Graphics Card Purchase

[NomisST]

I have a ABIT IC7-G Motherboard with a Intel P4 3.0Ghz 800fsb Processor, I have my computer basically all setup, all I need now is the graphics card. I am really confused about what to get because I saw the benchmarks for the Geforce FX 5900 Ultra and they were nice, but people also said the Ati Radeon 9800 256mb Pro version is good also, then someone else told me there is no point of getting a 256mb version card cause it's really just a waste of money and performance is not that big of a difference, Go to Tom's Hardware to read about it. Anyway the card I am looking at right now is the the Sapphire RADEON 9800 PRO Atlantis Ultimate Edition. It has a fanless cooling system, which could be something new to use other then the fan. And it's a 128mb card, and $400.00, cheaper at other places, but at retail price is $399.99. I have a budget of $500 more dollars to spend, if I get to spend $400.00 I get to buy another joystick for fighting games, most likely a customized 10 button lay out competition joystick or maybe just another mass stick, check it out: http://www.massystems.com/ProStick.html Anyway back to the card, I would like to hear some personal feedback from poeple on what cards they have and how they worked for them. Especialy if anyone has the same MOBO and Chip I have. And if anyone can tell me if they have the Sapphire RADEON 9800 PRO Atlantis Ultimate Edition how good it is, because I really am Considering getting that card. Please help me out, thanks a lot.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'm considering the Atlantis myself since I don't usually overclock and like the idea of removing the whiny fan. From the 9700 Pro model review I read (from a link at newegg.com) the main drawback is these cards don't overclock as well as normal versions with a fan.

If I don't get that, I'll either get the Sapphire "regular" 9800 Pro 128 ($372 at newegg) or maybe a fx5900. My video card budget is whatever I feel like (I've been setting aside $$ for an upgrade for a couple of years now) but I just don't like the idea of paying an extra $100 for about the same performance as the Radeon. Just like I refuse to buy an inte 3.2 instead of a 3.0 becuase it's such a lousy deal. I also don't like that nVidia is playing "optimization" games by silently turning down image quality in games like UT2K3 and Elite Force II to score better on benchmarks. If I buy a $500 card they had better starting letting me see the image quality I'm paying them for :|

What people are telling you about ATI cards not needing 256 MB is true. nVidia cards do benefit from 256 MB if you're using 1024x768 or higher and filtering / anti-aliasing.

If you must have nVidia, the Gainward GeForce FX 5900, 8X AGP(Golden Sample), 128MB(256bit) for $390 from newegg looks like a nice compromise, though you do give up some speed (see the review): Gainward review at HardOCP

 

[NomisST]

Thanks a lot for that golden information. I think imma buy the sapphire Ultra one, it looks nice and the no fan is pretty cool. Thanks again, if anyone has anymore information please help this forum out. Come on you know you want to write something.

 

[tbates757]

Best value for mid-high end right now in graphics cards is the 9800 non-pro... at NewEgg you can get a Sapphire 9800 Non-Pro 128MB card for $265... that is a pretty damn good deal if you ask me... which you didn't, but you know, if you did...... damnit

 

[NomisST]

Pretty nice, but look at this exactly $399.00, http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1 free shipping!!! Love new egg. Look at the ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP RETAIL with the remote and all the other stuff it comes with. Exactly where my price range is. How do people rate this card please reply. And if you know of a better card, then bring on the info.

 

[Corporate Thug]

9800 pro= top notch card

 

[NomisST]

Originally posted by: shady06
9800 pro= top notch card

Which one? haha Is the ALL in wonder 9800 Pro a top notch card too? I am considering this one now, by the way. It's freaking 399, free shipping. What does everyone else think?

 

[tbates757]

Hell dude, if you can afford a 9800 Pro All in Wonder, then by all means go for it. I just mentioned the middle range card because basically that's my price range and I just wasn't sure how much you wanted to spend

 

[NomisST]

Yea the ATI ALL IN WONDER 9800 PRO is a nice card, but I don't think if im going to need all those freakin features. I don't even watch tv, shoot i don't even have a tv, I play all my video games on a monitor with a VGA converter. The only reason why i would buy that card is if it can record DVD's so I can record animes, or can play Consoles on the Monitor, then I would consider it, But if it can't then I think imma get the ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128mb.