GeForce 6600 256MB or ATI Radeon 9600XT 128MB

[DarkWolf]

I could save myself about $180 by sticking with my old radeon 9600xt card... but the 6600 has more ram, and if I'm correct in my assumption, is a better chip than the 9600... I believe comparable to the 9800 radeon's.

Also, the 6600 would be better for my switch to Linux that I plan for this pc (keeping XP on the laptop for now, while I familiarize myself with linux on the desktop), as NVidia just seems to "get" linux, while ATI continues to release shoddy drivers.

I just can't decide if it's worth the $180 for the 6600, for the ease of transition to linux and only slightly better performance wise... or stick with the radeon 9600xt, save the $180 and dick with ati's piss poor linux drivers.

Opinions?

And before anyone says it, I opted not to go with the 6800GT (or even 7800)... cause I'm not fucking spending $400+ on a video card. Ever. The 6600 was less than $200 (the 6600GT is just over $200 and I may decide on that if the performance increase is that much more significant over the standard 6600). I don't play games enough to want to spend that kind of cash.

[BottleRocket]

6600GT if you get off your damn wallet

[dmh165638]

I would go with these cards in the order listed below. You can spend less than $180 to get what you want. The 6800GT listed is no where near $400 and will overclock to 6800 Ultra speeds.

Leadtek 6800LE $129 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122212&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)

XFX 6600GT $145 (http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-145-102)

Sapphire X800 Pro $225 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102380&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)

AOpen 6800GT $276 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814135154&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)

[DarkWolf]

What justifies the extra $70 to someone that doesn't really care all that much about pc gaming? For that matter... what justifies the extra $150 on top of the 6600GT's price to get the 6800GT?

After looking at the specs for all three, the numbers just don't seem to be justified. This pc will see occasional gaming (and most of that will be emulated consoles), but mostly be used for media center duties. Any gaming beyond what this or my laptop can handle, will be put off until a console version is available, or I feel the pressing need to upgrade my laptop or desktop, for reasons unrelated to gaming.

It's not a matter of being frugal with my gaming system... because I don't build gaming systems. I build them for other uses, and occasionally they'll get some game play, but their primary function is not gaming. So, spending $400+ on a video card, for gaming, is not something I can justify.

Really, my only justification for the $180 for the 6600 is becuase I'll be putting linux on this machine in the near future. I'm just can't decide if that is worth the $180.

[DarkWolf]

[QUOTE=dmh165638]I would go with these cards in the order listed below. You can spend less than $180 to get what you want. The 6800GT listed is no where near $400 and will overclock to 6800 Ultra speeds.

Leadtek 6800LE $129 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122212&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)

XFX 6600GT $145 (http://www.buyxg.com/store/item.asp?key=VC-145-102)

Sapphire X800 Pro $225 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102380&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)

AOpen 6800GT $276 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814135154&ATT=Video+Cards&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)[/QUOTE]

That Leadtek might be worth looking into. The AOpen is still about $76 more than I'm willing to spend on a video card.

[dmh165638]

That's why I posted all of them. They are all about the best deals in their class and you could compare performance to dollar ratio. Pick what best suits you.

[ScottJ]

ive got the 9600xt, its great

[Roliath]

hands down the 6600

[DarkWolf]

Heh, decided to stay with the 9600xt and get an hdtv wonder instead, since this is technically my htpc. I'd just taken the AIW 9600xt out to sell it, and was going to use it as a non-pvr/dvr htpc for the time being (was planning an hdtv tuner card in the near future), but since the hdtv wonder is cheaper than the 6600 I was looking at, I figured what the hell, why not go ahead and jump on it?

Now just working on a new nLitened XP installation disc, gotta tweak a few things first, but hopefully tonight will have a good, fully unattended XP installation disc that can pump out full format/reinstalls in less than 15 minutes.

For anyone not yet familiar... www.nliteos.com ... love it.

[DanielDS]

get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133149 and overclock it to a 6600 with http://www.guru3d.com/rivatuner/. heard lots of people get good response from the pny 6200 OCed.

[I Stang U]

[QUOTE=DanielDS]get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133149 and overclock it to a 6600 with http://www.guru3d.com/rivatuner/. heard lots of people get good response from the pny 6200 OCed.[/QUOTE]


why in the world would anyone overclock a video card on a media pc... keep it running cool and happy and you will spend less money. i'll never do the pc game again after my laptop has shown me more love than any pc ever did and i can take it with me... i have never spent over 150 bucks for a video card and never will spend more. hell jay even the cards you have listed are way overkill for your setup. but that hd card will be pimp i'll have to see it...

[DarkWolf]

Yeah, I knew it would be overkill, but wanted the option to play some games on it occasionally (which I don't think the 9600xt will have a problem with anyway). But I think I'll be much happier with the hdtv wonder instead.

Probably gonna be picking up a new tv this weekend ... :D

I'm pretty much done with pc gaming. Have been for a while now. I just don't see the "value" in constantly upgrading to keep up, when I get just as much, if not more, enjoyment out of console gaming. But the laptop is definitely a little beast :)

[I Stang U]

i hear ya all i ever play anymore are mmo's and once my hand is out of this brace and i can use my thumb again ... MARIO kart has some serious hours waiting on it...


btw gimme a call dude...