Which graphics card should I buy?

[DayAfter]

I am new to gaming on the computer and I want to purchase a graphics card. I found two cards that are in my price range and was wondering which was the better card.

Below is the information:

CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model"SA6800-128" -RETAIL

Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: nVIDIA GeForce 6800/325MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/700MHz
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out (S-Video/Composite) + DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9, OpenGL 1.5
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Cable/Accessories: S-Video Cable, Composite Cable, SV to AV Cable, DVI to VGA adaptor, Power Cable, Manual, Driver CD



Price: $269.00

OR

ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL

- Specifications -

Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9800PRO/380MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/680MHz
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video + Composite Out)+DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: 2 DVI to D-Sub Adapters, 2 Cables, Driver CD, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Retail Box (See pics for details)


Price: $219

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I noticed the Radeon has a faster core speed but the 6800 has a faster memory speed...

Does this 6800 above have a 16 pipe bandwidth or 8? What about the Radeon? Anyhow both cards look so similiar and so I am wondering which is better.

Anyhow any suggestions??

[Tekk]

Sticky post tells all:

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t94012.html

[DayAfter]

Thanks for the link. It looks like the 6800 is better. 12 pipes verses 8...

[chess1]

If you’re going to play today’s/future computer games like Doom 3, Rome Total War, Warhammer, and Quake IV. get Geforce 6800 GT. The Geforce 6800 GT utilizes the Shader Model 3.0 which will be a limitation in future games like Quake IV for shadow and lighting effects with that ATI Radeon 9800pro. Check out the latest issue of PC Gamer for screenshots of Quake IV. The Quake IV screenshots look almost photorealistic. Check this article out: http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...705/index.html