New Mid Level Card suggestions Plz

[Iron_Chef]

Whated to get some opinions on what would be the Best for the $ given the list of things below
- Looking to spend around $140 to $185 (maybe $200
- Dual Monitor Performance / Support (Vga x2 now but would like to go to dvi & vga or dvi x2)
- For use in new p4 3ghz system
- Gaming every once in a while (when I do I play BF 1942 & Vietnam, Rise of Nations and other RTS games)
- Burn DVDs and edit video
- Rip video and audio
- Aways running multi apps across dual monitors
Anyway thats about it

I have been using nV cards for a long time however I do use a AIW in another computer. So I am open to both
My first thought was 128mb, 8x Apg, dx9 in either a nV FX5700 or an ATI 9600 (pro?)
also if it is worth it I might try to scare up a few more bucks for either a nV 5900 or an ATI 9600XT or 9800 pro

Also for dual monitor is it worth getting another PCI card instead of running both off one card?

lets hear your 2 cents

Cheers

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Iron_Chef on 04/27/04 07:41 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

If you can spend $200, then get Radeon 9800 Pro

------------
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[rx7000]

http://www.accupc.com/itemDetail.jsp?pid=vatir9800p&refer=PriceGrabber

229 9800 Pro 128



Asus p4c800 Deluxe,1 Gig Mushkin PC3200 400 Mhz(2-2-2 cas),Pentium 4 3.0 512k 800Fsb HT, Thermaltake Xaser III, Thermaltake Spark 7+,WD 80 Gig 7200,GeForce 4 MX440 (PCI),Nec Multi-Sync LCD 1830

 

[confoundicator]

If I were you I would wait until a week or two after the new graphics cards come out and pick up a Radeon 9800 Pro, like the folks above said. I am doing exactly that myself. I expect to have to wait a couple of months, but I'm a patient man and the 9800 Pro should be a closer-to-high-end card with a mid-range price by then.

Or I could be wrong.

He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it, hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart. -C.S. Lewis

 

[rx7000]

I was so impressed with the 9800 Pro that I almost bought one as a temp card until the 6800 comes out, Id go with the radeon 9800 pro, the shading quality that is the fx's downfall is a big bonus.

Asus p4c800 Deluxe,1 Gig Mushkin PC3200 400 Mhz(222),Pentium 4 3.0 512k 800Fsb HT, Thermaltake Xaser III, Thermaltake Spark 7+,WD 80 Gig 7200,GeForce 4 MX440,Nec Multi-Sync LCD 1830,EG465P-VE

 

[daddywags214]

Yeah, go 9800 Pro if you can afford it, yo. Or Non-pro to save some dough, fo' sho'.

AHHH <b>MOTHERLAND!!!!!</b>

 

[pauldh]

When the new midrange cards come out, I bet it will be hard to find a R9800pro. Buy soon if you think $200 is your max price for a card, because supply will dry up during the Summer. I bet maybe $200+ powercolors may be about all you'll find come July, the good ones will be gone or go up in price.

ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[pauldh]

Not to sound one sided, but in your price range $140-$200, all the best deals will be with ATI. A cheap FX5900XT is an option if it is priced like a R9600XT. But I'd take a R9700pro or R9800 anyday over one of those. So find the best deal you can in your range. Agreed, if you can do $200, get a 9800 pro for sure.

R9800pro $200
R9800
R9700Pro
R9600XT
R9600Pro $110 cheap brand, $130 for a Saphire/Gigabyte

Do not buy a EZ 9600Pro clocked 400/400. Very slow.

ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[mrface]

just reiterating really.

get 9800p if you can afford about $230.

if not get a 9800, you wont be let down.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>

 

[HardWareBoss]

My two frames worth 9800Pro.

 

[mrface]

you owe me a frame you took up three.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

You can find the R9800 for under $200. Watch for brands, but sometimes even a $173 Powercolor R9800 from NewEgg might be better than settling (despite my dislike of Powercrapper). I'd say you'd be happy with a reasonably priced Radeon 9600Pro, but that the gaming side would get a great boost from the power of the R9800series (avoid SE at all costs [sorry wusy, not everyone should mod]). BattleField is the game that makes me think you may feel a little weak with an R9600Pro by the end of the year. If you were playing last generations games then maybe I'd say you don't need the R9800, but if you want to stay current for the year to come, better safe than sorry IMO.

All the things you listed would do ok on a Radeon 9200 or an FX5200, everything except gaming. Ripping videos (DVD shrink anyone? ), and even editing and burning them would not see much perfromance boost from more powerful card. The level of GPU useage in Premiere is even up for debate (but you would want to use at least an R9600Pro if you are thinking about that aspect).

You won't need a second card for dual monitor with any of the modern cards, they should handle it without issue, and both card makers do an ok job with dual monitor support. If you are serious a 3rd party app is the way to go, but the bundled apps should be fine for the most part.

If you are looking for 2 DVI, there are a few nV (XFX and BFG are two makers I know of, and with ATI the mfr HIS makes cards with dual DVI. Both are not common nor cheap though, so unless you have an absolute need for dual DVI I'd stick with a mix.

And that's my 2 <b>frames</b> worth.


- 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

 

[HardWareBoss]

Ok so know I'll take more.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Hey stop using my saying! Damn you stole my little inside joke! :tongue:


- 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

 

[Iron_Chef]

Thanks for all the replys and quick too
Well I think it is easy to see the overall reply is the 9800pro
So time to scare up a few more $$$
thanks all

Cheers