Author Topic: How are non-DX9 vid cards doing now in AH2? (Read 480 times)

Rasker · « **on:** June 15, 2004, 04:13:04 PM »

I understand that AH2 has gone fully to DX9 now. I also understand that most vid cards not in the top 3-4 tiers don't support dx9. Im interested in getting the most reasonably priced card that can run AH2 with my marginal AthlonXP 1600/Gigabyte mobo system, specifically the Geforce2 mx400. Does this card still work with AH2, if so, how are the fps running. How about the ati 7000 7500 9000? I dont want to plow any more money into this equipment combo before the inevitable near term replacement than I can help.

Rasker · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2004, 04:45:40 PM »

looks like this recent post more or less answered my question:

Quote

Originally posted by Pyro
You will need a new card to run AH2. Here's a link to pricewatch where you can look at prices on various cards.

http://www.pricewatch.com/menus/m37.htm

The absolute minimum card to get would be a GeForce2 MX400 with 32 MB. That is the card I currently have installed on my work machine and it will run AH2, but texture sizes have to be turned down. It would be the cheapest card to get, but it's not the best value.

Here are some prices (shipping included) for cheap cards to consider.

$26 - GeForce2 MX 400 w/32 MB - absolute minimum
$28 - Geforce2 MX 400 w/64 MB - 2 bucks more for double the memory is well worth even if you're going for the cheapest card possible.
$37 - GeForce4 MX 440 w/64 MB - Better performance for only $9 more.
$46 - Geforce4 MX 440 w/128MB
$54 - GeforceFX 5200 w/128 MB

You can find some benchmark tests for the above cards in these articles:

http://www20.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030120/index.html
http://www20.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html

Rasker · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2004, 05:23:02 PM »

hmm, with that limited price spread, might as well go with the FX5200 and get dx9 compatibility.

JB73 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2004, 05:56:32 PM »

$26 - GeForce2 MX 400 w/32 MB - absolute minimum

that card is over 2 years old.

DX9 not nearly that old.

my point is cards made before DX9 like my Ti4800 are DX9 compatible with the proper drivers. it's all about having the right driver installed. i guarentee you that the GF above comes with a 1.5 year old or older CDrom with drivers from even further back.

always get the latest drivers for your card, unless you see skuzzy post something saying contrary.

you should be fine then.

Ghosth · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2004, 10:37:14 PM »

I have the ati 9000 pro 128 mb in 2 machines. Both run ah2 fine.

Tower fps can be 25 to 55, ussually flight runs up in 60's unless its a huge furball, or massive smoke fest at field.

Runs the cat 4.5 drivers very nicely.

ebgb · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2004, 11:01:32 PM »

AIW 8500DV

45 frames constant with FSAA 2x

no problems at all.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2004, 02:12:07 AM »

1.3 ghz my old gamer .
512 ram
GF 2 mx 400 64mb (note this is the Abit siluro card it has more suds then the rest of the gf 2's )
win 98se, dx 9.0b , nvidia 56.64 drivers

20-60 fps it plays ah2 really nice .

my other old pc
1.4ghz oced to 1.6 ghz
256 ram
GF2 mx 400 64mb (a cheapy one)
same os drivers ect

15- 50 fps (it plays but its not as smooth as my old gammer is)

my other pc is running a ti4600 so ill leave that out of the equation

i would recommend something like a fx5200 or better card
and if your gonna go cheap at least try for a gf 4 mx 440 128mb

Jayclark · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2004, 10:43:35 PM »

Most cards will allow newer directx to be used with out any problems. But you won't see all the new features that come along with Direct x 9. When you use a card that dose not support all of Directx 9 fuctions. It will try to emulate the parts your hardware dosen't support. The software can emulate all but like 2 features. This is good in theory but it uses up ram and cpu to do this. If you have enough cpu and ram power really no problem. But if you have anything below 1.2 gig cpu and 128 megs of ram it will cause performance differences. There is something on the Microsoft site about it.

Rasker · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2004, 04:36:30 PM »

Thanks much to all who posted! gotta do some fast shopping before tomorrows switchover!

AWMac · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2004, 05:25:40 PM »

Just bought a vidcard. PNY NVIDIA GeFORCE FX 5200 ULTRA AGP
128 MB DDR-650 MHz. Has DirectX9.

Is this card good enought to play in AH2?

Is anyone else using this vidcard?

Rasker · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2004, 10:00:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Roscoroo

i would recommend something like a fx5200 or better card

the Ultra is the top of the line 5200 so you should do fine with that from what people say.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2004, 11:30:28 PM »

theres lots of guys running that card here , so you shouldnt have any problem getting ?'s ansered , setup, drivers ,ect .

sb1086 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2004, 05:04:25 PM »

some of us even know where to get the latest drivers for th FX card Roo

( stop posting messages and start making maps ) LOL