Which is the best?

[Mr. Peanuts]

I'm pretty stumped over which graphics card to buy, I have these 3 as possibilities, but I don't know which would be the most worthwhile.

GeForce 8600 GT 256Mb GDDR3 - DX10 compatible http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17156)...DDR3-PCIE.aspx
XFX 7800GT 256Mb http://www.e-tropolis.co.uk/ProductD...de=PV-T70G-UDF
GeForce 7900GS 256Mb http://www.microdirect.co.uk/product...roductID=15127

I'm kinda swaying towards the first one, but is it worth me buying a DX10 compatible card or not? Any other recommendations for that kind of price tag?

[Money]

get the XFX 8600GT from new egg for like 139.99

[Mr. Peanuts]

That's the same as the first one I listed right?

[Noah]

Dx10 doesn't run in XP, so if you want to stay with XP for a while go for an übercheap card that will last you around a year.

I went for Dx10, just for the record.

[Money]

That's the same as the first one I listed right?

no that first one u listed looks like some cheap knockoff, it looks nothing like a normal 8600...

[Money]

heres an 8600 made where i work
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814186022

heres a nice 8600 with a nice cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121069

or if u like ati, i dont, but heres the radeon 2600XT ddr4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102102

[Money]

or if your name is RATTY...u can buy this one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133189

[Mr. Peanuts]

I'm on Vista. Think I might go for a 8600 GTS, thanks for the replies Money.

In a nutshell, I just want a card that will primarily run Source games (Can't wait for TF2 and Left 4 Dead) and any next-gen shooters really well, but maintaining a budget price tag of £70 (about $140).

[Mr. Peanuts]

GeForce 7900GS 256Mb http://www.microdirect.co.uk/product...roductID=15127

According to Tom's Hardware VGA charts, that one ^ is the best of all mentioned here for running Prey (Source engine).

Is that another cheap knock off? I don't see the difference with it being the same GPU... looks like it has adequate cooling too, so what would be the difference in buying it from XpertVision as opposed to XFX, both seem pretty reputable manufacturers, but XpertVision is selling it cheaper?

What's the catch?

[WuTang420]

ill upload a pic of my cheap knock off complete with melted cooling fan if imageshack would get they're shit together

[Mr. Peanuts]

Alright, I'm leaning towards this XFX 7900GT - http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/V0000520

Seems like a sweet deal, I mean in a year's time when DX10 games are about, there will be a whole new range of cards on the market, so this should do me. Besides, even when they do come out, I'll probably still stick to that.

[Noah]

Crysis is comming out real soon, it looks awesome.

If you have DirectX 10 you'll get 100% destructable environment, and graphics that makes HL2 look like Continuum.

As I said earlier, it will only work with Vista, go for DirectX 10 if you're going for Vista.

Edit: I won't give you a concrete reccomandation, since I have no idea what the US prices are for computer parts, and where to get the cheap stuff, so I'm just giving you some general guidelines that I followed 4 days ago when I ordered my card.

[Ewan]

http://www.overclock.net/graphics-ca...d-ranking.html

Of the ones you listed, the 8600GTS ranks the highest.

Obviously this isn't a 100% accurate ranking table, but it's been contributed to/adjusted/agreed upon by many people and I think it agrees with the general consensus.

[LoGGi!]

Speaking as a ATi fan i'd recommend these cards, mainly because they have higher core and ram clock speeds wich makes them well... faster

http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/ATIGC164 (core clock speed 650mhz)
http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/A0229858 (core clock speed 800mhz=$$$)

also if you could just scrap up a little more money I warmly recommend this baby: http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/V0004517 (wich I have the CrossFire edition of)
It kick's major ass, I can play capcoms new gave Lost planet with about 180fps and half-life 2 lost coast with 176.2 fps at max gfx.
Also since it's a Asus card you get Asus gamer OSD (smartdoctor), a program that will modify the clock settings as you play for maximum gain, or then you can just clock it up to 635 MHzz core and 1540 MHz from the original 581 and 1404 Mhz.

[ZeUs!!]

The second one