Nogat

First off, I'm currenty using a <cough> GeForce 2, so any of these should provide a dramatic change (I hope). Please feel free to offer up any other cards if I'm missing something in this price range...

My CPU:
3.2 GHz
1 Gig Memory
P4
800 FSB
AGP 8X slot

I'm looking for optimal gaming performance (Frames per second). My internal debate:

ATI 9800 PRO 256MB
Core Clock: 380
Memory Clock: 680
Pixel Pipelines: ?
Mem Int: 256

GeForce 6600 GT 128MB
Core Clock: 500
Memory Clock: 1000
Pixel Pipelines: 8
Mem Int: 128

GeForce 6600 256MB
Core Clock: 300
Memory Clock: 500
Pixel Pipelines: 8
Mem Int: 128

UncleMacro

The 6600GT is the fastest of the three and probably the best bang/buck in that price range. There's not much point in getting 256MB video cards in that speed range. It's rarely faster than 128MB. You should just compare 128MB card prices. The 9800 Pro has 8 pixel pipes.

keymaker

hi nogat,

get the 6600Gt , it beats both other videocards listed. check out www.newegg.com for the hottest deals. i believe than the BFG 6600GTs come overclocked so it would benefit you in performance.

TheGrapeApe

[quote=Nogat]First off, I'm currenty using a <cough> GeForce 2, so any of these should provide a dramatic change (I hope). Please feel free to offer up any other cards if I'm missing something in this price range...

What's your price range?

I'd keep an eye open for a GF6800, as it'd offer far better performance, and more 'potential' performance if your comfortable checking some boxes and moving some sliders to unlock and overclock. Also some X700Pros can often be had for less than the GF6600GT, and the saving can be enough to warrant it as a choice considering their 'closeness' in performance (depends alot on the games you play and settings). I doubt you'll find an X800 or X800XL for near the price you seem to be thinking of, but they'd be worth it too as they outperform the GF6800.

Of the options you listed the GF6600GT would outperform the GF6000 pretty much ALL the time (the only time not, would be at hi res with hi AA where the GF6600GT has a memory limitation and driver glitch and then it would be 4.8FPS versus 4.4 type of 'win' in performance). The GF6600GT would beat the R9800Pro in about 95+% of situations with a few more wins than the GF6600, but nothing worth making it a better choice overall.

Look for the plain GF6800 if you can find it for the price, otherwise compare the GF6600GT and X700Pro and compare them based on recent reviews comparing performance in the games you like.

basically;

GF6600<X700<R9800Pro<X700Pro=<GF660GT<GF6800<X800<moded GF6800 [becomes a slow GT]<X800XL/GF6800GT

I didn't add the new PCIe versions since you're focusing on AGP obviously.

Just my two frames' worth as always

PS;
The R9800 is 8 pixel pipes, 4 vertex engines and 8 ROPs.
The GF6600(and GT) 8/3/4
The X700 8/4/8
The GF6800 12/5/12 (unlocked becomes 16/6/16)
The X800 12/6/12
The X800XL 16/6/16

Compumaniac12

ive found that the geforce 6600 and 6800 dont actually achieve better performance then the 6200, they have the ability but need faster ram to achive it, so ide go with a ddr3 card being the 6600gt or something like the x700pro. i see you need agp tho which leaves you to 6600gt or an x800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133137
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125205

Nogat

Thanks all. I made the purchase (6600). The 6800 was a touch out of my price range. I appreciate all of the input!