I've decided to buy a new video card after Christmas, I've sort of decided on a 6800GT but I'm not sure whether to go for the regular 6800 128mb or even a 9800pro 128mb. I know that my system isn't very powerful, but now i've finished University and i'm about to start a proper job in the new year i'm not going to change my CPU/Motherboard/RAM until I can afford a decent system with 64-bit, BTX and PCI-express/SLI all on one system.. The thing is, I want a great card that'll run current games good framerates and eye candy turned up, latest game technology support etc.. I bought my Ti just as Directx 9.0 games came out, it has coped well but framerates could be improved upon with the latest games. I just want to be able to see the latest games in all their glory at 1280x1024 (the highest res my monitor will do), not settle for low/medium @ 800x600 graphics settings. I know that a 6800GT would be wasted on my pitiful current system, it has Shader modeller 3 support and 256mb of fast memory, the regular 6800 128mb has half the memory, 4 less pixel pipelines but isn't that much cheaper anyway, so i'd rather pay the extra £40 for the GT if i'm going to be spending £200+ anyway. I also know that an AGP card will be useless when I eventually upgrade to PCi Express. So what about the 9800pro 128mb?? Why haven't the prices plumeted yet???, They still cost nearly as much as a 6800 128mb, which i'd rather have....except for the GT for an extra £40 (And so the whole thing loops over and over in my head!) I've thought about a 6600GT AGP, which are very reasonably priced (less regrets come the time to shove it in a draw for the rest of its life) It has Shader modeller 3 support, but is only 128-bit and 128Meg But how much of a performance boost would a 6600GT offer me over my ti4200 and how would it compare to the other cards i've considered?? Games it'll need to handle: Farcry, Doom3, HL2, GTA San Andreas PC.. and any other games due next year.. Thanks to anyone who can get me out of this rather irritating thought loop. AMD Athlon XP2200+ Aero7 lite 512mb Crucial pc2700 Abit NF7-s V2.0 80GB Seagate SATA 120GB Seagate SATA Geforce4 Ti4200 128mb Benq FP767-12 17" 12ms SB live 5.1 Digital

Ok This is the deal you could buy a card that you will pay $700-$800 on and in the new year you will be in the same place you are now go big Leadtek A400 6800 it may be pricey but its worth more than you are paying for it and it will be an awsome card for ages after. OK you pay $700aud for a card and for just $300aud more you get a 3 times faster/better card it is the logical thing to do and this will kick a** even on your system. Ps Leadtech A400 6800 is AGP8x so make sure your PC is AGP8x before Spending ok. Catchya

Ohh And i forgot why pay money on a card now when you are planning on a new PC later if you got an A400 it will be good in your current PC and even better in your new PC!

Your current rig is not a push over IMO, and about your comment "I just want to be able to see the latest games in all their glory", that is not a decisive rationale for splurging on a new card or you might as well be upgrading your card every season. A fast card is only complemented by an equally fast PC and getting a 6800GT for your current rig is like putting a HEMI into a neon. I'd suggest getting something like the 9800Pro (128mb) for now, the price is about right and performance wise it is much better than your current TI4200. Newegg's refurb page has some deals on those and they really go fast, I know some people will say it is a bad to shop at that section but with your intention I don't see what you really gotta lose. When you build your monster rig get a monster card for it. That is my opinion. -- Have a Happy Holiday --

Take a look at the 6600GT, might be a decent card to hold you over to you get your new system. you will not be able to use it on a PCI Express mobo,. Definatley not a bad way to hold yourself over until you save up more money however. This one looks nice. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-150&depa=0

Didnt read rest of your post : \ Anyways, that card will beat a 9800XT in most benchmarks. It won't perform nearly as well as a 6800GT or X800 but it doesnt come with the steep proce tag either. It should run all games on your system quit fine for atleast a year ; )

Cheers for the ideas, I think i'll probably go for a 6800 128mb (non-ultra), they're only about £30 more than a 9800pro or 6600gt after shopping around. If I bought a 6600GT, i'd regret not spending the measly extra £30 on the better card. I can't buy one from newegg because i'm in the UK, so shipping and excise duty would make it more expensive than buying a 6800GT over here, At least with the 6800 128mb, if I decided to upgrade to a regular AMD 64-bit sooner than planned (before PCI express and 64-bit are available in one system), i'd have a reasonable card to match it.. Thanks for the suggestions and Merry Christmas! AMD Athlon XP2200+ Aero7 lite 512mb Crucial pc2700 Abit NF7-s V2.0 80GB Seagate SATA 120GB Seagate SATA Geforce4 Ti4200 128mb Benq FP767-12 17" 12ms SB live 5.1 Digital