Ideal video card for HL2?

bobbydigital

bobbydigital

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I have around 200 bucks to spend, and I was speculating as to what video card I should get. I've been told that the 9800 Pro is a good buy. What about the XT versions? Are there substantial differences between the XT's?

Enlighten me, please. :)
 
The difference between a 9800 Pro and 9800 XT is roughly 10% performance difference. Nothing substantial at all. At $200, the 9800 Pro is a smoking deal.
 
well HL2 was origonally designed I think around the 9600, so I would say 9800pro and above is a safe bet... I have a 9800pro atm, and it kicks ass lol
 
Thanks, guys. I see a 9800 XT 256MB for $184 on pricewatch.com, and a 9800 Pro 256MB for $198. That's where the prices I was considering came from.
 
bobbydigital said:
Thanks, guys. I see a 9800 XT 256MB for $184 on pricewatch.com, and a 9800 Pro 256MB for $198. That's where the prices I was considering came from.
Click to expand...

Be careful. those could be the ones with 128-bit memory. Make sure you get the 256-bit memory. I'm not refferring to the amount of memory. But the type.
 
antimatter said:
Be careful. those could be the ones with 128-bit memory. Make sure you get the 256-bit memory. I'm not refferring to the amount of memory. But the type.
Click to expand...

I'll take note of that.

ATI RADEON 9800 Chipset 128-bit Model 256MB DDR-2 DDR

This is the 128-bit model with 256MB, and this is what most of you recommend?
 
bobbydigital said:
I'll take note of that.

ATI RADEON 9800 Chipset 128-bit Model 256MB DDR-2 DDR

This is the 128-bit model with 256MB, and this is what most of you recommend?
Click to expand...

dont get the 128bit find a 256bit
 
9800 Pro will be able to play it in full detail. So it's a safe and relatively cheap bet.
 
I just ordered yesterday a 9800 Pro, 256MB, 256-bit, got it from Newegg :D
 
I'm kind of sketchy about ordering computer parts online. Maybe I should check out the prices at Fry's Electronics.
 
Should I get an 9800 or 9600 if I'm gonna be playing it with less then 1600x1200?
 
Go for the 9800 Pro. That card will last you for future games better than the 9600.

At about $200, the 9800 Pro is an absolutely wonderful price/performance ratio card!
 
I guess I'm going to aim for getting the 256bit with 256MB RAM 9800 Pro. That will run HL2 relatively smooth, right? I mean without the other factors such as CPU speed, and RAM. (I'll definitely have a gig or more by the time HL2 is out)
 
bobbydigital said:
Thanks, guys. I see a 9800 XT 256MB for $184 on pricewatch.com, and a 9800 Pro 256MB for $198. That's where the prices I was considering came from.
Click to expand...
No. The XT cannot be that price. Something is amiss.
 
Meh, I would just buy a Radeon 9700 pro off ebay....just about as good as a 9800, and for about $140 it's one of the best cards to buy (if on low budget)
 
Which ever card you buy, get one that is 256Bit. The memory (128MB or 256MB) does not matter compared to the memory bus width (256Bit).
Normally 9800XT's are above $250. Something might be wrong with the card if it is that low. Post a link.

I would look on newegg for the 9800 Pro 128MB 256Bit from ATI, Sapphire or MSI. They run around $200.
Generally the same card will run 250$ in retail stores like Compusa, Best Buy and Frys.
 
bobbydigital said:
How much of a performance difference would I see between 128MB and 256MB?
Click to expand...

Today's games: 0 fps difference
Tommorow games: ???, currently the only way to utilize 256 MB cards is to run a game at high resolutions with AA. Too hard to predict future video games.
 
Asus said:
I would look on newegg for the 9800 Pro 128MB 256Bit from ATI, Sapphire or MSI. They run around $200.
Generally the same card will run 250$ in retail stores like Compusa, Best Buy and Frys.
Click to expand...

Just got my new 9800Pro, as in 1/2 hour ago at Best Buy. They had it for $199.99, which is lower than the ATI branded one on Newegg, plus I don't have to pay for shipping. Been holding off on installing it because I just want to savor the box for awhile. Been using a 9600SE, which I got solely for the HL2 coupon. It served me well enough, CS:S on 1080 with Med settings runs smooth, but it chokes on Doom3 and will not render HL2 in all it's glory in 3 weeks time.

So, bottom line - Best Buy $200 for a kickass card. :thumbs:
 
So it would pretty much be pointless to pay more for that extra 128MB? At least at this point in time?
 
That was a smart move by Best Buy, putting a card like that at that price right before HL2 is released.... man... I bet whoever had that idea is getting a big fat raise.
 
PvtRyan said:
9800 Pro will be able to play it in full detail. So it's a safe and relatively cheap bet.
Click to expand...

I only have a 1.6 AMD Athlon. Will it still run relatively smooth with a 9800 Pro?
 
Just to give you an update: I've installed te 9800Pro, latest drivers and whatnot, fired up Steam and ran the stress test. With my 9600SE i got 39 fps on Med settings at 1080. With the 9800Pro I got 98 fps on the same settings. I then switched it to High with 2x AA and AFF at 1152 and I got 69 fps. Holy crap! It's everything I've wanted.

Now to be honest, the 9600SE was doing an adequate job with CS:S. The framerate was fine and really, I can't tell much of a difference between the Med and High settings. But I will be prepared to run HL2 at high settings and rest easy. So, bottom line - if you can't afford the 9800Pro, the 9600 series is probably going to be alright for you for the time being. If you can afford it - get it.
 
That's cool, Gossoon. What are you other specs? CPU speed and RAM, specifically.
 
Is that price at BestBuy a sale or did they drop the everyday price? Probably a week-long sale but still good timing. ;)
 
what about the x700 i heard thats better then the 9800 pro, and doesnt it only have 128 bit memory interface? and what about the 6600 gt
 
Ok. A few things. First, I'm pretty sure the x700 is PCI Express only for the time being. I think they'll get around to making an AGP version, but why they didn't do that first I don't know. Second, the Best Buy price seems relatively permanent, at least in my area. I saw it at this price at least 2-3 weeks ago. It was marked $250, but with an instant rebate. So the register price was $200. Third, for anyone that wanted to get an idea of my performance relative to my specs:
Shuttle AN35N Ultra mobo
AMD 2800+
512 3200 RAM
Nothing overclocked.

So I definitely don't have any sort of high-end system. Mid-range I'd say.
 
I got a 9800Pro a few weeks ago and then it broke so I sent it off to ATI for repair/replacement can't wait till it comes back stupid geforce 2 MX400 can't play anything.
 
Gossoon said:
Just to give you an update: I've installed te 9800Pro, latest drivers and whatnot, fired up Steam and ran the stress test. With my 9600SE i got 39 fps on Med settings at 1080. With the 9800Pro I got 98 fps on the same settings. I then switched it to High with 2x AA and AFF at 1152 and I got 69 fps. Holy crap! It's everything I've wanted.

Now to be honest, the 9600SE was doing an adequate job with CS:S. The framerate was fine and really, I can't tell much of a difference between the Med and High settings. But I will be prepared to run HL2 at high settings and rest easy. So, bottom line - if you can't afford the 9800Pro, the 9600 series is probably going to be alright for you for the time being. If you can afford it - get it.
Click to expand...


Did you get to see the glass panels, the water ones and the water Cs dude ?
 
i just ordered a 9800 pro 128mb video card...im good to go :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
 
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