A little opinion piece.

[nukor]

Need a new video card, and was looking for opinions/suggestions. Any help appreciated.

Thanking you!

[Morety]

The GForce 7800 seems to be getting great reviews.

[Murrie]

what are you looking to spend is the question

if money is not a problem get the 7800

I have an ATI x800xl that runs around 250-300 thats pretty damn smoking.

could get a 6600gt will run you about 150-175

I wouldn't go much lower than the 6600gt for gaming purposes

[nukor]

Sorry, should have clarified. I am thinking my top end should be $250.00. Most bang for the buck kinda thing. :D

[Riddick]

6800GT 256mb with 2 gig of RAM is working as a sweet combo for me

[Murrie]

AGP or PCI?

[Murrie]

IM guessing AGP,

I think either the nvidia 6800GT or the ati x800xl would run around 250 (maybe slightly more) for the 256mb versions - either would be an excelent choice.

[Blat]

I vote for the Nvidia based 6600GT as the starter, and if you can get a 6800GT for not much more even better..
I hate those ATI drivers.. nvidia drivers are easy to update.
You better be sure you are ordering what you need, Murrie's right, AGP or PCIexpress are 2 different cards.. too easy to order the wrong card type. If your motherboard is new (6 months or less) it's probably for sure PCIxpress.
Otherwise good chance it's AGP motherboard.
I just searched Newegg.com and looks like you can get a AGP 6800 starting at $289 (only one model in AGP) but the AGP 6600GT's start at $149 or so, and several models.
I've run a AGP 6600GT for at least 6 months now at 1600x1200 it doesnt lag. I like the Chaintech AGP 6600GT that I have, it's supposed to be less noisy than some. got it at zipzoomfly.
If you're putting it in a AGP motherboard, I'd say get the 6600GT, as your motherboard is getting old anyway.. save money for new PCIxpress mobo and a 7800 or something when they come down in price.
I think the nvidia 6600GT is approx on par with the ATI x800 anyway.
here is 6600GT with 900mhz memory: $143
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=323283
another 6600GT:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322250

[nukor]

Thanks a ton guys.

[Eseave]

I have the ati x800 have not had prob with yet. Love it.

[Blat]

forgot this: anandtech.com puts out almost monthly a recommended video card list based on price and performance, and they price/compare both ati and nvidia: here is october's guide:
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2546