Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: dracon on November 28, 2003, 09:21:54 AM

Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: dracon on November 28, 2003, 09:21:54 AM
Hiyas!

Here's my current system:
ABIT TH7-II MoBo
1.8 Ghz P-4 Intel
512M RDRAM
TB Santa Cruz
Gainward GeForce3 Power Pak Golden Sampler 64M
XP-Pro, SP-1, DX 9b

My system is running excellent!  No issues.  For Christmas I am considering a Video Card upgrade.  I will be building a totally NEW computer next Christmas.

My Goal:  Buy an upgraded video card to improve performance until Next year when I build new.  Use the GF3 I have to update my Sons computer.  This upgrade card will NOT be going into next years new computer!

Thanks for the info.  Suggestions on card and brand are appreciated!
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: bloom25 on November 28, 2003, 10:53:32 AM
It depends on how much you want to spend.

For under $200 you can get an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro or XT.

For around $250 you can get an ATI Radeon 9800 (standard).
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: zmeg on November 28, 2003, 10:58:45 AM
G4 TI4200 128m 8X agp  Its fast, cheap, reliable and no isues with old drivers. It will easily handle anything a 1.8 P4 can dish out.
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: dracon on November 28, 2003, 11:21:17 AM
Considering......I would probably like to stay under 200.00.  I live in an area where I just can't run to the store and see Vid Cards installed in like machines.

Comments/Q's:

NV - Has always seemed to do a good job for me. But up to the GF3 Ultra, AA and AF really can't be used without a serious fps hit.  I understand these work great in the ATI 9500 and up.

I can buy a GF-5600 Ulta for 165.00 and the Ti-4200 for 143.00.  Is the G4 Ti-4200 still a better Bang for the Buck?

ATI-9600 Pro sells for 220.00.  I have read several comments that claim that if you're not going to get an ATI-9800 Pro, then stay with the NV!

There is NO intent to start any type of Vid Card War here.  Just trying to figure what Christmas present to buy.  I wish I could find sdomeone that has had both the ATI and The NV on the same machine!

Txs ALL!!!  U are appreciated
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: bloom25 on November 28, 2003, 11:38:34 AM
I've used/installed all 4 and have personally had both a Ti 4200 and Radeon 9800 in my own system.  (I upgraded from the Ti 4200 to the Radeon 9800.)  There's nothing wrong with any of them.

The GeForce Ti 4200 is an excellent card, but doesn't support DX9 features.  In Direct X 8.1 games it's just as fast as the FX5600 (maybe faster).  The FX5600 has been replaced with the FX5700, which appears to be a significantly faster card.  Both the FX5600 and FX5700 are DX9 capable cards, as are the Radeon 9600 and 9800.

I'd say the choice depends on the length of time you plan on keeping the card and how much of a performance improvement you want to see over the GF3.  You won't see a lot going to any of these $200 cards unless you plan on turning on anisotropic filtering and/or antialiasing with a P4 1.8.
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: BB Gun on November 28, 2003, 04:42:45 PM
Dracon, wherever you're getting that 9600 pro for $220.00 is charging you too much.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-276  for ATI branded one - $173.00

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-301 for an OEM styled one - $149.00

note that I am running a Sapphire Radeon9500Pro in my rig, and have had no issues at all.

BB
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: dracon on November 28, 2003, 05:44:13 PM
WOW!!  BBGun! Howdy,

Good to see you!  Have you left WBs or are you flying both?

This is too funny!  Here's were I found it:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=48&manufactory=1126&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

I just didn't look down far enough!  Prices are normally from low to high!  I quit scanning at the 300+ dollar mark.  Didn't notice the 9600 I was looking at was the ALL-in-Wonder.  Thanks for setting me straight!

How abou the 9600 Pro XT?

Sir I hope you and your's have the best of Holidays!

Thanks for all other replies!  Need to get back up to speed and make a decision.

Dracon, WBs 31st FG - Retired
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: bizket on November 28, 2003, 05:54:57 PM
I'm going through the same thing as dracon right now. I need a performance boost but I dont want to build a new machine until next year.

Right now i'm running a 1 Gig Tbird, Asus A7V MoBo, 32 MB GeForce 2mx, 384MB PC133, Soundblaster Live Value and Windows 2000 Pro SP3 direct x 9.1. I know the system is old but I still get very good performance out of it. AH II is playable but a little choppy about 20 to  25 FPS and IL2 Fb is about the same.

Now if I go and drop 150 to 200 bucks on a new Radeon 9600 or 9800 is my performance boost going to worth the money??? Or will my Model T of a processor just hold me back to much??? If you think it wont be to big of a help for my framerate I'll just save my money.
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: bizket on November 28, 2003, 06:05:11 PM
Quote
Originally posted by dracon
WOW!!  BBGun! Howdy,

Good to see you!  Have you left WBs or are you flying both?



BBgun isnt flying AH. He just comes over here to spew his hateful right wing political views and to give the occasional advice on a video card purchase. Altough his recommendations are a bit skewed because of his hateful extreme right wing political views

Love ya bb:D
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: Roscoroo on November 28, 2003, 10:38:09 PM
the new applebred durons are out 1.8ghz 266 fbs ...  $50.us,
it oc's to 2.0 really easy ..  its L2 cache is small though  64kb

or ya can go 2400+ tbred for $90  and run at 2.0-2.1 ghz
Title: Need input on New Video Card - Plz
Post by: B17Skull12 on November 29, 2003, 02:23:31 AM
dracon if you want your money's worth id get the ATI radeon 9800 XT. it is 256MB if im not mistake but there is a price it cost about $500