Better Mid Range GFX CARD...ATI or nVidia?

[KilluminatiStyle]

I'm in the market for a mid range Graphics Card but I'm not sure if I should go nVidia or ATI. The most I want to spend is about $150. Please help me pick out a card. TIA!

[Force Flow]

I'd suggest an ATi, Powercolor or Sapphire 9600pro 128MB

[GForce64]

The 9600XT is in that price range too.
Look at this (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-326&depa=1)
one.

[popgoesthweasel]

The market is shifting with the release of the newer chipsets. The nVidia 6600 release is right around the corner. I would have recommended the 9600Pro as a mid range card 4 monthes ago but not today. It is still a good card but for a few extra dollars you can swing a 9800Pro, only $30 to $40 more with a lot more staying power than a 9600Pro or XT.

[Force Flow]

The 6600 won't be available for a while. Just look how long it took for the 6800's to trickle in.

[kram 2.0]

Radeon 9600 XT 128MB. Around 125 USD is a decent price for that in the market.

kram

[KilluminatiStyle]

Thanks for all the responses. It seems as though ATI is definately the way to go.

[Hi Ho]

For a little more than $150 you can now get the Radeon 9800 Pro (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-279&depa=0). It is by far the best value around today and I recommend it whole heartedly.

[KilluminatiStyle]

Nice, and the 9800 Pro's benchmarks are even better then my FX 5900.... but... is Powercolor a trusted brand?

[kram 2.0]

Nice, and the 9800 Pro's benchmarks are even better then my FX 5900.... but... is Powercolor a trusted brand?PowerColor is a trusted brand. Do be aware that the 9800 Pro Hi Ho linked is a 128-bit version of the 9800 Pro 256-bit...which means it would mean the benchmarks are more less around the Radeon 9600 XT - maybe slightly better.

kram

[KilluminatiStyle]

ahh, didn't notice that

thnx

[Hi Ho]

I didnt notice that either. Thanks for pointing that out. I knew there was some reason for it's lesser price. I thought the 128 bit version of the 9800 was known as the 9800 SE.

[kram 2.0]

I didnt notice that either. Thanks for pointing that out. I knew there was some reason for it's lesser price. I thought the 128 bit version of the 9800 was known as the 9800 SE.
People got pretty angry at purchasing the "9800 Pro" presuming it will perform parallel to the others. Sapphire made an apology and redubbed the 128-bit version the "Radeon 9800"...which is confusing, since there is also a 256-bit version of the Radeon 9800. Poor marketing strategy, if you ask me.

kram