How bad is my ATI Radeon 9600XT 128mb??

[gw_1017]

I got a 9600xt a year ago for my computer, thinking I was going to do a minor upgrade. The upgrade never happened so the graphics card stayed in the box until now. I finally built a new computer with the exception of a new graphics card. I figured I could use this one until I save up for a really high end one, but I would like to know IS IT THAT BAD???

I realize its no where near the level of the newer ones, but if its not terrible then I figured I could use it for a little while.

I am not a heavy gamer, but I do play 2-3 times a week...Medal of Honor type games. I also work in 3ds max and autocad regularly.

Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated guys/gals.

Thanks very much.

 

[lakedude]

Is your new motherboard AGP or PCI express (or both)?

 

[Dr_Octagon]

I am currently trying to replace this card but I can run Doom3 and COD 2. I am running and athlonXP 3200 with 1GB DDR PC-3200. I use the overclocking software called the AtiTool to squeeze all I can out of it. Like I said I can run the latest games at 800 X600 and sometimes at 1024 X768 but no anti aliasing. The biggest limitation is it only 4 pipe lines. Stock speeds for the the card are 500 gpu and 300 RAM. I currently have it overclocked to 570 and 328.

 

[cleeve]

How bad is it?

That depends, does it do what you want it to?

If you can play games at settings to your liking, it's fine. If you find that it's unplayable, you should get a better card.

Your question is completely subjective. Don't upgrade based on what other people think of your videocard...

 

[gw_1017]

New motherboard is both agp and pci-e.

I haven't installed it yet, thats why I'm getting opinions first. I figured I could sell it and cut my losses and invest in a mid range card such as a 6800gt or 6800 gs; or wait it out and save up for a top of the line card.

New system

amd 64 x2 3800
2gb dual channel ram (4x 512mb)

 

[Rabidpeanut]

I have these specs

Athlon 64 3500+
1024 Mb DDR 400
939 Socket (who the hell buys the other one?)
ATI Radeon 9600xt Bravo

I can run most games on 1024*768 like Call of Duty 2, Quake 4 (1024 and on high), F.E.A.R. all CPU options on full but graphics on medium (this is one ugly game on low) but i run it on low else the performance makes the game feel like the adrenaline(slow motion) is leaking. I have not tried aoe3 or b&w2 (I DONT WANT TO... *EVER*!) But the card will run most games, just dont benchmark it, it makes you feel bad about yourself. Personally i feel it is good enough for someone who is just getting a computer for the first time or who has been out of the loop for a long while(i was(out of the loop) and that is why i bought it

:bangs head:

If you can, sell it and buy an Nvidia from that card's era, they have shader 3 so they will last longer even if you get something a bit slower, The card is too fast for it's tech level, like most ati's. So go for an Nvidia of about the same level, you wont regret it.

Before you all flame me for sounding like a turncoat

I.

LIKE.

ATI.

A *LOT*.

So there.

I would buy a matrox but my pockets are not deep enough. And i am too dumb to find DX9 drivers for it.

 

[lakedude]

You already know the answer to your main question. The 9600XT was once the cream of the crop and is now barely worth having, like pretty much all computer hardware after a few years. The real question is if the 9600 is good enough for you. I've got a 9600 Pro-Turbo (what ever that means) in my laptop and I'm perfectly happy with that card in that system.

If are looking for an excuse to spend a little hard earned than the 6800GS is your best choice at around $200. The GS will destroy the 9600. The GT is not any better than the GS and the GT is over priced. The higer clock of the GS makes up for it being 4 pipes short.

6800 GS:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150118

If you are really wanting something nice the 7800 GT is awesome but it runs around $300.

7800 GT:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130247

 

[lakedude]

Benchmark wise the 9600 XT gets about 1500 on 3dMark 05, the 6800 GT gets 4 or 5 thousand depending on the rest of the system (PCI-e vs AGP setup), and the 7800 GT weighs in around 7000 all at 1024 by 768 with 4xaa and 8xaf.

Note I had to use 3dMark because it was the only test that spanned all these cards. I'm having trouble finding a 3dMark score for the 6800 GS at that res. to compare to. Note also that he XFX version is factory overclocked so it will be even faster than a reference board. Anyhow the XFX 6800 GS should beat the 6800 GT in just about everything including value.

 

[gw_1017]

Hey! Thanks alot for the input. I think I may just go ahead and try it and if it doesn't work for me, I'll try the 6800 gs.

I would like to have the 7800, but I would like to see cards in action before I spent that much money.

 

[Rabidpeanut]

Personally if i were going for one of the new cards i would wait for the 1900 or whatever they are going to call it, the Nvidia's are better quality in general but i am partial to ATI , i would still buy an Nvidia if i could find one that is cheaper/mhz. But my ram is red so might as well get a red card. (My pc is uglier than that pink orc in lord of the rings , i just want an ati...