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6600GT (AGP) or ATI AIW RADEON 9800PRO

K

Kaadg

Member
Putting together a new system and was originally dead set on the 6600GT (AGP), but since I'm not a "Hard Core" gamer I'm starting to think it might be kinda cool to go with the ATI AIW RADEON 9800PRO for about $20 more.

I know the 6600GT is faster and has the "Pure Video" technology so I'm sure the future of that card is bright, but would a non hard core gamer like myself really see a difference in game play between the two.......now and in the future? ( I know what the benchmarks say but real world applications are often different).

Since I won't be upgrading for at least three years, would the 9800pro suit my needs until then, or would I be better off in getting the 6000GT with the new "pure video" technology (promising better things to come), then getting an add-on TV tuner later?

My goal is to be set for the next three years without further upgrades.

Kaad_g

 
the 9800pro is a year old already, the 6600gt is new. the GT is alot faster too and by the end of 3 years, i think youll be happier with the 66gt, with SM3.0 support and all the newer features.
 
You want to spend more... for a slower card? 😕

Get the 6600GT and an add-on tuner. That way you're not tied to the AIW card if you want to upgrade your video again later, or if you want to upgrade to an HD tuner or something like that.

 
I had a 9600pro aiw, and it was a mistake. I just upgraded to a 6600gt, and have no tv tuner now. I liked the ati aiw, it performed well. But its useless to me know. I will never buy a TV tuner that is built into a video card again. With a standalone tuner, you can keep using the tuner if you upgrade your video card.
 
Interesting answers: I would have thought for sure that someone would have recommended the AIW card. But since this site is more oriented towards gaming, I can understand the support for the Video only card.

You know, I never thought about that fact that you can use the separate TV tuner card in the next system when upgrading; that really changes my way of thinking.

I checked out the prices of the "quality" tuner cards and that would almost double the price of the "All in one" approach. But then it's something that would be used for some time to come and I think I would be happier with a quality system. I honestly never really did much research before on TV tuners, but will do more now.

Thanks for the answers.

Kaad_g
 
you dont need a quality tuner (by quality im assuming you mean a hardware encoding card). Those cards can be 100 or more. The AIW does not have a hardware encoder so the comparison is not a fair one. Its better for you to get the 6600GT for 200 and the leadtek deluxe(30 dollars) or expert(50 dollars). These leadtek cards are not hardware encoders and are comparable to the tuner on an AIW.
 
I researched a little more and it would appear that the hardware encoders are the way to go. Otherwise you're right, Software encoding TV tuners are fairly inexpensive.

Kaad_g
 
I have a 9800AIWpro and it is adequate for what is out now. I agree that a 6600GT plus a tuner card may be the way to go, but I downgraded to my card since I have a 27"widescreen LCD TV with DVI hookup. I don't like DIII so HL2 runs fine with this and my native resolution is 1280X720 and even farcry is cool at that res. So for ME it is an AIW. I would suspect that I am a rare case though.
 
Even for straight PVR the AIW can be a pain. If you aren't into doing it THEIR way, you don't do it. Also, there is no way to get around copy protection (macrovision over cable?). Several cable TV stations would only allow capture of the ads, and ATI's software made sure of it (USA, for one).

Software vs. hardware encoders depends on how beefy of a PC you have, and what you do. However, harwdare encoders typically have better support for 3rd-party apps and alternate OS platforms.
 
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