To choose or not to Choose?

[AndyMcdee]

Well one could say that I just won the lottary and want to uppgrad my Graphic card. I've read the thread "ATI R. 9600xt and the question is what type of card and is it worth it with my current hardware.

Motherbord: http://www.soltek.de/French/product/85dr3-c.htm
Processor: Intel P4 1.8 GHZ
Ram: 768 Mb DDR 2100
Other data will be posted on request (If I can find it)

I currently have a Inno3D tornado GeForce FX 5200 (crappy?)
It is possible that I might purchase a "High-end" card, but only if i dont have to buy a new motherboard or such to be able to use it fully.
It probably should be mentioned that i am a Newbie when i comes to hardware. The reasons that I might buy a new card are DOOM III and Half-Life 2.(Deus Ex: I. wars)

I asked for the game with the most komplex bugs and setbacks
I got Windows XP

 

[cleeve]

If you're upgrading for Doom3 and Half Life 2, wait for them to come out. Video cards will be cheaper.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[AndyMcdee]

Understandable, but i just wonder what typ of card i should buy.

I asked for the game with the most komplex bugs and setbacks
I got Windows XP

 

[sab_yun]

if u dont change ur cpu up to 2.4c+,high-end graphic card is not neccessary.it can't perform well on ur current hardware.

 

[GeneticWeapon]

if u dont change ur cpu up to 2.4c+,high-end graphic card is not neccessary.it can't perform well on ur current hardware.

Your fcking stupid. His machine will perform awsome with a better graphics card. To the original poster, I would look at a Radeon 9600Pro/XT or higher for your machine. You will be delighted in the difference you'll see in your games. The card you have now is a very poor performer, and alot of people bought them thinking they would be ok.



<b>My PC</b>
<A HREF="http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-GensPC.jpg" target="_new">http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-GensPC.jpg</A>
<A HREF="http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-pc lightup.jpg" target="_new">http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-pc lightup.jpg</A>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Agreed. A P4 1.8 is good enough for any game. And the FX5200 is so bad that the difference should be quite noticeable.

Along with the R9600PRo-R9800XT.

I'd add to your list the FX5900SE and above.

Some games rely more on the CPU of course, but seriously the change from an FX5200 (even to a GF4ti) will be substantial.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[AndyMcdee]

As I in the first post I want a card that can handle DX9 games I've later learned that FX5200 has support but this seems to be in theori more than practically. all im asking for is a card that can show me the glory of a game such as DOOM III (glory? Man I'm sick).
So if my card (9800-) suffers from my somewhat slow P4 then it might be adviseable to buy a 9600-.
but if you suggest that the game recuires a better P4 and the card will work without being much held back due to my 1.8, then a 9800 may be suitable.

Here are som other questions if you have the time:
a) My Mother board supports AGP 4X, does this mean that a card that supports AGP 8X will work at 1/2 speed?
b) I know i guy who has a 9800pro that he whants to sell, lets say that he has "clocked" it, will the quality and durability of the card change if someone has tamperd with it.

Thanks for all of your replys and sorry for any spelling mistakes (Swede)

I asked for the game with the most komplex bugs and setbacks
I got Windows XP

 

[BirdRobin]

Geforce FX5900SE aka FX5900XT?? Same?

Athlon XP 1800+ (1.52ghz) O/Ced.
Gigabyte GA-7VKML
Powercolour R9600pro Bravo @ 480/340
128+256 PC2100 DDR
Maxtor 20gb 7200rpm 2mb+WD 40gb 5400rpm 2mb
Creative SB Live! 5.1 Digital

 

[hinter2]

I agree with GeneticWeapon in that your processor should be fine for a while.

On which card to take - if you got the money go for a high-end one (ati 9800 pro or higher / nVidia 5900 or higher)

Regarding the overclocking question with the ati 9800 pro:
overclocked ati´s work if the cooling is good. Unfortunatly most ati cards got low-end cooling solutions. (check the forum for hints on how to improove cooling on ati cards)

Personally i would go for the nVidia cards. As you can see in the benchmark tests they are slightly slower than the comparable Ati cards - however overall quality (cooling is just one example) is mostly better on the nVidia cards.

 

[LtBlue14]

9800 >> 9600pro/xt, get that if you can afford it
or a 5900, though somehow the idea of buying an NV3x card still makes me shudder

----------------------------------------------
this signature area is too dern short, no space to put your system specs

 

[GeneticWeapon]

Unfortunatly most ati cards got low-end cooling solutions

Huh?...ATi cards do not need leaf blowers to cool their cards, they dont run as hot as nVidia's. My 9800 has the stock cooler on it, and overclocks nearly 100Mhz over it's core defaults. I'm not sure why your oppinion is what it is, but I totally disagree with you.

<b>My PC</b>
<A HREF="http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-GensPC.jpg" target="_new">http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-GensPC.jpg</A>
<A HREF="http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-pc lightup.jpg" target="_new">http://server5.uploadit.org/files2/100104-pc lightup.jpg</A>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yeah;

FX5900SE = FX5900XT = FX5900LX = FX5900EPV = a whole bunch of other letter combination.

Confusing, but I guess people have gotten used to it with the GF2/4MX vs Ti and the Radeon numbering scheme and 128/256bit SE.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

however overall quality (cooling is just one example) is mostly better on the nVidia cards.

Not true. It all depends on who you're comparing. Compare and ASUS or Hercules to anything in the nV stable. And likewise compare the Gainward and ASUS cards to anything in the ATI stable.

BOTH companies have their cheapo builders like Powercolor and GeXcube for ATI, and XFX and Palit (according to many here) for nV.

I can't say that any one 'line' of cards has consistently better build quality, it matters more about their OEM-partners.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[hinter2]

GeneticWeapon said:
"Huh?...ATi cards do not need leaf blowers to cool their cards, they dont run as hot as nVidia's. My 9800 has the stock cooler on it, and overclocks nearly 100Mhz over it's core defaults. I'm not sure why your oppinion is what it is, but I totally disagree with you."

I am sure your Card is the best in the Universe GeneticWeapon!

The reason I mention low-end cooling on Ati is because I have a 9800 pro in one of my PCs which has the standard small cooling unit on it. It does run very hot! In fact extensive 3d app usage will have the machine crash due to overheating of the ati 9800 pro after about 2 hours.

TheGreatGrapeApe comment is true, some card manufacturers mount better cooling onto the cards then others.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by hinter2 on 01/11/04 08:09 PM.</EM></FONT></P>