Time for a new graphics card...what to choose.

[Kyoujin07]

System specs:
Gigabyte mobo with nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset
Athlon XP 2600
768mb pc2100 DDR ram

I need a decent video card to go with this system for under $200. The goal is to run FFXI at max settings w/o any slowdown. Being able to crank up the antialiasing and anisotropic filtering would be nice, but is not a must.

I've spent the last few hours researching various cards/manufactures and I'm not much better off now than when I started. This is where I could really use some help. What do you recommend? If you make a recommendation, please give me a link or URL...the sheer volume of retailers and manufacturers can be very confusing.

One last thing... I don't want to void any warrantly by overclocking. So please keep that in mind when replying.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Any mid level card from ATI or nV will accomplish that task. My R9600pro gets 4000 on their benchmark, meaning it's well above the requiremenet.


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[coolsquirtle]

Radeon 9600pro

BBA!!

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
bring it fanATics~~ nVidia PWNS all!
SCREW aBOX! LONG LIVE nBOX!!

 

[Buhatma]

I also vote for the BBA Radeon 9600 Pro (Note BBA = Built By ATI)
Seeing as I just bought one for my wifes PC. I think that it's the strongest mid-range card out right now.

2.8C @ 3.5 w/ slk-800u and smart fan 2, Abit IC7-G, 2 x 256mb Geil Platinum pc4000, Radeon 9700 Pro 375/335, 2 x WD Raptor in Raid 0

 

[HardWareBoss]

My vote goes to 9600Pro.

 

[scottchen]

Why built by ATI?

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.575G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800np @ 432/760 -SB audigy -120G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Because unless he reviews more, then he might get a Powercolor or GigaPuke underperfoming card, or even a Sapphire with 3.3ns memory. Otherwise any well researched, and meets the specs, R9600Pro should do. BBA is just a standard IMO. You know what you gonna get (and with the R9600XT that may be less than the OEM-partners :frown: ).


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[bandikoot]

One advantage of the retail box sapphire ultimate over the bba retail box is the package, but that depends on if you want Soldier of Fortune II and a couple of handy connectors for about $16 more.

 

[scottchen]

oh, I didn't know Sapphire used 3.3ns memory.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.575G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800np @ 432/760 -SB audigy -120G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yeah their base Atlantis R9600PRO has more types of memory modules associated with it than Carmen Electra's has 'partners'.

The Sapphire Atlantis R9600Pro (regular edition) can have Samsung 2.86, Entrontech 2.86, Samsun 3.0 and Samsun 3.3ns memory. I've even heard people Mention getting the Hynix 2.8ns memory (which clocks lower than the Samsung 2.86ns memory) but I've seen no reviews with pics of that.

The Sapphire Atlantis R9600Pro FIREBLADE edition is guaranteed to come with the Samsung 2.86ns memory, and Guaranteed to overclock to at least 325mhz.

Usually they are god choices, but they can be hit and miss, which made me drop them from an initial GREAT choice, to a GOOD choice, just be sure what you get. The Core on the non-Fireblade editions also seem to be the ones REJECTED by the fireblade edition which obviously has dibs on the BEST chips availible at the time of production.


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[scottchen]

Thanks ape, I'll try to find a 9600pro Fireblade then, because i REALLY can't live with the performance of Geforce2 MX400.

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.575G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800np @ 432/760 -SB audigy -120G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[daddywags214]

I know how you feel!

<b>nVidia cheated on me so I left her for ATi. ATi's hotter anyway...</b>

 

[scottchen]

You own one of those?

-Intel PIV 2.6C @ 3.575G -Asus P4P800 -OCZ Copper 2x256 4000EL memory @ 275mhz 3-4-4-8 -Sapphire 9800np @ 432/760 -SB audigy -120G Maxtor Diamond Plus9 S-ATA150 hdd -450 Enermax PSU

 

[ZZSpaceman]

BBA 9600 PRO. Lot's of headroom for overclocking & good quality for the money. I OC mine to 520/325 MHz core/memory without any artifacts. Video quality is great.

ZZSpaceman

 

[Rubberbband]

I also have the BBA 9600 Pro and I can personnaly attest to the image quality. I've had to put my GF4 Ti 4200 back in because the fan on my 9600 Pro gave up the ghost and I can't believe the difference in image quality.

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