VALUE Doom 3: Video and Audio
Video
Recommendation: PNY Verto GeForce 6800 128MB DDR 256-bitPrice: $278 shipped
The Doom 3 Graphics benchmarking showed the basic GeForce 6800 performing about the level of an X800 XT Platinum in Doom 3. At about half the price, this is quite an achievement for the 6800. The latest ATI Catalyst 4.9 drivers improve the ATI performance a bit, but no matter how you cast it, there is no doubt that the 6800 is an outstanding value for playing Doom 3.
Before you scream that we call a $278 video card a bargain, consider the alternatives. There frankly are none at this point ,if you want comparable performance for the dollar. ATI does not have a top-line variant at the $300 price point and the 6800 certainly blows away the older Video cards that can cost even more. For example , at plain old 1024X768 the 6800 is 75% faster in Doom 3 than either the ATI 9800 XT or the nVidia 5950, both of which cost about $50-$100 more than the 6800.
We are building a Value Doom 3 system, but the goal is still to be able to play Doom 3 at really acceptable levels. The nVidia GeForce 6800 fits that definition very well.
The 6800 is 12 pipes clocked at 325MHz with memory at 700Mhz. The 6800 also has 128MB of memory instead of the 256MB seen on the 6800 GT and 6800 Ultra. The 6800 core chip, however, is the same 6 series that represents a new generation for nVidia.
Sound Card
Recommendation: On-Board CMedia CM19761APrice: $0
As we discussed in the Mainstream Doom 3 sound options, AnandTech found that the on-board sound was very satisfying for Doom 3 play with the typical powered 5.1 speakers. The recommended Value board, the Chaintech VNF3-250, features the well-regarded CMedia CM19761A chipset providing 5.1 sound capabilities to match the surround sound supported by Doom 3.
The CMedia codec supports up to 6-channel audio. More information on the features and specifications of the CM19761A is available at the CMedia website.
Listed below is part of our RealTime pricing engine, which lists the lowest prices available on nVidia video cards from many different reputable vendors:
If you cannot find the lowest prices on the products that we've recommended on this page, it's because we don't list some of them in our RealTime pricing engine. Until we do, we suggest that you do an independent search online at the various vendors' web sites. Just pick and choose where you want to buy your products by looking for a vendor located under the "Vendor" heading.
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Wesley Fink - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
#11 - I've corrected the quote to the 9800 XT which is what was intended on page 10. The same information was correct in the summary on page 11. Sorry for the confusion. The 9800 PRO is around $200 these days but the 9800 XT is still priced at around $380-$390 for some strange reason.Mermaidman - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
[q]a plain, old 1024X768, the 6800 is 75% faster in Doom 3 than either the ATI 9800 PRO or the nVidia 5950, both of which cost about $50-$100 more than the 6800.[/q]I doubt that a 9800Pro costs $50-$100 more than a 6800.
Illissius - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
It's ok for the most part... some things are odd though. You measured that D3 uses up to 1.5GB of memory, if available. Why, then, did you put only 1GB in the Performance system? Should've been 2. Also, why, oh why did you not use an uber LCD? Dell 2001FP, or the Viewsonic VP201 if buying from Dell is a nono. Third, the mainstream system should've used value RAM - it costs almost half as much, and really isn't much slower than the fastest omg uber hyper enthusiast XMS turbo alpha street fighter platinum EXTREME stuff*, at all.Other than those, I agree with all of the choices, even the 6800 for the value system. I was about to suggest an even lower category, for the $500 guys, until I realized that you really can't fit anything half decent in if you have to include monitors and speakers.
* In the interest of full disclosure, this was Inspired by the following quote from bash.org:
* ArSa is not a scsi expert :
* slurpee was a scsi expert until they came out with 134533109 flavors of it
slurpee: like ULTRA 2 WIDE MEGA XL ALPHA STREET FIGHTER SCSI
jediknight - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
All I have to say is *damn*.A 6800 in the value system? Yikes! My poor 9800 Pro that'll be arriving whenever ATI gets around to it seems inadequate :-<
Godsend1 - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
I have never seen a value video card priced at $300.kherman - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
PERFORMANCE Doom 3 monior.OK it's nto a bad monitor, but I can think of better.
kherman - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
#2:640x480 low quality.
The categaory you complained about was value, not crap.
kherman - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
Ggiabyte 6800? NO! The BFG 6800 is the best. Damn complementary copy. Even the internet is doomed these daysRapsven - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
Considering that many Americans usually buy systems ranging from 1400-2000 on Dell, I'd think that's pretty 'mainstream'.You've been reading too many "i need a systemzorz for 500 bux plz" threads.
Regs - Saturday, August 7, 2004 - link
Please note that the listed hardware was for mainstream Doom 3 and not mainstream in general. A 1000 dollars for a computer that can run a game like D3 at 1280x1240 @ high quality is awesome. Dell would charge you well over 2 Grand if not more. Not only will you be able to play D3 at high settings, but Far Cry, Hl2 (if it ever comes out), and next generation games. I'd say that's great value.