POWERCOLOR Radeon X1600XT.

[jdpatel]

I wanted to get a good video card under $200. Is this a good choice? Or should I get a different card?

[Seedler]

Get a 7600GT, it's a better buy.

[jdpatel]

Ok. I can go over the budget would it be better to get a X1800XT or a nVidia card around the same price?

[Seedler]

Um generally a X1800XT is better than it's nvidia counterpart performance wise, but the 7600GT is only $190 USD while the X1600XT is around $170 USD. $20 price difference, but the 7600GT outperforms the X1600XT but around 30%. Exactly how much is that? You can run Quake4 on 1280x1024 with 4xAA at 63 fps (capped) with a 7600GT, while a X1600XT lags on 1280x1024 with no AA.

EDIT: The above comparison is baised because the Doom3/Quake4 engine does tend to favor Nvidia cards over ATI cards.

[jdpatel]

So should I get a 7600GT because it is cheaper in price. Will the 6600 and the 6800 be a better choice?

[ApacNTS]

from everything i've read about 6600gt's on paper and from people's expierence, i'd mark it off your list. pretty much it's a let down card that is promised to do what it cant deliver. 6800 is beaten by the 7600gt, so it's also eliminated. but the 7600gt is beaten by the 1800xt as seedler said, so if you want the most bang the 1800xt wins, but if your on a budget the 7600gt is a great card to go with. http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=3335

[jdpatel]

Ok I can go with the Radeon X1800XT, but was now wondering if I should consider a GeForce 7900GT 256MB.

[ApacNTS]

the 7900gt is the card im buying for myself. its over $300USD and is every bit as good and better than the 7800gtx, problem is, it sells out very quickly, i had one on order sent the money and today i get the invoice that says they inventoried wrong and i'll have to keep an eye out for new ones. but if you got the money,and patience, it's worth it.

[jdpatel]

Should I go with eVGA on the 7900GT? Or another company?

[Seedler]

eVGA is good, so is XFX.