I have around $200 to spend on a video card, what do I get?

M

Morter Forker

Weaksauce
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Oct 4, 2002
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Building a new box. Gonna be a athlon 64 3000+ with a gig of ram on a gigabyte board. I need a video card for it. I probably wont upgrade my video card for a year.

Looking at pricewatch I see I can get:
9800 128 meg $145
9700 pro 128 meg $212
9600 XT 256 meg $193
9500 Pro 128 meg $179
5900 128 $184
5800 $192

So which of these should I get and why. Please consider what is coming out in the next year.
 
Definetely the 9700pro. That 9800 you have listed is an SE and will be slower then even a 9600xt. The 9700pro will run the future games better then 5800 and 5900 cards.
 
Originally posted by Roost426
Definetely the 9700pro. That 9800 you have listed is an SE and will be slower then even a 9600xt. The 9700pro will run the future games better then 5800 and 5900 cards.
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See that in your magic ball? Either the 5900 or 9700 pro are good choices.
 
Obs its called everyone but the blind have seen fx bad shader performance But lot's of people still think all you need is a 1000fps and dont run AA an AF and thats a good card lmfao:p
 
Originally posted by Morter Forker
SO no one thinks I should go for the 9800 XT?
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Originally posted by Morter Forker
Building a new box. Gonna be a athlon 64 3000+ with a gig of ram on a gigabyte board. I need a video card for it. I probably wont upgrade my video card for a year.

Looking at pricewatch I see I can get:
9800 128 meg $145
9700 pro 128 meg $212
9600 XT 256 meg $193
9500 Pro 128 meg $179
5900 128 $184
5800 $192

So which of these should I get and why. Please consider what is coming out in the next year.
Click to expand...

wasn't listed. thats a 9600xt. 9600xt compares closely to a 9500pro which was the second lowest selection in the 9500/9700's the 9700pro will beat it almost any day of the week, might be a few rare exceptions due to its completely different design. In newer dx9 games a 9600xt might beat a 9700pro but im not putting my money on it.

or you could do that to save some gold.

BTW where did you find a 9600xt 256mb.
 
Originally posted by Sojuuk
wasn't listed. thats a 9600xt. 9600xt compares closely to a 9500pro which was the second lowest selection in the 9500/9700's the 9700pro will beat it almost any day of the week, might be a few rare exceptions due to its completely different design. In newer dx9 games a 9600xt might beat a 9700pro but im not putting my money on it.

or you could do that to save some gold.

BTW where did you find a 9600xt 256mb.
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http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/simprod.asp?pid=8287&ad=pwatch

Saphire ati radeon 9600xt 256mb.


Also I am getting this card also so I will be able to play battlefield vietnam, tactical operations,a nd probably hl2. If the 256 mb may make it better in those games and slighly worse in games now I may go with it.
 
i doubt that card would know what to do with 256mb of ram. It is more or less a marketting ploy.

9700pro will still be better.

but hey if you want bragging rights as i did when i ordered my 256mb 9800pro go right ahead. I doubt youll find tomany 9600xt 256mb and it seems to be running at the same speeds as regualr 9600xt's. likely it will have much less overcloking in the ram but hey that is up to you.

my vote is now undecided as i like bragging rights.
 
Originally posted by Sojuuk
i doubt that card would know what to do with 256mb of ram. It is more or less a marketting ploy

9700pro will still be better.
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is that because of the 4 puipes instead of 8?
 
Originally posted by Morter Forker
is that because of the 4 puipes instead of 8?
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not only that but the 9700pro has 256bit memory as aposed to the 9600xt's 128bit, this allows it to have double or so more memory bandwidth.

also edited post read it now

oh hey might want to note this : Additional Information This package does not include Half-Life 2 Coupon.
read that on package info just little FYI

and the ram on this card appears to be non-bga allowing even less overclockability most likely.
 
Originally posted by Sojuuk
not only that but the 9700pro has 256bit memory as aposed to the 9600xt's 128bit, this allows it to have double or so more memory bandwidth.

also edited post read it now

oh hey might want to note this : Additional Information This package does not include Half-Life 2 Coupon.
read that on package info just little FYI

and the ram on this card appears to be non-bga allowing even less overclockability most likely.
Click to expand...
Well I dont intend to overclock it much. :hs: Maybe a little bit but who knows. And according to sapphire's website it does come with the game coupon, so who knows. :eek:
 
Originally posted by Sojuuk
not only that but the 9700pro has 256bit memory as aposed to the 9600xt's 128bit, this allows it to have double or so more memory bandwidth.

also edited post read it now

oh hey might want to note this : Additional Information This package does not include Half-Life 2 Coupon.
read that on package info just little FYI

and the ram on this card appears to be non-bga allowing even less overclockability most likely.
Click to expand...

What does this non BGA bs mean?
 
bga is the yummy square ram you'll be getting elongated ram used on older cards like the gf3's and such. Good ram just not great.
 
Originally posted by Sojuuk
bga is the yummy square ram you'll be getting elongated ram used on older cards like the gf3's and such. Good ram just not great.
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Why is it not great? Takes up more space?
 
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