What's the best "bang for your buck" 256 MB video card, currently out?

[clappj]

I was looking for opinions on what's the best "bang for your buck" 256 MB video card, currently on the market.

Thanks for any input! :)

[Trigger]

provide a price range.

[clappj]

Originally posted by Trigger
provide a price range.
I'd like to not go above $300, is possible.
Also, I could care less about it coming with any games.
Thanks!

[CharlesC]

Probably a Radeon 9800 pro. I've got one. But my friend has an identical rig with only a 128 meg card and I only get 1-2 more frames per sec in Doom3. It was only $30 more than a 9800 pro with 128 so I went for it.

[TheMadMonk]

AGP or PCIExpress ?

[clappj]

Originally posted by TheMadMonk
AGP or PCIExpress ?

I assume that only certain (and probably newer) motherboards are PCIExpress compatible, correct?

I bought my current system from Dell about a little over a year ago.

[SpacemanSpiff]

i got a geforce 4 ti4200 and am looking at a upgrade myself for hl2

[Jeraden]

The 6600GT AGP cards are starting to roll out. Not sure if they are 128 or 256, but they are supposed to be around $199, which should make them the best bang for the buck overall. A few people like buy.com have them up for sale right now, but they are priced a little over $200. Once newegg and stuff start getting them in, I'd imagine they can be had a bit cheaper.

[clappj]

Originally posted by Jeraden
The 6600GT AGP cards are starting to roll out. Not sure if they are 128 or 256, but they are supposed to be around $199, which should make them the best bang for the buck overall. A few people like buy.com have them up for sale right now, but they are priced a little over $200. Once newegg and stuff start getting them in, I'd imagine they can be had a bit cheaper.

The 6600GT I see at Buy.com is only 128.
Even though it's a "next generation" card, can it really hang with the performance of say a ATI 9800 256mb card?
Thanks for all the input guys!

[fumanstan]

Don't let more MB fool you. For instance, a 128 MB GeForce 6800 will beat a 256MB Radeon 9800 or 9600. Manufacturers like to put more memory on slower cards to attract consumers who automatically see more as better. While games are starting to use the extra memory, like Doom 3 or Far Cry, speed will still be dependent ultimately on the actual GPU. The 6600 GT is a great buy.

[clappj]

Originally posted by fumanstan
Don't let more MB fool you. For instance, a 128 MB GeForce 6800 will beat a 256MB Radeon 9800 or 9600. Manufacturers like to put more memory on slower cards to attract consumers who automatically see more as better. While games are starting to use the extra memory, like Doom 3 or Far Cry, speed will still be dependent ultimately on the actual GPU. The 6600 GT is a great buy.

I am actually buying one for Half Life 2, so that's why I figured I need to upgrade to 256MB.

[fumanstan]

Originally posted by clappj
I am actually buying one for Half Life 2, so that's why I figured I need to upgrade to 256MB.

Same difference. A far greater emphasis should be placed on what generation the video card came from then the amount of memory on board.

[GreenMonkey]

The memory is used for textures and stuff. Nothing but Doom 3 can even use that much memory, and it is on on high quality or better...

The "256MB card is better" idea is a common misconception. Right now it makes little to ZERO difference whether the card is 128 or 256.

128 is still fine. Worry about the chipset and price first, not the amount of memory. 64Meg cards are just now hitting the point of being outdated.

9800pros are still the best bang/buck, the upcoming 6600GT will be sometimes better for the $$...vanilla 6800 has a decent value, too. I think it was CompUsa that is going to have vanilla 6800s for $199 on Black Friday...FYI.


Unless you are stepping to a new-gen, $300+ video card, NONE of the 256MB cards is a good value.

[gorgo99]

tomshardware.com keeps a list of card comparison stats, check there... I agree with GreenMonkey's opinion. I may have to do that Black Friday deal at Compusa... or skip the lines and get one on Ebay...