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$150 Budget Card

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chipdign

New Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
I'm a college student upgrading my current rig and was wondering what the best card would be in the $150 range or below.

So far, I've been advised that Sapphire's 128 MB 9600 Pro is the best, but not to bother buying the 256 MB version as the slower memory in the card doesn't make much of a difference. I'd really like to buy a 9800, but it's about $50 out of my league, is there any chance of it coming down in the next 4 months? Or is there a better alternative card than any of the ones I've mentioned so far?

Edit: forgot my system specs
MSI K8N Neo Platinum Nforce3 Board
AMD-64 2800+
512x2 PC3200 Corsair Value Select RAM
80 Gig WD HD w/ 8 MB buffer
 
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How about the 9700pro, did you consider that one, I think you could find one for less then $150. If lucky though you could find a 9800pro for a little higher then $150 in the newegg's refurb.
 
And that is an all in wonder too, you could find a 9700pro cheaper since the AIW are more expensive.
 
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I'd go with the 9700pro...... it's a workhorse and can just about tie a 9800pro at stock speed in performance, if the 9700pro is overclocked to the max.
 
Ebay has 9800 Pros for about $175.

As houserat suggests, I once had a 9700 Pro AIW clocked very close to 9800 Pro speeds/performance. A new 9700 Pro overclocked could save a few bucks.
 
$150 is highway robbery for a 9600 pro which sucks compared to any 9700. If your that cheap, just grab a 9500NP with L shaped ram for around $100, even if it doesnt mod, itll match or beat a 9600xt cause of its 256 bit ram. another option is a nice ti4200 of course for like $60 on ebay
 
I heard a rumor that ATi MIGHT bring the X300 and X600 to AGP, just incase that means anything to anyone.
 
@md0Cer said:
I heard a rumor that ATi MIGHT bring the X300 and X600 to AGP, just incase that means anything to anyone.

all that means to me is we'll have to talk a whole bunch more ppl out of buying crap cards.
 
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