Best card for around $200?

[[XC] 4X4N]

Ok, I'm no gamer, so I have no real clue about video cards. I'm putting together a system for a friend and am looking for some video card ideas. His budget is around $200. I was thinking about these:

8600GTS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130086)

1950XT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067)

7950GT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130074)

1950PRO w/AC Cooler (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131027)

Is the 8600GTS the best performer? I'm leaning toward it because it also has DX10 support. I like the 1950 Pro for the cooling, hopefully it would be quieter than than the others.

So, give me some suggestions. Go ahead and list some other cards that you would recommend.

Thanks!

[LagunaX]

Interesting thread for you:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=143222

[Hard H20]

Out of the choices you have listed for your price range the 1950XT hands down.

[SaFrOuT]

wait till 1st of july and get him a 2600XT with 512mb or 256mb GDDR3 for less than 200$

and i think that getting a DX10 card will be a better idea

[adamsleath]

:hm: in australia x1950pro is 200aud and x1950xt is 280aud.

wow an x2900xt for 280 aud what a bargain that wood be - can't see that happening.

[FlawleZ]

X1950XT hands down. It will destroy the 8600GTS and is a good deal faster than an X1950Pro.

The X1950XT is unbeatable at $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

[adamsleath]

even a 1950 pro beats 8600gts

[leoftw]

Pos

[Lyshen]

Wow the link that FlawleZ gave... now Newegg selling the Sapphire X1950XT for $179.99 with a $30 mail in rebate, so price becomes $149.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

Nice price, although not fond of mail in rebates.

[DilTech]

If you can afford to go a bit higher, a 8800GTS 320mb is your friend. If not X1950XT ALL THE WAY!.

Either card will serve you well.

[DAK1640]

x1950XT FTW...:up: :up: :up:

[HiJon89]

You can get a used X1950XTX or 7900GTX for that much.

[leoftw]

You can get a used X1950XTX or 7900GTX for that much.



Used is the key word , I hate used stuff :P

[HiJon89]

Used is the key word , I hate used stuff :P
Well when you're getting 20FPS in Crysis at least you can tell yourself the parts are brand new :rolleyes:

[ineedaname]

If you can find one a 7900GTO or GTX would b good.

Otherwise I'd go with the 1950XT.

[Jimmer411]

1950XT by far.

[GrimReaper]

beg, borrow or steal another $60-70 somehow ask him to get a GTS 320, with a gts 320 he can always game when and if he wnats to