Video card shopping help!

[Mattigus]

I'm getting sick and tired of my shitty laptop, so I've decided to buy a desktop. However, I can't figure out which video card to get. My budget is between 150-200 USD (Would go higher, but DirectX 10 is on the horizon, so I'm saving my money until that comes out.) I've pretty much narrowed down my search between the Nvidia 7600GT and the ATI Radeon X800 XL.

The 7600GT has more raw speed, but less pixel pipelines and a smaller memory interface than the X800. I'm not sure which is better. Can anyone give me any suggestions, or even recommend a different graphics card for my machine?

 

[giant384]

go with 7600gt it will do much more then the x800

 

[skarrob]

Are you going with pci-e if so go with 2 of these 100 a piece. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1828833&CatId=1558

 

[3ssence]

Go with the 7600GT, faster than the X800XL, and has the latest functions, most importantly pixel shader 3. Very fast card for the money.

 

[Space Farm]

7600GT rawks. It's noisy though...:/

 

[Dekstar]

7600GT rawks. It's noisy though...:/

I don't understand people who say hardware components are noisy. I have my rig sitting right next to me with the side-door off and the HUGE heatsink fan pretty much blowing on my face, and I can't hear it.
Maybe I live in a wind tunnel, but I think you're just being pedantic.

 

[3ssence]

Anyone who has owned an X1800XT with a stock cooler will no longer think any other component is noisy as they will be deaf from the typhoon that is the stock cooler on those things !!!

 

[Mattigus]

Sounds like the 7600GT is the way to go, although scarrob's suggestion is interesting.

 

[giant384]

Sounds like the 7600GT is the way to go, although scarrob's suggestion is interesting.

]

i would still go with 7600gt anyways. 7600 is a newer core,but its your choice if you want the 6800xts or not

 

[Space Farm]

I don't understand people who say hardware components are noisy. I have my rig sitting right next to me with the side-door off and the HUGE heatsink fan pretty much blowing on my face, and I can't hear it.
Maybe I live in a wind tunnel, but I think you're just being pedantic.

For about two years previously I had a 9800pro and that thing was practically silent - when I switched to a game I couldn't hear it kick in. But with the 7600GT....

Can you understand that?