Getting a pci-e card for a new build

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lookin4dlz

Senior member
May 19, 2001
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I'm not a big gamer, I use my system for office apps & as a htpc, but don't want to limit my ability to play some of the newer games if I want. I don't know when (if?) I'll switch to Vista though & don't want poor performance under Windows XP in the interim.

Should I get a DX 9 or DX 10 card?
 
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Matt2

Diamond Member
Jul 28, 2001
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If you're not a huge gamer, I dont think this would be the right time to invest in DX10.

Just get a cheap DX9 card that would be a nice upgrade to that 9600XT and wait it out until you actually get a good reason to upgrade to Vista.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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Matt is right, DX10 gaming won't be affordable for a long time yet. The midrange/low-end DX10 cards are worthless outside of HTPC and generic windows apps. You can get a fantastic DX9 card that will be great in Vista as well, I recommend looking at the 7600GT and X1950XT for the low/midrange price segments. Both will play new games very well as long as you find the balance of resolution/details.
 
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lookin4dlz

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May 19, 2001
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Every sub-$100 card that's hdcp is also DirectX 10 & I just found out that DX10 is incompatible with Windows XP.
 
will889

will889

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Sep 15, 2003
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7900GS sounds about right in this situation. This is why I recently bought a 7950GT (I had another one In another rig though), but it was because I don't plan on going Vista until SP1 or possibly SP2, so by the time I go DX10 and Vista, real midrange cards that can carry Crysis with Vista and DX10.
 
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Skott

Diamond Member
Oct 4, 2005
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Right now for XP users you shouldnt buy a video card for DX10 just to have DX10. You buy it because its a more powerful card with better performance. Take the G80 cards for example. If you buy one now you are buying it because its a faster and more powerful card than the one you have. Not because it has DX10.
 
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lookin4dlz

Senior member
May 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
If you are going htpc I'd buy a lower-end dx10 card with hdcp and spend your extra $$$ on another big hasrd drive to hold all that captured ota HD content . . .
Click to expand...


I guess that's the dilemma...

I can buy an inexpensive Dx10 plus Vista or a decent DX9 and keep Win XP. Given that, any additional input?

My new motherboard arrived from Newegg (Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Rev3.3) & I'm itching to build. I may have to go ahead & buy a card locally (if the big box stores carry anything decent) instead of from Newegg.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
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Originally posted by: lookin4dlz
Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
If you are going htpc I'd buy a lower-end dx10 card with hdcp and spend your extra $$$ on another big hasrd drive to hold all that captured ota HD content . . .
Click to expand...


I guess that's the dilemma...

I can buy an inexpensive Dx10 plus Vista or a decent DX9 and keep Win XP. Given that, any additional input?

My new motherboard arrived from Newegg (Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Rev3.3) & I'm itching to build. I may have to go ahead & buy a card locally (if the big box stores carry anything decent) instead of from Newegg.
Click to expand...

get a radeon 2400 maybe? they're basically display/HTPC cards, no real gaming power except old stuff. they do have HD playback acceleration though, which is nice :)

this one is fanless

this one gets you free Call of Juarez :D
 
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MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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He does want to play the occasional game if it comes out. I'd say x1950xt for 149$ and use XP. I've got Vista - Ultimate, but only because I got it for free, and needed it to review Vista only games. For everything else, like posting on these forums, and playing games like Dirt/Overlord etc etc I just use XP.
 
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lookin4dlz

Senior member
May 19, 2001
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Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to lean toward a 1950-class DX9 because it will run on XP & Vista. Maybe I'll upgrade to Vista, DX10 & a Quad core over the course of the next year.
 
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lookin4dlz

Senior member
May 19, 2001
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Also, just looking over the psu situation. I don't want to have to upgrade the psu as well, so the 1950xt may be out...
 
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lookin4dlz

Senior member
May 19, 2001
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It's this: Antec TRUE480

With 3 Sata internal HD & a Sata DVD R/W, X-Fi, a couple of fans, an overclocked processor & maybe another internal pci card would put me at the borderline I think. Unless the 1950XT doesn't really need as much power as they indicate.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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Should be okay, the C2D doesn't use near the power the old Pentium Ds used, and I know someone with nearly the same setup as you with a PD and an X1900XTX.
 
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heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
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The GeForce 8600 GTS is roughly equivalent to the Radeon X1950XT in gaming speed and is dx10/hdcp compatible - about the same price, too I think I remember somethin' like 48 watts - or pullin' 4 amps.

The Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR4 reportedly is eqivalent to the GeForce 8600 GTS. The 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 is about 2/3 price and 2/3 the performance.

The Radeon 2400 XT is about half the price of the 2600xt/8600gts (and half the gaming performance).

ATI/nVidia have their pricing schedules worked out :)

 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
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Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
The GeForce 8600 GTS is roughly equivalent to the Radeon X1950XT in gaming speed and is dx10/hdcp compatible - about the same price, too I think I remember somethin' like 48 watts - or pullin' 4 amps.

The Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR4 reportedly is eqivalent to the GeForce 8600 GTS. The 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 is about 2/3 price and 2/3 the performance.

The Radeon 2400 XT is about half the price of the 2600xt/8600gts (and half the gaming performance).

ATI/nVidia have their pricing schedules worked out :)
Click to expand...

Sorry, but for most or all games, the X1950XT is FAR faster than the 8600GTS / 2600XT.

EDIT: Just so you don't think I'm spamming FUD, look at this review right here on AT :

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3023

In most games, the 8600GTS and 2600XT lose to older cards like the X1950Pro (which is a lot slower than the X1950XT), as well as the 7900GS and 7950GT!
 
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MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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hehe Arkaign 1, heyheybooboo 0 :p

this is why the midrange dx10 cards are being ripped a new one by about all hardware review sites.
 
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heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
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Originally posted by: MarcVenice
hehe Arkaign 1, heyheybooboo 0 :p

this is why the midrange dx10 cards are being ripped a new one by about all hardware review sites.
Click to expand...

Dang those pesky facts! :) Thanks, Arkaign!


I had seen AT's review on the 8600gts/2600xt gaming. They both have a long way to go with dx10 nVidia dinks AMD/ATI in gaming but from what I've seen the 8600 gets smoked by the 2600 in HD playback . . .
 
will889

will889

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2003
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would say if OP wants a terrific bargain right now the eVGA 7900GS for around $100.00 AR or the X1950XT linked above for more performance, then hop on the DX10 train later when midrange cards (or mid-high) can actually play DX10 well. Early DX10 games should look just about as good in DX9 mode in those games.
 
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lookin4dlz

Senior member
May 19, 2001
688
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Originally posted by: vetanix
Newegg increased the price of the x1950xt from 150 to 180 AR. Bastards!!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, just saw that this am. In any event, I've decided I want all three of my pci slots to be available for use so those that block this off are off the list. I'll probably go with a x1950Pro.
 
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