PCI-E Video Card Suggestions

[cfaslave]

I currently have a ATI X300 Video Card that works o.k, but not great. It doesn't work well with 3D Accelerated (choppy playback) so I can't use the "transparent" guide on BTV. I'm not entirely happy with the picture quality although it's tollerable. I'm looking for suggestions on a better PCI-E card that will give me a great picture, handle the 3D Accelerated on BTV better and not so noisy it sounds like I'm running a lawnmower in my PC.

I'm not partial to ATI or NVidea. From what I've read people like NVidea better, but it has driver problems? I'm open to suggestions from those that know.

Thanks in advance!

[mikem]

I would get a 6600 PCi-E card and make sure you get the Nvidia DVD Decoder as well along with the 67.76 drivers from nZone. This will give you a really impressive picture quality.

[darren_e]

I will back up Mikem on that one. I just ditched my ATI card for an 6600GT (AGP version) and although it is a little on the noisy side, I've never been happier with my setup. Lucky for me my case happens to dampen a good portion of the fan noise- although it's still audible, it's drowned out as soon as any audio is played.

nVidia all the way for HTPC's- and that's coming from a die hard ATI fan.

[fester]

x700 looks cheaper but 6600GT's do have performance advantage over x700's.

toms hardware or anandtech just had huge roundup review of ALL PCI Express graphics. read it. its good.

this morning i just loaded up xpress200 IGP from ATI. (pciExpress). LOL!!!! i can play Doom3 (and everything else i've tried as well) - on the TV. 800X600 res.

Also loads! and runs! ATI MCE drivers. DOH!!!!! i'm not buying a PCI express discreet card til i need one.

so discreet cards have a huge advantage of course, buts its interesting today to see how much you can get out of integrated chipsets - and the only one that utilzes DX9 is xpress200. - i'll try BTV next. just testing...

if nVidia were to intro nf4 w/ 6600 quality graphics IGP... gee that would friggin rock but so far all we have is ATI.

[cfaslave]

Thanks to everyone for the responses . I'm going to spend some time researching the 6600's.