ATI still provides better text display than nVidia?

[blahsome]

I'm looking to upgrade my PCI-e graphics card from an ATI X300SE to a more modern card. Does ATI still hold any (slight) advantage displaying everyday 2D text over nVidia, or is it just another myth nowadays?

Since I'm not heavily into gaming, I need a card that excels in displaying 2D text as well as being capable of handling modern games with reasonable results. (e.g. I don't need something that outputs 80 fps at 1600x1200.

Here's my system spec:

Dell 8400
P4 3GHz HT 2MB-cache 800MHz frontbus
1GB DDR2 PC2-4200 RAM
80GB SATA Seagate HD w/ NCQ
20' UltraSharp 2001FP LCD 1600x1200

So I guess the graphics card is definitely one thing holding it back?

 

[Appledrop]

mmm well i swear my nvidia geforce 2 ultra has a better 2d picture than my ati x800xt pe =l. It would help slightly knowing what games you intend to play though... If into modern FPS games, with a budget, i would get a 6600GT. But yeh, please tell me your gaming prefs and budget if possible =)

 

[blahsome]

Budget, I'm looking at ~$150. As far as FPS games, I've played CS and Return to Castle. What newer games do you recommend?

 

[blahsome]

Sounds like a 6600GT is close to my budget here and can be had for around $160-170. A good card to get?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: blahsome
Sounds like a 6600GT is close to my budget here and can be had for around $160-170. A good card to get?

yes, should be faster than a 9800xt

 

[Matthias99]

It's not a question of "ATI versus NVIDIA", it's a question of how good the RAMDACs and VGA output circuitry are on the video card in question. Back in the day, RAMDACs were supplied by the card maker -- but nowadays, they're integrated into the GPU and are all pretty good. So the only real variable is the analog outputs (with DVI, they should all be the same, although NVIDIA's onboard DVI outputs have some issues with resolutions at and above 1600x1200, and don't quite meet the DVI spec).

In more recent history, the tendency has been that NVIDIA OEMs tend to cut corners on the analog output circuits, especially on low-end models (cheap GF4MX and FX5200 cards are notorious for this), whereas ATI OEMs didn't. But it really comes down to individual cards and models, not some blanket statement you can make like "ATI has better 2D quality".

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: blahsome
Sounds like a 6600GT is close to my budget here and can be had for around $160-170. A good card to get?

yes its the best performing card near the $150 price mark....get the 6600GT anyday if ur budget is that range!!

 

[LTC8K6]

The X700pro would also be a good upgrade. It should be a bit less than the 6600GT.

 

[Miklebud]

I just went from an ATI to an nVidia. And there is no real difference between the text.

 

[Ackmed]

A few years ago there was a very big difference in 2D and text. My 8500 was much beter than my GF2U, or even GF3. To me ATi had a clear advantage. Currently, I think they are so close you cant tell. I doubt many, if any at all could tell the difference sitting beside the two.

 

[Jeff7181]

I didn't notice a difference in 2D between my MSI Ti4200, or my Asus Ti4200, or my Aopen FX5900, or my Powercolor 9800 Pro, or my BFG 6800GT. For all intents and purposes, I don't think there's a difference anymore. Of course if you were doing design work and had a $2000 CRT you'd probably want to make sure you get the best quality.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I didn't notice a difference in 2D between my MSI Ti4200, or my Asus Ti4200, or my Aopen FX5900, or my Powercolor 9800 Pro, or my BFG 6800GT. For all intents and purposes, I don't think there's a difference anymore. Of course if you were doing design work and had a $2000 CRT you'd probably want to make sure you get the best quality.

in which case he would want a matrox

 

[Emultra]

Parhelia or what?

Otherwise the 6600GT is a fine card.

 

[PrayForDeath]

A 6600GT is the best card for your budget. Its 2D quality is great for me. But if you want something better you'll have to invest in some professional 3D card (FireGL, Quadro, Matrox, etc...), but it's not worth it if all you need is a good quality text/internet browsing.

 

[Richteralan]

I wouldn't think the cost of getting Matrox is worth for it's image quality