A question for the video card gurus

Darksied-X · #1 09-20-2004, 08:50 AM

Now that I'm getting a 17" LCD and have GTA3 and Vice City, I've decided it's time to replace the POS TNT2 that came with my Vaio. I think I'm going to need one with DVI, but the kid I bought the LCD from on eBay is an idiot, so I'm really not sure yet. So, after considering the DVI, and checking out TigerDirect and NewEgg, I've decided on either a Sapphire brand Radeon 9550SE, or an ATi brand Radeon 9200SE. Both are AGP, 128MB, and DVI. I've also been looking at GeForce MX4000's & FX5200's, but for one with a DVI port, and from a brand I've actually heard of and trust, they're considerably more.

So, basically what I'm asking, is which should I get? I don't need anything high end, all I want to do is mod the crap out the GTA's and not have them crash on me, and maybe pick up some older games I've been meaning to, like Half-Life. Any suggestions? I work on PC's for a living, but I don't know jack about video cards, various chipsets, etc... Thanks guys!

Dza · #2 09-20-2004, 09:12 AM

My recommendation is to get a Sapphire 9800 Pro as seen here http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-281&depa=0

It's a little bit pricey, but nowhere near the high end of gfx cards. This card comes with an r360 core which can be soft modded (by means of firmware upgrade) to a 9800xt. If you do this, add an aftermarket cooler like the arctic cooling VGA silencer.

This is the card I run right now and its holding steady at 452/385 which is much higher than factory 9800pro settings.

lee · #3 09-20-2004, 09:14 AM

I'd hate to make a recommendation because I don't know ATI products.

I can say I've had very good luck with purchases from both of your sources, and although you may already know of it, I offer this site for additional places/prices, etc.

http://www.pricewatch.com/

Sidewinder · #4 09-20-2004, 09:15 AM

Evil Jeff,

I have the ATi Radeon 9200 in my computer. Thus far, my biggest complaint is the crappy drivers that came with it. The drivers on the CD were useless and didn't get along well with Windows XP Pro. A simple visit to the ATi website proved good. The suite of drivers from them are much better.

In terms of quality, I've not been disappointed. I haven't played any real new or high end games yet (like Doom 3) but for what I do, it's great. I play a lot of Command and Conquer Generals which is a demanding game and I have the video mode set to 800x600 with medium detail. No chop or anything. Granted, the amount of RAM and processor speed need to be taken into account.

All in all, I was mad when I first got it and the thing didn't work correctly, but after the new drivers, I've happy with it.

EDIT: After reading the response to mine below, I figured I should tell you what I've got.

AMD Athlon XP 2500 + (1800 mhz), Asus A7n8X MoBo, 512 PC3200 Ram.

SubaSteevo · #5 09-20-2004, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sidewinder
Evil Jeff,

I have the ATi Radeon 9200 in my computer. Thus far, my biggest complaint is the crappy drivers that came with it. The drivers on the CD were useless and didn't get along well with Windows XP Pro. A simple visit to the ATi website proved good. The suite of drivers from them are much better.

In terms of quality, I've not been disappointed. I haven't played any real new or high end games yet (like Doom 3) but for what I do, it's great. I play a lot of Command and Conquer Generals which is a demanding game and I have the video mode set to 800x600 with medium detail. No chop or anything. Granted, the amount of RAM and processor speed need to be taken into account.

All in all, I was mad when I first got it and the thing didn't work correctly, but after the new drivers, I've happy with it.

Ditto, except I play more of the high end games (Halo, MoH, COD, Unreal Tourn) and my card is a PowerColor, not an ATi. It has preformed very well, and was a steal at $40 shipped. I didn't go for the ATi because the comp is a 933mhz P3 although I did upgrade it to 512MB of RAM.

#6 09-20-2004, 12:54 PM

IMO the ATI 9600XT is the best bang for the buck. It really made the new games like FarCry and Doom 3 just look simply amazing and its really modestly priced for its specs (500mhz\600mhz 128ddr).

I agree that www.newegg.com seems to have the best prices I have found for building my own computers with reliable shipping and service.

As a computer builder, and player of to many games, I would say stick with the ATI brand, not someone that uses the ATI chipset, but thats just me.

Also, I have a ATI 9000 pro, 9200SE, and a 9600XT and there is a big difference between the last one and the first two.

Enjoy your gaming!

Earthworm · #7 09-21-2004, 04:42 PM

I also recommend the ATI 9600XT. Brand is not a big issue to me...I've sold a few different brands and have not seen any issues with them.

I would stay away from anything ATI with a lower number as well stay away from the 9800SE as it's slower than the 9600XT.

nsm484 · #8 09-22-2004, 05:49 AM

From Personal Experence, of getting 75fps with the GTA Vice City Frame Limiter off....... and im running an OLD nVidia GeForce 2 Ti....

nVidia is awsome... there Drivers are awsome. Overall I will always choose nVidia over ATi...

angrydan · #9 09-22-2004, 05:53 AM

For games like Half-Life and GTA3, my old GeForce 2 GTS played those fine. I would say any Radeon 9600 or 9800+ should suit you fine.

Until recently, the nVidia GeForce cards had been all the rage, but it seems that ATI has stolen a wider part of the market right now.

I am running a 9800 Pro with 256mb Video RAM right now and couldn't be happier with it. It plays Doom 3 like a dream.

I think going with a 9800 would be the best bang for your buck. Check sites like www.techbargains.com or www.pricewatch.com to see what deals you can find for one. I got mine from www.newegg.com for a great price.