Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Budget video card
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arin   06-09-2005 at 10:44:44 PM

I've read a lot of the reviews on the website, but don't undesrstand much of it because of my lack of computer knowledge. I'm looking for a new video card that's around $70.
I plan on playing most Battlefield games, Rome: Total War and possibly other games. I've been looking at the
Gigabyte Radeon 9600 Pro / 128MB DDR / 8x AGP
and some type of the Geforce 6200 128/8x AGP, which I have both found around $70. Which would be best? Or are there others that would be better? I don't know if computer specs are needed, so I'll just post some:
AMD +3200(2.2Ghz)
512MB DDR SDRAM PC3200
AGP 8x
160GB

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mrface   06-09-2005 at 10:48:51 PM
- 0 +

i would go with the 9600pro.

"Like a scrotum, there it is in a nutshell."
<font color=red>Roll Tide!</font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Psychotic Sociopath.}=-</A>

Reply to mrface
scottchen   06-09-2005 at 11:57:46 PM
- 0 +

look at the 6200, if it has its heastink tilted at a 45 degree angle, then get that. If not look for a 9700.

Reply to scottchen
arin   06-10-2005 at 02:18:05 AM
- 0 +

I dont know what a heatsink is and the R9700 is out of my price range.

Reply to arin
scottchen   06-10-2005 at 02:39:20 AM
- 0 +

Ok then stick with the 9600pro. Many users has been able to mod their 6200-6600 using a software, but don't bother with it.

Reply to scottchen
mrface   06-10-2005 at 02:40:40 AM
- 0 +

heatsink is the metal thing right in the middle normally comes with a fan on it.

"Like a scrotum, there it is in a nutshell."
<font color=red>Roll Tide!</font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Psychotic Sociopath.}=-</A>

Reply to mrface
arin   06-10-2005 at 04:39:26 AM
- 0 +

Well, I'm planning on getting this 9600PRO then:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] &CatId=880
Does that have a good enough heatsink on it?

Reply to arin
pauldh   06-10-2005 at 04:55:51 AM
- 0 +

That seems to be a nice card. It is clocked 400 core/ 600 memory just like a 9600 pro should be clocked. Some 9600 pros have slower memory, only clocked at 400 MHz. Very Good price for a 400/600 9600 pro.

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=658042" target="_new">3DMark05</A> <A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3781954" target="_new">3DMark03</A>

Reply to pauldh
Robc1880   06-10-2005 at 06:00:01 AM
- 0 +

are you able to squeeze any more money for a video card? If you want to play Battlefield games and Rome with some good settings you will probably need something a little stronger.


EDIT: here is a 9800 pro if you can pay $50 more <A HREF="http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190675&AFFIL=pricewatch&NR=1" target="_new">http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190675&AFFIL=pricewatch&NR=1</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by robc1880 on 06/09/05 09:02 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

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scottchen   06-10-2005 at 06:07:54 AM
- 0 +

LoL he said he couldn't even afford a sub 100 dollars 9700.

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mrface   06-10-2005 at 06:10:02 AM
- 0 +

yeah i had a gigabyte 9600pro when they first came out, and it ran everything i needed(BF, CS, and other FPS)

"Like a scrotum, there it is in a nutshell."
<font color=red>Roll Tide!</font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Psychotic Sociopath.}=-</A>

Reply to mrface
arin   06-10-2005 at 11:40:30 AM
- 0 +

I don't really care much about the game looking good. I've always been playing battlefield with low settings because of the card that came with the pc.

Reply to arin
mrface   06-10-2005 at 02:24:27 PM
- 0 +

yeah thats what i was saying, you can run everything at "average" settings and get good frames per second.

"Like a scrotum, there it is in a nutshell."
<font color=red>Roll Tide!</font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Psychotic Sociopath.}=-</A>

Reply to mrface
arin   06-13-2005 at 02:18:35 AM
- 0 +

What DirectX does this card support? I read on the Tom's Hardware mainsite that cards only are compatible with the current directx out. I thought the Directx would be made to be compatible with all video cards. Would the Directx version of the R9600PRO limit gaming at all?

Reply to arin
Rick_Criswell   06-13-2005 at 02:36:42 AM
- 0 +

Direct X is backwards compatable. You can run DX9.0c with older DX7 or DX8 hardware. It will not show the newer features but it is compatable.

I aint signing nothing!!!

Reply to Rick_Criswell
mrface   06-13-2005 at 02:47:02 AM
- 0 +

yes exactly.

"Like a scrotum, there it is in a nutshell."
<font color=red>Roll Tide!</font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Psychotic Sociopath.}=-</A>

Reply to mrface
arin   06-13-2005 at 02:57:17 AM
- 0 +

ok good. Then the R9600 is what it is. Is the 'Gigabyte' manufacturer good?

Reply to arin
mrface   06-13-2005 at 03:02:36 AM
- 0 +

i have never had a problem with their graphics cards or motherboards for that matter, and would recommend them to anyone.

"Like a scrotum, there it is in a nutshell."
<font color=red>Roll Tide!</font color=red>
<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Psychotic Sociopath.}=-</A>

Reply to mrface
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