Comparable video card to the ATI 9800 Pro

[Brent94Z]

Ok, guys, very aggravated right now

I've been doing a lot of research and wanting to build both a killer HTPC and also a darn good main PC to replace my aging PIII750. Well, I obviously didn't do enough research

I've never built a computer before but ordered all kinds of stuff from NewEgg and it came in a couple weeks ago. Finally got a chance to put it all together yesterday. I got a Soyo P4I875P Dragon 2 V1.0 motherboard and ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256mb card for my HTPC and the same motherboard but a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb card for my main PC. After much struggling and a finally a visit to the Soyo home page and a call to tech support, I find out that the Radeon cards are NOT compatible with my motherboard. ARRGHH!!!! The problem is that I really like both this motherboard and the video cards I have based on what I've been reading about them.

It would be a bigger pain to change out the mb (processor installed, thermal paste, blah, blah) and send it back than it would for the video card. Plus, if I keep the motherboard, I can at least get Sage up and running with my $10 video card I found in the closet but just wait to view it on my TV for when I get a new video card

So, based on what I've said, are the ATI 9800 Pro cards THAT much better than the alternatives that I should go to the trouble of changing out the motherboard? Or, is there an alternative video card out there that you guys think is as good or better than the 9800 Pro card?

If I go the different video card route, Stanger89 previously suggested the 5900XT card but there was talk that one was like the "minimum". I don't want to do minimum... I have been saving $$$ for this thing for a while and want to do something very good for both my HTPC and also for playing some games if I decide to do that. I'll spend $300 give or take too so I should be able to get something pretty good. I'd like to get something from NewEgg or TigerDirect since I can get them pretty quick and I'm anxious to get this thing off my counter and put together!!!

I was looking at the nVidia GeForce 6600 GT. and here too at NewEgg. Neither place appear to have them in stock This appears to be the 256 bit version?. But, basically, I don't know what I'm looking for. LOL! Can anybody recommend a card that NewEgg sells that is comparable or better than the 9800 Pro card, has exceptional S-Video out capablities (for my big screen, will be using VGA/DVI for the projector), and will do the once in a while Doom 3 if I want to play that

Thanks in advance to the video card gurus for helping me out

[stanger89]

Is your big screen HD? If so then go for the 6600GT, you should be able to run component and DVI/VGA simultaneously. If not, for $300 go for a 6800, Gigabyte has a fanless one (I like mine).

[Brent94Z]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Is your big screen HD? If so then go for the 6600GT, you should be able to run component and DVI/VGA simultaneously. If not, for $300 go for a 6800, Gigabyte has a fanless one (I like mine).

Nope. My big screen is a standard definition 4:3 TV.

Is this the one you are talking about? If so, not in stock.

But, here is a similar one that IS in stock and even comes with Doom3
Giga-byte nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "GV-N68T256DH" (Hardware monitoring) but it has a fan. Might be able to justify the higher cost since it comes with a game I was going to buy anyway

[stanger89]

Yeah, that's the one I have, actually it was out of stock at newegg when I bought it so I got mine from buy.com.

[rotaryracer]

eWiz has the Gigabyte fanless 6800 for $291 and free shipping. Use this Pricewatch link, otherwise the price is $314.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=GA-GF6800&c=pw

I haven't used eWiz before, so do your own due dilligence before ordering!

Jason

[Brent94Z]

Thanks, Jason for the link! I ended up ordering the Gigabyte 6800 GT 256 meg card from NewEgg. By ordering from NewEgg I could avoid the near $45 restocking fees on the 9800 Pro card I wanted to return so it kinda made sense

Thanks again! I'll let you know how I make out with the new card