Mid-Range Video Card

Hi All,

Looking to upgrade my videocard (AGP) before making the move to PCI-E at the next major upgrade. Currently running a P4 3.0Ghz with 2X512 RAM and a Radeon 9800Pro.

I'm hoping to run games like Oblivion, Prey and the new NWN2 on medium\high quality at 1024, nothing to flashy here. I just want playable FPS's.

Tossing up between a HIS x1650Pro for $200AU and the faster Gainward 7600GT for $250AU. I'm a bit worried about Gainward as I heard they're like Palit and Palit cards apparently suck?

The Gainward is currently the only brand I can lay my hands on without lengthy searching and ordering online. Living in Australia sucks big time.

But I'm leaning towards the x1650Pro cause I like ATI cards and the HIS model gets good reviews. Does anyone know how the Gainward cards stack up? What does everyone think?

Many Thanks.

this hould be in hard stuff section admin please move

but i'd get a 7600gt everything i have read points to it being the better card

gainward are a good company have always made good cards ive ahd a couple and they were both brilliant

Thanks, that's all I needed to hear. As long as Gainward are reputable I'm happy to go with them.

definitely back when i first got into PC gaming gainward golden samples were the cards to have always good overclockers and good build these days the quality is still as good but most gamers would rather go for xfx or bfg and gainwards tendedto be overpriced as well until recently remember drooling over a 5950 ultra golden sample that was £500

In the short term, you could get ATITool and do a quick overclock, plus if you've got the right sort of 9800 Pro, you can flash the chip to XT speeds. I've got 412/365 off mine no problem, and it'll OC to 442/388.

Have a look here:

http://forums.overclockers.co.nz/sho...threadid=15557

to see if you've got the right card...