can't decide on what video card

[jacks_spleen]

alright guys I've got around $200 to spend on a video card, which one shall I get?

 

[SFLUFAN]

For that money, you can't go wrong with a 9800 Pro.

However, if you can find a 9800XT for that price (I know there are some around), then go for that one!

 

[dream431ca]

9800XT is a small bit better than 9800Pro...it also depends on your CPU RAM and Motherboard.

 

[Narcolepsy]

A 9800xt will not be $200 dollars. Definitely get the 9800 Pro. I upgraded from a GeForce 3 and the difference is phenomenal. I couldn't be happier!

 

[Madhotch]

fx5200 PCI.....nuff said, best card ever..... :smoking: this pot is good

 

[jacks_spleen]

dumb question...128 or 256?

Is the 256 going to be that much better?

 

[Biscuit]

Get a 9600 XT, then give me the rest so I can upgrade my 9200!

Nah, Anything over a 9200 will be fine, I run CSS at 1024x768, with high settings and get a 40-50 FPS average with 1.3ghz CPU and 512MB RAM, so just get the best you can with the money. Go with ATI for sure though.

 

[SFLUFAN]

The 9800 Pro is the best price/performance ratio card out there right now.

 

[SFLUFAN]

Actually the 128mb 9800 Pro is better because it has 256-bit memory than the 256mb version that had 128-bit memory.

Someone please make sure I have that right.

 

[DarkSonic]

No...you're wrong. SOME 9800pros have 128-bit memory, but you should stay away from those. Get the 9800pro, it's the best for the money you can spend.

 

[DigitalAssassin]

Is the 256 going to be that much better?

In games like Doom 3, the answer is yes: With large textures always being swapped and processed in your GPU, the extra 128mbs helps a bundle. For almost any older game the answer is no, because there isn't that much data being used (at one time).

 

[Ti133700N]

In games like Doom 3, the answer is yes: With large textures always being swapped and processed in your GPU, the extra 128mbs helps a bundle. For almost any older game the answer is no, because there isn't that much data being used (at one time).

Yep, I 100% agree. With HL2 and Stalker comming, 256MBs is a good choice.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Indeed 256mb will mean your card will have some advantage in upcoming games (better quality textures can be loaded and you have less of a "jump" when entering new rooms like in Doom3 where it has to load all new textures and such)

If you can, go for a 9800 pro, then you can soft mod it (download and install new bios onto the video card) to make it into a 9800XT which is sweet. However that will void your warranty, but the performance increase will be awesome

Oh and if you have the money try to go for a 6800 card. Why? Well this will take some explaining.

For all of nVidia's 6800 cards, they simply lock out certain things via bios. Now if you download rivatuner, you can then simply unlock them. Like I'm getting a 6800 GTO which is in between a regular and GT 6800 (it is Dell's OEM version). Now it has only 12 pixel pipelines, I can easily unlock that to get the full 16 pixel pipelines and can also up the clock speeds so that it will equal having a 6800 ULTRA. Plus I'm getting the 256 mb version which is all the sweeter! With ATI cards, they don't particularly enjoy people doing that (nvidia really doesn't either, but they don't take such extreme cautions like ATI). For ATI they actually modify the hardware and put blocks on the hardware, like the x800 regular only has like 8 or 12 pixel pipelines. Even with rivatuner you couldn't unlock the others. You could unlock them via making modifications to the physical chip but that is just way too dangerous in my book. The 6800 also has more potential for the future. Takes advantage of Pixel Shader 3.0 which not even the x800 series does. Now I know you are all thinking that with PS3.0 you get even more uber sweet graphics, all it is, is optimizations so you get better FPS while viewing those graphical goodies. But still, you get more FPS which is nice. And the 6800 also has support for future DX9 versions, which ATI really didn't put into their cards....


I don't think you have enough money for a 6800 though, and the 9800 series easily beats out the FX series by far!

 

[Aceallways]

Depending on what you have now, maybe wait till you have $400 and a X800 Pro is that price, just an idea.

 

[electronic squid]

get yourself a standard 6800, they have more pipelines and power than the 9800pro, they are quality mid range video cards that can be OC'ed.

 

[YamatoTwinkie]

6600gt or x700pro are both around $200. Otherwise, get a 9800pro

 

[Acert93]

The AGP 6600GT is "supposedly" coming out soon. That would not be bad.

The 9800Pro is a NICE card. Just make sure you get the 256bit memory (do not confuse bits with MBs; bits = memory interface, MBs is side) The Memory should be 256bit @ 340Mhz (some will list as 680MHz because it is DDR2) and the core should be 380MHz. DO not get the Powercolor EZ and be careful with the Saphire. If in doubt, post here and someone here can verify.

Btw, I have seen Radeon 9700 Pros for the $100 range on Ebay.

And finally, my friend got a BFG OC 6800 for $250 at Outpost a while back. You may want to check around for a standard 6800.... they are a solid card for the price.

 

[DigitalAssassin]

If you can, go for a 9800 pro, then you can soft mod it (download and install new bios onto the video card) to make it into a 9800XT which is sweet. However that will void your warranty, but the performance increase will be awesome

Just a warning: Soft modding increases the heat of the card. Overclocking isn't recommended unless you've got excellent cooling for both the card and the case. The 9800 Pro is built to run at stock speeds, generally tampering with it is a bad idea.

(I say this because I've heard too many horror stories of kids thinking their Radeon 9000 can run at 9700 speeds, and ending up with smoke coming out of their case, destroying their card, motherboard, CPU, etc).

~

That being said, the 9800 Pro is a great card. Someone mentioned the 9700 -- also a great card, for half the price. It's about the same as the 9600, but it's overlooked more.

 

[CloSe2InSaNitY]

i should safe up some more money because a 9800pro/xt will run hl2 not fine but efficient enough. safe some money for a 6800gt.

I've been thinking about a x800xt or 6800ultra.
my conclusion. Ati > NV.. yes at hl2 that is.
but there are alot of other games. you need to see this trough an overall perpective and not the hl2 perspective wich many people still do.

since the 6800gt can achieve ultra speeds with some overclocking. I'd say go for the 6800gt or you might want to safe for a ultra but when you overclock that card you wont get much better performace just abit.

http://www.pricewatch.com/h/prc.aspx?i=37&a=14852&f=1
320 dollars for a 6800gt. i recommend a 12/16mm fan! or go for liquid cooling wich i am buying after i've got my 6800gt/ultra or even a 512ram card. they arent far away i can nearly smell them.

 

[jet jaguar]

The next gen cards(X800 and 6800 cards) are atleast 2x as fast as the best of the previous generation of cards(9800XT). If you can hold out until you have $380-$400(I paid $380 for my BFG 6800GT) then do it. You'll have a card that should last you well into 2006.

 

[DarkGhost86]

I felt GF 6800 video Card is good choice. Also it is expensive but it can much less waste electricity than ATi x800 PRO or 9800XT! That good idea for me because it can save up 20% from electricity bill. SO i hold my saving money for GeForce 6800GT video card.

 

[pixartist]

i think ill by a new gforce this xmas...how much is a good one? 300-350 euros?