Looking for a Graphics card, £100 budget.

[sprognak]

Building an MCE (Media Centre) system in a Shuttle SB-86i case (PCI Express). I've about £100 to spend on a video card.

My current thought is the XFX GeForce 6800 XT Extreme Edition 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI for £93.94 inc VAT.

Any input appreciated.

 

[man_from_uncle]

To be honest, that's not a bad chioce for just over £90. You might want to investigate the X1600pro/XT though. They are a little over £100. Or even the X800GTO which are about the same price.

 

[sprognak]

Just had a browse, at a push I can make OcUK GeForce 6800 GS 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) for £130. Is there anything better for that price? (Has to fit the SB86i)

 

[semi-pro waster]

The PowerColor ATI Radeon X800 GTO16 from here is also £130 and I'd probably go with it over the 6800gs. There isn't a huge amount of difference in performance but the X800 GTO16 is to all intents and purposes the same as an X850XT and I'd just take that over the 6800gs. You can't really lose with either of the cards though

 

[sprognak]

Unfortunately that won't fit in the Shuttle SG86i

 

[semi-pro waster]

Unfortunately that won't fit in the Shuttle SG86i

Sorry I didn't realise, it looks to be a single slot solution and ATI cards previously at least used to run a little cooler than the Nvidia equivalents. However if it won't fit then a 6800gs is the best option in your price range.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

if your after a media centre pc i would say drop down to a 6600gt card or up to a 6800GS since those cards have a fully working video processor.
im not sure if the xfx card your looking at is a GS card or one based on the old core that the NU/GT/Ultra used.

 

[man_from_uncle]

If you can stretch to a 6800gs it's certainly worth it. It may not be a top flight card, but it'll play pretty much any game at high settings smoothly at 1024x768.