Graphics card dilemma....

[SilentZero]

I am building a system running a AMD64 3400+ w/ the MSI-Neo K8T FIS2R mb, amongst other things. I have been stuck deciding on a video card for the machine since it will mostly be for gaming.

So the question is.....ATI 9800XT (256mb) or the Geforce 5950 (256mb). Also, which manufactures are best?

Im hoping that there isn't a conflict with either card as far as my motherboard is concerned.

This is my first MSI mobo, as well as first AMD64 build. I appreciate any comments or advice you all can give me!!! Thanks!

 

[xSauronx]

think youll upgrade again when the new cards are out in a month or so?

 

[jjyiz28]

9800xt

 

[stnicralisk]

Neither card is worth the money.

With a little investigation and help from the forums @ 3dguru.com you can flash a 9800 pro into an xt or a 5900NU/U into a 5950

For the 9800 flash you MUST use a 256mb version but for the geforce you can create a 128mb 5950 if you so desire.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Neither, both are an enormous rip off compounded by the fact that a new wave of cards is coming that will demolish either of them within a couple of months. Right now you can buy a board that will perform within ~5%-10% in nigh all situations for half the cost of those two(the R9800Pro or FX5900). Do not even bother looking at them for now. If you want a real high end card wait a month or so for NV40/R420, if not then pick up a R9800Pro or FX5900 as they are significantly better values. Anyone who tells you anything else doesn't know what they are talking about

 

[First]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Anyone who tells you anything else doesn't know what they are talking about

Unless it's Ben!

 

[Schadenfroh]

i agree with skywalker

 

[Budmantom]

Get a 9800pro for around $205 if your not satisfied wait a couple of months and you will have the new crop of cards to pick from, sell the 98000pro for $150 and your all set.

Tom

 

[Budmantom]

One other thing downgrade yor cpu to a 3200+ and save another $150

Tom

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Neither, both are an enormous rip off compounded by the fact that a new wave of cards is coming that will demolish either of them within a couple of months. Right now you can buy a board that will perform within ~5%-10% in nigh all situations for half the cost of those two(the R9800Pro or FX5900). Do not even bother looking at them for now. If you want a real high end card wait a month or so for NV40/R420, if not then pick up a R9800Pro or FX5900 as they are significantly better values. Anyone who tells you anything else doesn't know what they are talking about

This is very accurate.

 

[Tango57]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Neither, both are an enormous rip off compounded by the fact that a new wave of cards is coming that will demolish either of them within a couple of months. Right now you can buy a board that will perform within ~5%-10% in nigh all situations for half the cost of those two(the R9800Pro or FX5900). Do not even bother looking at them for now. If you want a real high end card wait a month or so for NV40/R420, if not then pick up a R9800Pro or FX5900 as they are significantly better values. Anyone who tells you anything else doesn't know what they are talking about

i agree, they are just way too much for their money and with the new cards coming out soon i'd probably just wait if i were you. if you can't wait and want to upgrade now try going with the 9800 Pro or the FX 5900 Ultra. i've seen many benchmarks on these cards pitted against the 9800XT and the 5950 Ultra and with a difference of only just a few frame rates (0.5-10 fps more...hardly noticable to the human eye), i swear they're nearly just as fast and in some benchmarks even beat out the 2 higher end cards, go figure and these companies stand to make $100-$200 more off their customers by selling them. they are virtually the same. besides you can always overclock them and get even better performance out of them.

 

[psyconius]

So will the next gen cards have a "budget" card that is priced about the same as a 5900 n/u that will be twice as good?

 

[Matthias99]

So will the next gen cards have a "budget" card that is priced about the same as a 5900 n/u that will be twice as good?

Not for a long while. Usually what happens is the new high-end cards come in at a very high price, and then "midrange" cards are gradually introduced, which would rougly correspond to today's "high-end" parts (like the 9800Pro or 5900Ultra). It's VERY hard to predict exactly what the pricing will be, especially since it's still very unclear how NVIDIA and ATI's new offerings will compare head-to-head.

Basically, the 9800Pro and 5900NU are both pretty good deals right now, and are likely to retain a good amount of resale value if you do want to upgrade within the next 6-12 months. If you want a very high-end card (in the $300-500 range), wait for the next-gen parts, as the rumors place them as being big jumps up from the 9800XT/5950U.

 

[Gagabiji]

Don't do anything, wait for the R420 to come out. IT probably will only be like what, maybe $100-150 (assuming that R420 prices are ~$499) more? Then just get that.

 

[SilentZero]

Thanks all for your advice. I have never been a gamer and this whole "high-end" video card decision is completely new to me. The only game I really plan on playing is Microsoft Flight Sim 2004 along with battlefield 1942 and a few others.

You have saved me $200+ and I thank you all. I'll take your advice and go with a 9800 PRO and wait a few months to upgrade. My wife and I have our first child due this summer, so any money I can save is a benefit.

Budmantom: Yes Ive thought about that also, but only after I placed the order for the 3400+. Should be here today hopefully...but who knows with fedex.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Thanks all for your advice. I have never been a gamer and this whole "high-end" video card decision is completely new to me. The only game I really plan on playing is Microsoft Flight Sim 2004 along with battlefield 1942 and a few others.

You have saved me $200+ and I thank you all. I'll take your advice and go with a 9800 PRO and wait a few months to upgrade. My wife and I have our first child due this summer, so any money I can save is a benefit.

Budmantom: Yes Ive thought about that also, but only after I placed the order for the 3400+. Should be here today hopefully...but who knows with fedex.

Congrats on the pregnancy, I'm in the same boat.

The biggest difference between the 9800pro and 5900 is AA/AF, the 9800pro gives you better IQ.

It's funny how you always have great ideas after you order

Tom

 

[SilentZero]

Thanks. Yeah, I think I get to eager and order parts without thinking things completely through. At least I held off on the vid card though. Congrats also!

 

[SilentZero]

Oh yeah...Would the 128mb version of the ATI 9800pro be able to run more advanced games very well? Or would it be better to go with the 256mb version?

Also, does the ATI 9800 Pro AIW and the ATI 9800 Pro 128mb differ in gaming performance???? I wouldn't mind getting the extra features for $50 more, but I don't want to sacrafice gaming performance to do so. I could always get a seperate card to do DVR tasks and such.