New video card and RAM, I think. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MooseMan3000 · 03-17-2005, 08:08 AM

So I've been having problems with my RAM, and my video card is about due for an update.

For RAM, I need PC2700, probably 2 512 MB sticks. I don't need super high quality stuff, as I won't be overclocking, but the SimpleTech stuff I have in there now is starting to age. Suggestions?

As for the video card, I was thinking of one of the new Geforce cards. I currently have a Radeon 9500 Pro, and it's served me well, but it's getting a bit flaky. I'm probably going to get a 6600, but a 6800 would be nice if I could keep the price under $250. Thing is, I have no idea which manufacturers are good for nVidia products. For ATI, I go with ATI or Sapphire, but obviously neither one makes Geforce cards. Keep in mind these have to be AGP models, not PCI express.

On Newegg I see a refurbished Leadtek Geforce 6800 for $220, or a Giga-Byte for $223. Next I see an eVGA 6800 (new) for $244. The next closest are the Apollo and the XFX, both for $255. The other 6800s that cheap are all 6800LE, which I'm assuming means "Le sucks," as it tends to in video cards. So are any of those mentioned worth it?

Or should I look at the 6600s? There are Rosewill and AOpen 6600 GTs for $189. There's a Leadtek 6600 for $150.

HELP.

I'm looking for a 128 MB, 128-bit, 8x AGP model. I've found plenty of those, but I can't figure out which ones are better.

Thanks, guys.

shadowalker · 03-17-2005, 09:38 AM

As for the video card. Get a card that has 256 bit interface. It will be better for ya in the long run.

Lasereth · 03-17-2005, 04:33 PM

Buy any of the 6800's you find or any of the 6600 GT's you find. Both are very nice cards. You won't get a MASSIVE upgrade from the monster 9500 Pro (DAMN good card) unless you go for the 6800 though...the 6600 GT would be an upgrade, but not that much of an upgrade. I'd just go with one of the GeForce 6800's. Mine is an eVGA and serves me really nicely (6800 GT). Yes, LE does mean "Le sucks." I think I'll start using that from now on, it's a good one.

*EDIT* I'd get <A HREF=http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-202&depa=1>this</A> one.

As for your RAM, just get cheap Crucial or Corsair or Kingston or Mushkin. 1 GB sounds very nice.

-Lasereth

MooseMan3000 · 03-17-2005, 05:30 PM

I was looking at that exact EVGA card. If I go with the 6800, that's the one I'd most likely get.

As for RAM, I was going to grab some Corsair value RAM... at about $50 per 512 stick, it seems about the right price for me.

I wish I had a PCI express motherboard, because then I could trade in my current card and get an X700 Pro 256 MB 256 Bit from ATI for $170. Dag nabbit. Maybe this will wait for a more complete upgrade... $250 for a card suddenly seems like a lot of money, ha. Thanks for the advice, Lasereth.

Lasereth · 03-17-2005, 07:05 PM

PCI-E doesn't offer any advantages right now except for upgradeability that isn't coming for a long time anyway. If you want a new videocard, PCI-E shouldn't be a factor in what card ya want.

And no problem!

-Lasereth

MooseMan3000 · 03-18-2005, 05:02 AM

My point is that the X700 only comes in PCI express. With ATI's trade up program ($50 credit for any card you throw at them), you can get it cheap, but it doesn't do me any good.

03-17-2005, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
MooseMan3000 wouldn't mind being a ninja. Location: Maine, the Other White State.	New video card and RAM, I think. So I've been having problems with my RAM, and my video card is about due for an update. For RAM, I need PC2700, probably 2 512 MB sticks. I don't need super high quality stuff, as I won't be overclocking, but the SimpleTech stuff I have in there now is starting to age. Suggestions? As for the video card, I was thinking of one of the new Geforce cards. I currently have a Radeon 9500 Pro, and it's served me well, but it's getting a bit flaky. I'm probably going to get a 6600, but a 6800 would be nice if I could keep the price under $250. Thing is, I have no idea which manufacturers are good for nVidia products. For ATI, I go with ATI or Sapphire, but obviously neither one makes Geforce cards. Keep in mind these have to be AGP models, not PCI express. On Newegg I see a refurbished Leadtek Geforce 6800 for $220, or a Giga-Byte for $223. Next I see an eVGA 6800 (new) for $244. The next closest are the Apollo and the XFX, both for $255. The other 6800s that cheap are all 6800LE, which I'm assuming means "Le sucks," as it tends to in video cards. So are any of those mentioned worth it? Or should I look at the 6600s? There are Rosewill and AOpen 6600 GTs for $189. There's a Leadtek 6600 for $150. HELP. I'm looking for a 128 MB, 128-bit, 8x AGP model. I've found plenty of those, but I can't figure out which ones are better. Thanks, guys.

03-17-2005, 09:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
shadowalker Psycho Location: Firefox yourself and change the world!	As for the video card. Get a card that has 256 bit interface. It will be better for ya in the long run. __________________ I'll make ya famous!

03-17-2005, 04:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Buy any of the 6800's you find or any of the 6600 GT's you find. Both are very nice cards. You won't get a MASSIVE upgrade from the monster 9500 Pro (DAMN good card) unless you go for the 6800 though...the 6600 GT would be an upgrade, but not that much of an upgrade. I'd just go with one of the GeForce 6800's. Mine is an eVGA and serves me really nicely (6800 GT). Yes, LE does mean "Le sucks." I think I'll start using that from now on, it's a good one. EDIT I'd get <A HREF=http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-202&depa=1>this</A> one. As for your RAM, just get cheap Crucial or Corsair or Kingston or Mushkin. 1 GB sounds very nice. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

03-17-2005, 07:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	PCI-E doesn't offer any advantages right now except for upgradeability that isn't coming for a long time anyway. If you want a new videocard, PCI-E shouldn't be a factor in what card ya want. And no problem! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

03-17-2005, 05:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
MooseMan3000 wouldn't mind being a ninja. Location: Maine, the Other White State.	I was looking at that exact EVGA card. If I go with the 6800, that's the one I'd most likely get. As for RAM, I was going to grab some Corsair value RAM... at about $50 per 512 stick, it seems about the right price for me. I wish I had a PCI express motherboard, because then I could trade in my current card and get an X700 Pro 256 MB 256 Bit from ATI for $170. Dag nabbit. Maybe this will wait for a more complete upgrade... $250 for a card suddenly seems like a lot of money, ha. Thanks for the advice, Lasereth.

03-18-2005, 05:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
MooseMan3000 wouldn't mind being a ninja. Location: Maine, the Other White State.	My point is that the X700 only comes in PCI express. With ATI's trade up program ($50 credit for any card you throw at them), you can get it cheap, but it doesn't do me any good.