Best bang for this systems buck

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glafond

n00b
Joined
Jun 23, 2004
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I'm in the market for a new video card. I'm looking in the price range of 100 to 150$'s and my current system setup is as follows:

Asus A7v333
Athlon XP 1700 +
1 GB of PC2700 DDR
MSI GeForce3 Ti200

I may be upgradding my processor soon as well too, if you have and suggestions on a good proc for that board I would appreciate that info as well. Currently the board has an AGP 4X slot but I want a card that I will be able to grow with. I was looking at a PowerColor ATI Radeon 5550 card on newegg for about 100 bucks. let me know your suggestions. Thanks.
 
tranCendenZ said:
That's a 9800SE not a 9800, it is worse than the 5900XT, more in the league of the 9600.
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A 9800 is a 9800....whether SE, PRO or XT. It is not "worse" then a 5900XT. Not IMO. I'm taking into account his question also. Which was something bwtween $100 and 150.
 
Blackwind said:
A 9800 is a 9800....whether SE, PRO or XT. It is not "worse" then a 5900XT. Not IMO. I'm taking into account his question also. Which was something bwtween $100 and 150.
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Well, I'll provide this review (which shows the 9800SE as slower than the 9600xt) and the reader can make their own decision:
http://www.hwhell.com/articles/powercolor_radeon_9800se_review/

"If you're just looking for a card that gives you a lot for your money without having to work for it then the 9800SE probably won't be what you're looking for. The GeforceFX 5900XT performs a whole lot better right out of the box, and it's almost as cheap. The 9800SE has a standard bundle, standard cooling, at stock it has standard overclocking abilities, but performs below par."
 
Dyslexic said:
Look at the benchmarks from TechReport. They are very close. With 9600XT you get Half Life 2.

http://www.techreport.com/reviews/2003q4/radeon-9600xt/index.x?pg=5
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That is against a 5600 Ultra not a 5900XT, way different cards there. 5600 Ultra is 4x1 128-bit (nv31 core based on nv30), 5900XT is 4x2 256-bit (nv35 core - better shader performance than nv30 core).

See the above hardware hell review for a 5900XT/9600XT/9800SE comparison.
 
tranCendenZ said:
Well, I'll provide this review (which shows the 9800SE as slower than the 9600xt) and the reader can make their own decision:
http://www.hwhell.com/articles/powercolor_radeon_9800se_review/

"If you're just looking for a card that gives you a lot for your money without having to work for it then the 9800SE probably won't be what you're looking for. The GeforceFX 5900XT performs a whole lot better right out of the box, and it's almost as cheap. The 9800SE has a standard bundle, standard cooling, at stock it has standard overclocking abilities, but performs below par."
Click to expand...


:rolleyes:

Prior to confusing the original poster how about spelling out what exactly you are driving at? You have already stated that ...

tranCendenZ said:
Or if you can spend a bit more, $169 shipped for a 5900XT that is in the league of the ATI 9800, and is honestly a great deal and a huge upgrade for you (limited time sale):
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and

tranCendenZ said:
But why buy a 4x1 128-bit 9600xt for $157 when a 4x2 256-bit 5900xt is on blowout for $169 shipped? The 9600xt is nice but it cant compete with the 5900xt in most games, the 5900xt is more in the 9800 league.
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I agree...

A) they are in the same league
B) $169 shipped for a 5900XT is a good deal

Just like the 9800...the 5900 comes in various configs. Again, I'm addressing his question....between $100 and 150. If he can afford a little more then that ...it also opens up other options we can suggest....he has thus far not indicated such.
 
Blackwind said:
Just like the 9800...the 5900 comes in various configs. Again, I'm addressing his question....between $100 and 150. If he can afford a little more then that ...it also opens up other options we can suggest....he has thus far not indicated such.
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I know, its just that the big performance jump for spending an extra $19 over budget for a 5900XT is really worth it. If he isn't going to spend that much, might as well just get a cheaper card like the $127 5700nu, which isnt as fast as the 9600XT or 5900XT, but will be a significant upgrade.
 
tranCendenZ said:
I know, its just that the big performance jump for spending an extra $19 over budget for a 5900XT is really worth it. If he isn't going to spend that much, might as well just get a cheaper card like the $127 5700nu, which isnt as fast as the 9600XT or 5900XT, but will be a significant upgrade.
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Agree.

I disagree however with your general broadstroke statements.......the guy/girl wants assistance. Lets give it to them without favoritism. I'm actually sitting here thinking about buying that 5900XT for my GF's machine. :D
 
This is a lot of information too soak up. The naming conventions of the cards make it even more difficult to follow. The 100 to 150 dollar price range is a ballpark price range, not hard and fast, so if there is significant advantages to buy a card for 169 I wouldnt be against that. Dont' want to go too much over that price though. Thanks again, I'm just sorting through all of this to make heads or tails lol. Lots of different opinions out there and I thank you all for you input again.
 
glafond said:
This is a lot of information too soak up. The naming conventions of the cards make it even more difficult to follow. The 100 to 150 dollar price range is a ballpark price range, not hard and fast, so if there is significant advantages to buy a card for 169 I wouldnt be against that. Dont' want to go too much over that price though. Thanks again, I'm just sorting through all of this to make heads or tails lol. Lots of different opinions out there and I thank you all for you input again.
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Like Tran said....if you can afford a little more...that 5900 is a great card. IMO the BEST bang for the buck going right now is hands down a 9800 Pro. Run you about $200 starting. The number can all be confusing but thats what boards like this are for.....to ask questions and get some well rounded answers....
 
tranCendenZ said:
That is against a 5600 Ultra not a 5900XT, way different cards there. 5600 Ultra is 4x1 128-bit (nv31 core based on nv30), 5900XT is 4x2 256-bit (nv35 core - better shader performance than nv30 core).

See the above hardware hell review for a 5900XT/9600XT/9800SE comparison.
Click to expand...

OOPs my fault on the 5600ultra but I have seen the 5900XT and 9600XT 256 run close before. While the 5900XT wins in some benches its not by much, and that is against 9600XT 128

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTk5LDE=
 
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