GeforceFX5900 vs.Radeon9800PRO

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JY24

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I'm currently in the process of ordering parts for a new machine and i'm having trouble deciding which video card to purchase with so many options out there.

Gaming is the main thing I plan to use the machine for. I've searched for a video card that I hope will last a solid 2yrs and still be able to play the latest games semi decently. Right now I think I've narrowed it down to these two cards.

GeForce FX 5900 128MB ($190)
Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB ($170)

The reason i'm stumped is because going by the hardware reviews on the hardocp site and others, some of them show the 9800 to easily outdistance the 5900 in FPS, while others show completely the opposite. (Doom3 namely).. which i've read is because the radeon cards have issues with opengl.
With the possibility that a lot of newer games will come out with a run-off of the Doom3 engine, i'm not sure which would be the better choice.

Which would you recommend as the better card and the best choice? (Or an alternate video card even if there is a better one in the < $200 range)
 
This probably isn't an issue for you, but if you're planning on running Linux at all, you'll want the Nvidia card.
 
Id take the radeon hands down, the FX range of cards have a serious issue with directx 9

The 9800pro will own the 5900 no questions asked
 
JY24 said:
I'm currently in the process of ordering parts for a new machine and i'm having trouble deciding which video card to purchase with so many options out there.

Gaming is the main thing I plan to use the machine for. I've searched for a video card that I hope will last a solid 2yrs and still be able to play the latest games semi decently. Right now I think I've narrowed it down to these two cards.

GeForce FX 5900 128MB ($190)
Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB ($170)

The reason i'm stumped is because going by the hardware reviews on the hardocp site and others, some of them show the 9800 to easily outdistance the 5900 in FPS, while others show completely the opposite. (Doom3 namely).. which i've read is because the radeon cards have issues with opengl.
With the possibility that a lot of newer games will come out with a run-off of the Doom3 engine, i'm not sure which would be the better choice.

Which would you recommend as the better card and the best choice? (Or an alternate video card even if there is a better one in the < $200 range)
Click to expand...


Whats your timeline for the purchase?
 
But I think where Rancor is heading with his Timeline question is that if you can wait till the AGP version of the GF6600 comes out - it'll fit what you need perfectly.
 
6600 or 6800nu for 250. Better performance than both those cards put together...
 
yeh, but those AGP versions won't be out for a while. The nv43 is pci-e from the core, so I think it might be another 2 months after the release of the pci-e cards still we see the other ones. Anyways, I wouldn't wait. What's the point of waiting for something to play games better if you can't play games at all?

Anyways, the Radeon 9800 pro owns the fx series, I'd choose it over the 5950 even if they were the same price. But what seems wierd is your $170 price you listed for the 9800pro. It's imperitive that you get a 9800pro with the 256bit memory interface, not the 9800proEZ with the 128bit memory interface. And are you sure the 5900 outpreforms the 9800 in DooM III? Because, from what I've seen, the 9800XT outpreforms the 5950.......
 
Also, if you're interesting in overclocking and modding, some 9800pro's can be modded to XT's and such.

That possibility is always there.
 
The 5900 is faster in OGL games, while the 9800pro is faster in DX9 games, as you've seen in different reviews. So along those lines, it's a 50/50 split of what is better.

The advantage however, goes to nVidia for better drivers and better compatibility with games and game patches.

So I say go with the 5900.
 
I am assuming that the 9800 Pro you have listed there for $170 also has the 128bit memory. If you want a "real" 9800 Pro it has 256bit memory.
 
The 128bit 9800pro is pathetically slow. Think almost as slow as 9600XT.

Get a 5900XT. Save yourself some cash. Does better in Doom 3 than ATi cards (nv35) but in other situations ATi almost always takes the top. However, the difference isn't that great.

Used is good too. Check out FS/T. 5900XT for ~$150 or 9800Pro for around the same price.

9800Pro is a better card, but it's up to you to decide if it's worth the difference. I got myself 5900XT just cos I'm playing with Linux.
 
WindowsXP is the only OS I plan to use it for.

Is there that big of a difference on both cards upgrading from 128MB to 256MB memory?
Reason I only mentioned the 128MB models for each card was due to the price tag I saw associated with the 256MB ones.

Right now just doing a quick look, the 256MB of the FX5900 looks to be in the $400 price range, while 256MB of the 9800PRO is $250 according to pricewatch.

My timeline for building the machine is soonish. For the video card I only intended to spend about $150 originally so even the 128MB cards are kind of stretching the wallet.

Thanks for the advice so far.
 
No, the 128MB vs 256MB difference isn't too great. But don't confuse it with 128 Bit vs 256 Bit. 128 Bit is trash.
 
You can get a real 9800 pro at frys for 180%, or hunt around online for about the same.
OGL games= 5900 I guess, even tho they're both stupidly fast in games, and the difference likely won't make you able to play with either higher details or anti aliasing modes.
 
I'd go into the next catagory of cards and pony up an extra $60 for a 6800 128 MB. They overclock fairly well too. I've seen used 6800's for about $200, new ones start at about $260.

The 9800 Pro has earned a spot in the Video Card Hall of Fame but it's probably not a card that most people would be happy with in 2007 (about two years from now).

But if you must choose between the two you mentioned, the 9800 Pro appears to be a better choice than the 5900.
 
Badger_sly said:
The 5900 is faster in OGL games, while the 9800pro is faster in DX9 games, as you've seen in different reviews. So along those lines, it's a 50/50 split of what is better.

The advantage however, goes to nVidia for better drivers and better compatibility with games and game patches.

So I say go with the 5900.
Click to expand...

Not true; http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/doom3_pt3/page3.asp As well as others.

The 9800 Pro is overall a better card than the 5900. Especially when you factor in how much the 5900 slows down once you enable AA/AF, and how poor the AA looks compared to the 9800.

Factor in that the 9800 Pro seems to run HL2/CS:S MUCH better (especially with DX9 enabled) than the 5900.

Better compatibility with games, and game patches? Id say they are about even. Having one of each, I can say that. Can you?

If all you can afford is $170'ish, get the 9800 Pro. If you can go upwards of $250-$300, you really have to look at the 6600/6800 cards.
 
i was happy when i bought my FX5200 and its only 64-bit runs everything...now ur making me whimper lol... only $100 AU which is bout $50 US so meh

but imo dude get the 9800pro...your movies n shit will look better also
 
I would say the 9800Pro, as said make sure you get the 256bit version, the difference between the 128MB and 256MB version of the 9800pro is a few % really not woth the money.

But if you can wait I would get the 6600, or even the 6800, especially if u plan on future proofing, because tbh in the next few months the 9800pro is gonna show its age in the newer games, although I suppose it depends on what games it is you play, give examples and we can tell you from that. ;)
 
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