Sound Cards / Video Cards

[longhrnfan]

What are the best for a budget gamer for both. Say aroud 100-150 for graphics, and 30-60 for sound.

 

[dustin_c1]

For budget gaming the choice is clear:

Geforce 6600GT and simply use onboard audio.

 

[Rusk]

If your onboard audio sounds OK, use that money on the graphics board.

 

[longhrnfan]

Thanks. After much research I decided to go ATI x700 pro 256 mb, and audigy 2 zs. Apparently with the audigy 2, I'll get 6-8 fps better in games, which is what i care about.

 

[dustin_c1]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[Rusk]

I think NVidia makes better drivers for OpenGL based software.

So if you play alot of games that are OpenGL based (like Doom 3, and anything based on engines that were made by id software) then Nvidia based cards are probably a little better.

If you play alot of DirectX based games (like Half Life 2) then the ATI cards are probably a bit better.

They both make good cards, though.

 

[Quagmire]

Just bought the 6800, its nice if u get it unlocked.

 

[Swiffert]

might as well go for the 7800gtx

 

[longhrnfan]

the 6600 tested was the 128 non express card vs the 128 non express x700, the one I was looking at, at the time was 256 mb express.

 

[dustin_c1]

Among current games, 128mb cards are enough. 256mb cards barely perform better. It most cases there isn't any difference and when there is a difference, we are talking less than 5% or so. The 128mb 6600 GT outperforms the 256mb x700. I'm not an nVidia homer - I have owned far more ATI cards than nVidia cards. Right now the price/performance champ is clearly and unarguably the 6600GT.

Also, FWIW, AGP cards currently outperform their PCI-e counterparts by a few percent. I don't know why that is, but that's the way it is. Maybe that will change it 6 months, but right now, going to PCI-e doesn't give you a performance boost.

 

[longhrnfan]

find me some links cus i can't seem to find anything that supports the express thing.

 

[dustin_c1]

Don't worry about it. If you are considering between AGP and PCI-e, you are looking at a new motherboard anyway. Since the difference in performance is negligible and PCI-e is the future, you might as well go PCI-e. Just know that it isn't that big a deal to go PCI-e over AGP. Besides, the 6600GT is available in both AGP and PCI-e.

 

[longhrnfan]

word, thx.