Oh, no! Yet Another video-card-thread...

[dying.soon]

Hello all,

I bought HL2 via steam about a week ago. Now I can't wait for the Great Final Unlock. While I'm waiting, I'm considering getting a new video card for my (old) PC.

What I currently have :

- XP Pro SP2
- Athlon XP 2800+ (2.09 Ghz)
- 512 mb of RAM
- Geforce 2 w/ 64mb of RAM (yeah, that's an old one :E )
- lots of HD
- AGP only (no PCIE)

CS:S runs pretty fine on this already (but in DX7 version).

So the question is... What Video Card Should I Get? (TM) (c) (R) ?

My budget would ideally be of about 380 to 440 USD (300 to 350 Euros). I've heard that ATI is better for HL2... Which is really what I want to run well, even if I'll probably be playing Doom3 as well as other games on this machine. The card has to be AGP. First I wanted to go for the GF6600, then thought maybe a 6800GT, or, wait, there is this X800Pro but it's damn expensive...

What are your comments / opinions / suggestions / flames?

Thanks

 

[Vigilante]

get a 6800 gt, $400 retail

 

[`unreal]

wekk the rest of ur system seems pretty up to spec sorta... i would definately recommend upgrading. i had no money for ages, and i upgraded from an old 1999 nVidia TNT2 M64 to a 2003 GeForce4 Ti4800 - the difference was incredible - so u should expect something like that too if you choose well

one of the best upgrades i ever made... obviously

 

[Fletch]

The GT is the card of choice at your price range.

 

[poseyjmac]

if i were in your position id get a 6800GT.

 

[dying.soon]

Well thanks for the answers... A 6800GT? What about a 6600GT if I'm short on money then? :stare: Or would the small economy ruin the whole upgrade and make it worthless?

 

[Malfunction]

Hmmm...well, in benchies it has seemed that the 6800 GT is a big step up from a 6600. If you want to be conservative, get the 6600, but if you could, it would make a difference going for the 6800 GT.


EDIT: http://www.adamant.com/itemInfo.asp...PrdAbr=VCPN-VCG6800GAP&DB=Products&menu=PARTS

 

[eish]

ATi is the preferred card for HL2, or at least that is what I've been hearing.
Basically it all comes down to what you are willing to spend, I'm very happy with my Radeon 9800 PRO atm, but if I had to trade up I would do for the x800 PRO or XT.

 

[poseyjmac]

ATi is the preferred card for HL2, or at least that is what I've been hearing.
Basically it all comes down to what you are willing to spend, I'm very happy with my Radeon 9800 PRO atm, but if I had to trade up I would do for the x800 PRO or XT.

you might want to look at real benchmarks from unbiased websites, instead of basing your buying decisions off ati/valve propaganda or what you hear. just some advice.

 

[eish]

you might want to look at real benchmarks from unbiased websites, instead of basing your buying decisions off ati/valve propaganda or what you hear. just some advice.

I chose to listen to what I hear because of the people I hear it from, usually have a damned good idea as to what they are talking about. And as far as benchmarks are concerned I am critical, but I've seen enough to have an opinion of my own, so please don't give me any advice.

 

[poseyjmac]

I chose to listen to what I hear because of the people I hear it from, usually have a damned good idea as to what they are talking about. And as far as benchmarks are concerned I am critical, but I've seen enough to have an opinion of my own, so please don't give me any advice.

well you should consider who you listen to, you obviously need the advice if you think ATI has leading performance in source engine currently...they don't.

 

[eish]

well you should consider who you listen to, you obviously need the advice if you think ATI has leading performance in source engine currently...they don't.

I never wrote that ATi had leading performance, I wrote that it was the preferred card, meaning people prefer ATi for playing CSS. Which runs on the source engine.
As far as benchmarks are concerned, some say they're even, some say ATI is better and some say Nvidia is better, I wouldn't really know untill I've tried both myself.

 

[poseyjmac]

preferred means nothing. because its subjective as to whether who prefers it and why they do. so it shouldn't have even been brought up.

some benchmarks list different results mostly because of different driver revisions. based on the newest drivers, nvidia is actually ahead. this may likely change when the catalyst 4.11's come out. but for now thats how it is.

 

[Warbie]

6800 gt, or X800 pro vivo and try and flash it to 16 pipes

 

[dying.soon]

I'd love a X800 Pro... Actually, I'd love an All-In-Wonder X800 Pro. My first 3d card was a 3dfx, then I had a Voodoo2, then an Ati, then a Geforce, and now I'd like to go back to Ati. I hope prices will lower a bit until I buy the card.

 

[oldfaq]

Asus Radeon A9800XT 256mb
great card
oldfaq

 

[Subatomic]

Definatly the 6800GT.

 

[WaryWolf]

i'd agree, get the 6800gt. if you can't afford it, buy a 6800nu and see if you can mod it to 16 pipelines and 6 vertex units. mine did and i got a 1000 3dmark increase. i'm happy with it

 

[[Matt]]

just for your info the 6600GT is currently only available in PCI express format and not AGP!

 

[dying.soon]

Yeah, but well, by the time I'll be able to afford one of those cards, the AGP version *will* be out. :|

 

[Nid Banikeri]

My MSI 6800 GT runs great on cs source and I would recommend getting that...


...but whatever card you choose, seeing as you say your comp is old...check the cards desired specs...I had to buy a new Power supply when I got mine :angry:

 

[dying.soon]

Mmmmh, well, my PC is a cheap one, but actually it's not that old... The tower's a good (and silent!) Antec one, power supply shouldn't be a problem

 

[dying.soon]

Unlocking's imminent now... I may have to go the cheap way! So...

- ATI 9800 Pro (w/ 128mb)
- or GeForce 6600 AGP (w/ 256mb)

???

 

[Asus]

I'd recommend something along the lines of an X800XT (450 USD).
Linkage
Otherwise a 6800GT or X800pro would do nicely.

So far, the 6600GT is only PCIE and not AGP.

 

[dying.soon]

Should I buy a Radeon 9800 Pro tomorrow?

Mmmmh, yeah, yeah, I know, X800(Pro/XT) and 6800GT are both really good cards...

What I meant is, currently I cannot afford one of those (about 450 E or $). What I could buy is either a 6600 or a Radeon 9800 Pro... They're about 200 E (or $). And yeah, 6600 isn't out yet for AGP... And, and, and... Half-Life 2 unlocks tomorrow!!!

So... My only option would be the Radeon 9800 Pro (w/128mb)... But is the card even worth it? Or should I really, really wait and buy a 6800GT (or X800) in a few months...?

Come on guys, I need your advice! Should I buy the Radeon 9800 Pro tomorrow? Will HL2 run decent on my config + a 9800 Pro? (see rest of config in sig) Will I benefit of all of Source engine effects?

Basically, either I buy a 9800 Pro now and I'll update to 6800 later when it'll be in the same price range.

Or I keep that GeForce 2 a bit longer... And update to 6800 later when it's a bit cheaper.

My fate's in your hands. Thanks.

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