September Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 5

Video Card: GeForce 7600 GT 256MB - PCI Express

Current Cost: $153
Months on list: 2
Price Change: -$15

Last time out, we welcomed the NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB card to our value system configuration, and noted that it was a perfect match for our price-performance requirements. This month we find a more crowded graphics market, with new entrants like the GeForce 7900 GS and 7950 GT, along with the ATI Radeon 1650 Pro and a 256MB version of the Radeon X1900 XT. At this time, none of these cards combines the $150-$160 price range with mainstream performance, but we'll be keeping an eye on these new contenders in the future, especially the $200 GeForce 7900 GS. Until then, the GeForce 7600 GT makes a near-perfect match for our AMD and Intel systems, and fits in well with our $1K budget.

The GeForce 7600 GT 256MB features a streamlined 90nm core that, in many ways, is similar to a GeForce 7900 cut in half. The GPU features 12 pixel pipelines, 5 vertex shaders, 8 raster operators, and 24 ALUs, and the GeForce 7600 GT includes all the features of a GeForce 7900. The clock speeds are also impressive, and the GeForce 7600 GT 256MB runs at 560 MHz core and 1400 MHz DDR memory speeds. The GeForce 7600 GT is fully Shader Model 3.0 compliant and offers standard features like PureVideo, UltraShadow II, IntelliSample 4, and SLI.

The card also includes 256MB of GDDR3 running on a 128-bit bus, which again, is exactly half that of a top-end GeForce 7900 GTX. The 128-bit memory interface is also more in line with a GeForce 6600 than a 6800, but the clock speeds are high enough to compensate. The GeForce 7600 GT GPU is a 90nm part, which is smaller and cooler than the 110nm GeForce 6800 GS it is replacing, and well ahead of the older 130nm GeForce 6 Series. The smaller GPU cooler and the lack of an external power connector are two of the main benefits. This could also translate into some additional overclocking headroom, but as many vendors are overclocking "out of the box", your mileage will definitely vary.

While we don't choose a specific model, mostly due to fluctuating supplies and availability, we can recommend both the Albatron GeForce 7600 GT 256MB card (pictured above) and PNY GeForce 7600 GT 256MB card (pictured below). Both cards offer an excellent mix of high performance and low price, making these a perfect match for our value system configurations.

Due to the 90nm GeForce 7600 GT graphics processing unit, there are also some very innovative designs coming out, like the fanless cards from both ASUS and Gigabyte. These are especially attractive to users who want to lower ambient noise, as well as lower power consumption.

We are continuing to list an ATI video card alternative at the same price range. After all, just like AMD and Intel processors, some people feel more comfortable with a video card from either NVIDIA or ATI.

On the ATI side, it's extremely difficult to find a contender at the same price level. The Radeon X1600 XT/X1650 Pro 256MB cards are priced lower, but neither can match the GeForce 7600 GT in terms of performance. The Radeon X1800 GTO is a super performer that can pace the GeForce 7600 GT, but it comes with a higher price tag ($180-$200+). So for hardcore ATI fans, it comes down to a choice, and we'd probably pay the piper and snag a Radeon X1800 GTO, like the Sapphire card pictured below.

Display: 17" LCD with 8-12ms Response Time

Current Cost: $160
Months on list: 4
Price Change: -$20

The $1,000 budget, combined with our mandate of creating the fastest gaming system for the money, brings with it a few issues on the monitor side. We cannot use too much of our budget in a given area, and the best strategy is to distribute it evenly through the component list. We've already made the jump to a 17" gaming LCD, as this display technology is clearly the wave of the present and future. An LCD is becoming almost a requirement, if for no other reason than 19" CRTs are becoming virtually impossible to find.

We are currently recommending a generic option of an 8ms-12ms 17" LCD, which due to continued price decreases, now sits in the $160 price range. Many of these 17" units have exceptional features, offer a more visually appealing display than a standard CRT, cause less eye strain, and with a 8-12ms response time, even high speed gaming will show minimal (if any) ghosting. One concession is the difficulty in getting DVI inputs at this price range, and although the majority of LCDs at this level are analog, some are starting to feature both interfaces. The best overall LCD value is currently with the 17" models, and models from Acer, Daewoo, Rosewill, CTX, BenQ, CMV, Envision, or even Viewsonic and Samsung, are available in this price range.

Please keep in mind that when buying any type or brand of LCD, there is always the slight chance of receiving a defective unit or a flat-screen with dead pixels, so be certain to purchase only from a vendor that offers liberal return and replacement options. This is doubly important for LCDs, and be sure to check the vendor's Dead Pixel Replacement Policy and investigate any further protection you can buy.