What the best 'value' graphics card?

[simonmd]

HOPEFULLY, in the new year, I'll be rebuilding my PC. Well, I say rebuilding but the only thing i'll actually be keeping is the case and the power supply!!

So, what's the best 'all round' card to get? I'm sure the absolute 'best' card is an easy answer but this is to be done on a budget so what's the best value? Currently, I have an nVidia AGP card but that's failed as well (my PC REALLY had a bad week!) so obviously, i'm going for PCI-Express this time.

Also, I'd like to stay clear of nVidia this time as i've had far to many driver issues with them and older software like FS9. Is ATI the only other brand worth considering or are there any other reccomendations?

[MWISimmer]

I can only go from personal experience, but an ATi HD2600XT is good value for money. I bought mine in October for just over

[ozzy72]

How much are you willing to spend?

[GunnerMan]

Hmm depends on what you define as 'Value" best BFYB would be the 8800GT by nVidia but ATI I hear has some cards comming out that are competitive and a bit cheaper.

[Wii]

Hmm depends on what you define as 'Value" best BFYB would be the 8800GT by nVidia but ATI I hear has some cards comming out that are competitive and a bit cheaper.

Already out and I'm gonna get one. Just can't wait. It's the new ATI HD3850 series or something like that 8-) I am so ready to drop the 6150SE

[simonmd]

How much are you willing to spend?

Willing to spend? Nothing!! Able to spend?

[Sytse]

That's not much for a videocard. Also, what kind of card are you looking for? PCI-e, AGP...?

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/12/03/ ... hics_card/  ;)

[simonmd]

...... I have an nVidia AGP card but that's failed as well (my PC REALLY had a bad week!) so obviously, i'm going for PCI-Express this time.....

8-)

I've seen high end nVidia cards, 8600GT for example, on sale via the internet for about that amount and when Christmas is past, there should be some better deals to be had.

I'm also going to keep an eye on Ebay, etc. for anyone who may have got a brand new system for Xmas and is selling their system cheap. It won't take much to beat my specs!!

[machineman9]

The 8600GTS is coming down in price, and it's a pretty nice card to have.

I prefer nVidia to ATI...  on Vista I haven't been able to load up the control panel for my ATI card at all. With my nVidia it's fine though.

[Sytse]

D'oh! Sorry for not reading!

Does your motherboard even have a PCI-e bus? Check first, before deciding on the new GPU. BTW, the link I posted is about both AGP and PCI-e cards. Check it out.

[GunnerMan]

I always prefered nVidia to ATI as well. I just like there architecture better. I have a feeling AMDs spider platform will give the gfx industry a run for their money because the CPU can directly communicate with the GPU. No routing through the NB etc required.

[simonmd]

Decision made, I'm now the proud owner of a rebuilt system!

AMD Athlon 64 duel core 5000
ECS AM2 motherboard
2GB RAM
250GB SATA hard disk
and an ATI 512mb HD 2600 Pro card.

MUCH better now!! Thanks for the advise.