Maximum PC

Hello everyone,

I have narrowed down my purchasing choice to 3 cards for my new PC. Please, anybody with experience with these cards or good knowledge of them help me out with some advice. They all seem like solid choices but I'am having a real hard time deciding. Also, I'am trying to stay below $300 so keep that in mind. All prices are via newegg.

ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL - $268 (256MB ram would be nice)

Leadtek nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "A400 TDH" -RETAIL - $286 (New chipset but I'am a little concerned about it being the "low-end" model)

MSI ATI RX9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/S-Video, 8X AGP, Model "RX9800PRO-TD128" -RETAIL - $196 (9800XT for under 200 dollar = can't lose)

So, any help out there from you hardware geniuses? I'am building a box strictly for gaming so 1024x768 framerates with bells and whistles is my biggest concern. Also does 128MB vs 256MB of ram on the video card make a big difference? I only ask cause they drastically bump up the price for the extra 128MB. Thanks in advance.

most people are gonna say the MSI becasuse you get the most bang for you buck. but if your strictly buliding a gaming machine and can afford the 6800, have at it, it has DDR3 and is pretty becoming standard for gamers. but also if you want you could buy the MSI and oc it to 6800 clock speeds but im not sure but i dont think it would match the performance.

Get the 6800. It WON'T have DDR3, just DDR. The only vanilla 6800 card I'm aware of with GDDR3 is the Asus. Otherwise you'll only find GDDR3 on the 6800 GT and Ultra.

The 6800 is essentially a generation ahead of the 9800. If you want to consider an ATi card, look at the X800s. Though the 6800 is a better card to buy now that you won't want to upgrade in a few months.

definitely the leadtek 6800 is a good choice. if you were to get the 9800pro, just get the msi card since its less than 200bucks and you will save some money. you can get the raeon 9800pro cards for 200bucks now a days. as for the ram issue pertaining to the 128megs vs 256megs, i heard games like far cry take advantages of the extra 128megs and you will get a bit more framerates.

again get the leadtek 6800.

i really wouldn't pay the extra dough for the extra 128MB on a video card.

<-- happy owner of a Leaktek 6800 standard.

currently waiting for RivaTuner to unlock the 4 pipelines.

Well, I guess it's unanimous. 6800 it is. Thanks for all the constructive feedback everyone.

upgrade 9800 pro to xt

http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?lo ... =92&var2=0
9800 pro 256 meg.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductde ... ideo+Cards