Getting new pc - video card advice please

[Zappathefappa]

Hello all, I am (finally) getting a new computer for university/gaming. I'm not rich so I'm trying to squeeze out any extra cash from my purchases: I've decided to go for a Athlon 64 3200-3400 but I'm not too sure when it comes to the graphics card. Until now I've been going with ATI mostly because I'm used to them and have been happy so far. I'm thinking of something along the line of a 9600xt or 9800pro - my main questions are: 1) how important is the memory - I noticed that a 256mb 9600xt is about the same price as a 128mb 9800pro, both of which being just about the max ammount I want to spend on a gfx card - which one would be better? 2nd question is: I noticed that there are a lot of "third party" cards for a LOT less $ - are these as good as the brand-name ones or are there drawbacks - and are some companies better than others? <- I rember seeing something about Saffire being good, also seen Colorwonder and Diamond Stealth very cheap.

If anyone can answer some or all of my questions or give any other advice it'd be welcome - sorry for the long post I tend to ramble .

:cheers:

 

[Adrien C]

I would recommend to allways go for the original brand and not clones. And allways look for a 256 MB Bus.

 

[giant384]

not always 256mb it can slow down ur card i would recommend 6600gt if u can fork out alittle more but 9800 is alot better than 9600xt because of its 256bit proccesing and 8 pixel pipelines

 

[Ti133700N]

Sapphire Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB would be my pick.

 

[Dead-Inside]

I have the above mentioned card. It can't handle the games comming out towards christmas, but you should be more than good until then. (It probably can "handle" them, but not in the way you'd like them to).

Go for it.
Edit: I should mention that I'm more than satisfied with it.

 

[holydeadpenguins]

I would recommend to allways go for the original brand and not clones. And allways look for a 256 MB Bus.

First of all, the "clones" are usually better, and more available, with better ram, and i think you mean 256-bit bus.