good video card for doom3 at $200 or less

[burat]

I want a 9500 pro vs 9600 pro; would either run doom 3 well without OC'ing?
Can anyone comment on the noise from either card? Any other suggestions?

 

[kylebisme]

i don't know, never tired. is doom3 out already?

 

[Lonyo]

Radeon 9700 non-Pro should be about $200.

 

[burat]

well, of course it isn't out yet, but I thought someone on this board may have an idea if either card would do well with this game

 

[Schadenfroh]

the only thing about the doom3 situation is to wait and see.

 

[ponyo]

Yeah why buy card now for doom3 when it's not even out yet. New cards will be out by the time that game gets released and prices should drop on current cards. Technology always get faster and cheaper w/ time.

 

[Pete]

I suspect Quakecon at the end of August should answer your question. Disregarding D3, as IMO we have no really accurate ATi numbers, I'd get a 9700 over a 9500P over a 9600P. You may still find 9700's for ~$210.

 

[burat]

I need a video card now, and am trying to stay under $200, yet get one that will comfortably be able to handle Doom 3 come Nov or so.

 

[DefRef]

Originally posted by: burat
I need a video card now, and am trying to stay under $200, yet get one that will comfortably be able to handle Doom 3 come Nov or so.

Keep dreaming and pick up the new MaxPC - they have a cover article about what level of detail various DX-level cards can render in Half-Life 2. If you don't get a DX9-compatible card, you're going to miss out, but if you don't get something like a 9800 or 5900, it's going to be a pretty slide show.

 

[Regs]

I remember the hype before Quake came out with its new graphic engine. A damn Gf3 ran it perfectly let alone a ti4600 or 9500pro. I can't imagine more than 10% of people who own a computer and play games has a 400 dollar 9800pro or 5900 ultra. Which means Doom 3 or half life 2 would have a very small market to work with.

 

[FluxCap]

Keep dreaming and pick up the new MaxPC - they have a cover article about what level of detail various DX-level cards can render in Half-Life 2. If you don't get a DX9-compatible card, you're going to miss out, but if you don't get something like a 9800 or 5900, it's going to be a pretty slide show.

You are the second person I have read saying something like this. If this is true then I consider myself lucky I had just enough money for the 9800 Pro. I ALMOST got the 9500 Pro though, would I have been unhappy or pissed off if it wouldn't run these new games....yep. Looks like I need to read this article to see what's up. Anyone care to sum up what it says in a little more detail?

 

[AdamK47]

Who here can validate these recommendations themselves with Doom 3?

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: AdamK47 - 3DS
Who here can validate these recommendations themselves with Doom 3?

Simply to early to validate. When the offical Demos arrise then we will get a better idea.

 

[Pete]

If he's buying now, a ~$200 9700 is a better card than a 9500P/9600P, period, so it's safe to assume that will translate to better performance in Doom III. Whether that will be _sufficient_ is another question, and one that I don't think can be answered until a demo or playtest is released by Id for everyone (not by nV for three websites which neither clearly differentiated between Medium and High Quality and the difference in AF between the two nor tried testing both cards using the same path).

That said, I can't imagine Id releasing a game that won't perform well with at least midrange cards (currently 9600/5600/4800SE).

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Pete
If he's buying now, a ~$200 9700 is a better card than a 9500P/9600P, period, so it's safe to assume that will translate to better performance in Doom III. Whether that will be _sufficient_ is another question, and one that I don't think can be answered until a demo or playtest is released by Id for everyone (not by nV for three websites which neither clearly differentiated between Medium and High Quality and the difference in AF between the two nor tried testing both cards using the same path).

That said, I can't imagine Id releasing a game that won't perform well with at least midrange cards (currently 9600/5600/4800SE).

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: AdamK47 - 3DS
Who here can validate these recommendations themselves with Doom 3?

Simply to early to validate. When the offical Demos arrise then we will get a better idea.

My point exactly!

 

[stardust]

use ur 200 to keep u alive until doom3 comes out...
then buy a card for hl2

 

[ultimatebob]

Personally, I plan on keeping my Ti4200 until Doom 3 comes out. By then, I'll bet that you'll be able to buy a Radeon 9800 or GeForce FX 5900 level card for around $200.

 

[Le Québécois]

Personally, I plan on keeping my Ti4200 until Doom 3 comes out. By then, I'll bet that you'll be able to buy a Radeon 9800 or GeForce FX 5900 level card for around $200.

Dont think so....i mean...its almost been a year since the 9700 pro is out and the lowest price you can find it in canada is 320$US. 200$ for a 5900 Ultra when doom3 will be out..dont think so...

 

[Bonesdad]

I bet DOOM3 will run OK on a 4200. I cant see them releasing a game that is only going to run on 9800Pro or above when 95% of the population is probably running a GF4 MX440 at best. They aint gonna sell many games if ppls has to fork out $400 for a new video card to play it!

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Pete
If he's buying now, a ~$200 9700 is a better card than a 9500P/9600P, period, so it's safe to assume that will translate to better performance in Doom III. Whether that will be _sufficient_ is another question, and one that I don't think can be answered until a demo or playtest is released by Id for everyone (not by nV for three websites which neither clearly differentiated between Medium and High Quality and the difference in AF between the two nor tried testing both cards using the same path).

That said, I can't imagine Id releasing a game that won't perform well with at least midrange cards (currently 9600/5600/4800SE).

Well said... but just to ad another point... you can turn down graphics options to increase the speed... decrease resolution, decrease color depth... turn off all shadows... etc etc. You'll probably be able to play HL2 and Doom3 with a stock clocked Ti4200 just fine if you reduce the level of detail.
I've heard talk of "DX8 compatability modes" for new DX9 games that just forget about the DX9 optimizations and run it as if it were a DX8 game.

BTW... was there this much hype when we went from DX7 to DX8?!?!?

 

[Regs]

BTW... was there this much hype when we went from DX7 to DX8?!?!?

Likely. Since that was bigger leap then going from DX8-->DX9. But I think I sense a sarcastic tone in that question lol.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Regs

BTW... was there this much hype when we went from DX7 to DX8?!?!?

Likely. Since that was bigger leap then going from DX8-->DX9. But I think I sense a sarcastic tone in that question lol.

I guess in a way it was sarcastic... everyone's so concerned with DX9... DX9 this, DX9 that... I'm a hell of a lot more excited about the NV40 and R400 cores. In a way, I think the nVidia ATI battle will go the same way the Intel AMD battle has gone... ATI stomped nVidia in the face with the 9700 Pro over a year ago just like AMD did with the Athlon... that awoke the beast, after a couple new models and some core revisions, Intel has taken the crown back in terms of the fastest thing available. nVidia may not do it with the NV40... but I think the 9700 Pro was an eye opener for nVidia, and should spark some serious development over there. The GeForce FX was a disappointment... but don't think for a minute that the GeForce FX was nVidia's best work. "Release the fury Mitch"

 

[Schadenfroh]

maybe ati will force nvidia to actually use some of the 3dfx tech they bought to keep others from getting it.

 

[Regs]

Well Jeff I see your comparison, just one difference. The Intel 3.2 Ghz+ 800 FSB beast is twice the price of a Barton. And I hope that won't turn out the same way with Nvidia's beast.