OT: Video Cards

Rizon · 05-21-2004, 01:34 PM

My GeForce4-ti4600 (128mb) recently croaked ... so I need a new graphics card. While it was alive, it was a great card for me, never had a problem with it.

It's been a year and a half since I got it, so I haven't really paid attention to whats out there. I think the nvidia MXs were crap, and the FX ones melted? And ATI has made alot of advancements?

Anyways, I was looking for suggestions. I have a P4-1700, 768ram, and it has a 4xAGP slot. I'd like another comparable card to the ti4600, and not something so overpowerful that it is not going to be fully utilized by my computer.

I see on atacom.com they have a RADEON 9600 128MB DDR W/TV/DVI/TWIN VIDEO CARD - BULK POWERED BY ATI VIDEO CARD for only $104. Plus its got a heatsink instead of a fan (which I was told was better?).

Mr. Wednesday · 05-21-2004, 01:41 PM

nVidia's MX cards are the low-end neutered (both performance and features) part of their product line. ATI has their own versions that do the same thing.

What do you plan to do that will stress your card? I'm not sure what the top end of a P4-1700 is (honestly, I don't guess it's all that good), but even so, when you crank up the resolution and visual effects, it's usually the gfx card that limits performance, not the CPU.

The ATI RADEON cards are definitely good options. I'm not sure, offhand, whether ~$100 is a good price for a non-pro 9600.

If it's passively cooled, the advantage there is with sound level in your system, there aren't any other advantages.

Rizon · 05-21-2004, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Wednesday

What do you plan to do that will stress your card? I'm not sure what the top end of a P4-1700 is (honestly, I don't guess it's all that good), but even so, when you crank up the resolution and visual effects, it's usually the gfx card that limits performance, not the CPU.

.

Well, honestly, besides OOTP and FOF, just games like MoH, CoD, EQ, some of those newer Star Wars Jedi games, Serious Sam, etc etc, also large porn movies of course. The ti4600 did a wonderful job for me, never had any performance problems ... so I'd like something similar to that or maybe even better, I'd pay upwards to $200.

Easy Mac · 05-21-2004, 02:09 PM

For $200 you can get an ATI 9800. Don't go for anything under a 9600 pro from ATI and proabably a 5700 from Nvidia. I can run KOTOR on my Athlon 2500+ decently with an Nvidia 5200, but with a slower (not sure the actual number difference) system, you definitely need a better card than that. And for reference, the ATI 9200's are more or less equal to the Nvidia 5200, 9600 to 5600-5700, and 9800 pro to a 5900. Not sure if they make 9600XT's, but that may be the best bang for your buck.

pjstp20 · 05-21-2004, 07:44 PM

It depends on how long you want to wait. Right now your gonna pay about 150-175 for an ATI 9600XT, and 175-225 for a 9800 pro or 150-175 for a Nvidia 5700 or 175-200 for a 5900. Anything lower than that is almost worthless for gaming. If you want to wait a few weeks, you can get a next generation midrange card for the same price, and it will perform a lot better, plus the prices for the aforementioned cards will drop. How long you'll have to wait is the question. My guess right now is about six weeks.

You're right any card over 300 dollars is a waste for you because you'll be CPU limited.

hukarez · 05-22-2004, 05:40 AM

The 9600s are good and all...but they don't quite seem nearly match the performance of the 9700. Considering that you're bound to spend at least $150 or so on a 9600, I'd recommend just going with an extra $50 or so to get a 9800 Pro.

One of my old co-workers in Long Beach, runs a website that deals with computer parts. I was talking parts with him like we used to back in the day over the phone a couple of days ago, and it turns out he's working with his buddy who runs a business on the 'net selling parts. In any case, it seems they're a direct competitor for newegg and what not.

I'll have to call him up again and inquire about the website...but there's apparently a sister site about as well. Er, nonetheless I was going to pick up a 9600 Pro w/ 256 meg for $149...but figured, I'd be better off with a 9800 Pro 128 for just $50 more.

In my case, it's a PowerColor, as opposed to a Connect 3D something...

05-22-2004, 05:40 AM	#6
hukarez College Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Chula Vista, CA	The 9600s are good and all...but they don't quite seem nearly match the performance of the 9700. Considering that you're bound to spend at least $150 or so on a 9600, I'd recommend just going with an extra $50 or so to get a 9800 Pro. One of my old co-workers in Long Beach, runs a website that deals with computer parts. I was talking parts with him like we used to back in the day over the phone a couple of days ago, and it turns out he's working with his buddy who runs a business on the 'net selling parts. In any case, it seems they're a direct competitor for newegg and what not. I'll have to call him up again and inquire about the website...but there's apparently a sister site about as well. Er, nonetheless I was going to pick up a 9600 Pro w/ 256 meg for $149...but figured, I'd be better off with a 9800 Pro 128 for just $50 more. In my case, it's a PowerColor, as opposed to a Connect 3D something... __________________ ...what we have here is a man who looks like Tarzan, but fights like Jane! My VG collection \| Xbox 360 Gamertag: ManThol \| PS3 Network ID: hukarez Doce Pares International - San Diego Council Filipino Martial Arts Digest tweet tweet twitter

05-21-2004, 01:41 PM	#2
Mr. Wednesday Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South Bend, IN	nVidia's MX cards are the low-end neutered (both performance and features) part of their product line. ATI has their own versions that do the same thing. What do you plan to do that will stress your card? I'm not sure what the top end of a P4-1700 is (honestly, I don't guess it's all that good), but even so, when you crank up the resolution and visual effects, it's usually the gfx card that limits performance, not the CPU. The ATI RADEON cards are definitely good options. I'm not sure, offhand, whether ~$100 is a good price for a non-pro 9600. If it's passively cooled, the advantage there is with sound level in your system, there aren't any other advantages.

05-21-2004, 02:09 PM	#4
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	For $200 you can get an ATI 9800. Don't go for anything under a 9600 pro from ATI and proabably a 5700 from Nvidia. I can run KOTOR on my Athlon 2500+ decently with an Nvidia 5200, but with a slower (not sure the actual number difference) system, you definitely need a better card than that. And for reference, the ATI 9200's are more or less equal to the Nvidia 5200, 9600 to 5600-5700, and 9800 pro to a 5900. Not sure if they make 9600XT's, but that may be the best bang for your buck.

05-21-2004, 07:44 PM	#5
pjstp20 High School Varsity Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL	It depends on how long you want to wait. Right now your gonna pay about 150-175 for an ATI 9600XT, and 175-225 for a 9800 pro or 150-175 for a Nvidia 5700 or 175-200 for a 5900. Anything lower than that is almost worthless for gaming. If you want to wait a few weeks, you can get a next generation midrange card for the same price, and it will perform a lot better, plus the prices for the aforementioned cards will drop. How long you'll have to wait is the question. My guess right now is about six weeks. You're right any card over 300 dollars is a waste for you because you'll be CPU limited.

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