 12:34 AM

Very nice card, I had one prior to the 7800.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Oct 4, 2005, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubergrendle

Update: coughed up some coin and bought an X800XL for $325 Canadian. Most I've paid for a graphics card since my Voodoo 3 3000!

Used DriverHeaven's driver cleaning utility to make sure i have a good install... big difference in BF2, and I now get just under 5000 points on 3dmark2005.

I also installed a Zalman VF7700-CU cooler for my CPU at the same time. What the heck the case is already open...

My next purchases will be another gig of mem, and maybe an LCD to replace my 1997 Sony ES-200. Its still semi-decent, but damn it was nice back in the day. 1280x786 @ 72mhz...kickass!!!!

DId you end up getting the card at Liata? I might get one for an old machine

Ubergrendle · Nov 9, 2005, 08:07 PM

Sigh... my original post late September, I bought an X800XL early October for ~ $300.

Today Best Buy in Canada has X850 XTs on sale, *retail* for $350. Damn me and my impulsive electronic shopping, damn me to hell!!!!!!

H3X4D3C1M4L · Nov 9, 2005, 09:39 PM

You're not missing much...the X850's aren't THAT much faster than the XL's..

riles9262 · Nov 9, 2005, 10:02 PM

ya, you're still well off man, 10, maybe 20% at most is the xt's advantage. And in sept, 300 was a great price for the xl, especially since the xt could not be had for less than $550. But, hindsight is 20/20 right

Ubergrendle · Nov 10, 2005, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3X4D3C1M4L

You're not missing much...the X850's aren't THAT much faster than the XL's..

So says the guy w/ an X850XT who recommended I get the X800XL in the first place!!!!

Seriously, its more than good enough for what i 'need'. BF2 runs like a dream and nothing I've thrown at it yet has balked.

I really makes me wonder how good a SLI 7800 setup would be though. I'm guessing it projects holograms at a framerate faster than your brain can comprehend.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Nov 10, 2005, 08:44 AM

7800 GTX SLI is....for insane people.