Help me choose a video card

[Blackroot]

Ok, i am in desperate need of a video card, considering i already have all my other parts except the RAM, and obviously the video card. I'm gonna say that i am capping off what i'll spend at a total maximum of 300, which i really do not want to reach.
the cards i am looking at are:

ATI Radeon 9600 pro - $120-150 i tihnk it's round there, not usre tho
ATI Radeon 9600 AIW pro - 220
ATI Radeon 9700 pro - around 280-300
ATI Radeon 9800np - 243 can flash easily to pro, or so i've heard
ATI Radeon 9800pro - 300, prolly not, unless 9800np runs out before i can get to ordering one
MSI GeforceFX 5700 ultra - 200 AFR - this is prolly a no, just i am an nVidia fan at heart, so needed to put it in there. What you think i should get, right now i am leaning mostly towards 9800np, is that a good choice, what you think?

 

[kza]

Either the 9800np or the FX 5900 is the way to go. You can get the FX 5900 for $219 at Newegg. The FX 5900 is a way better card than the 5700 Ultra and it's only $19 more.

 

[modedepe]

Yep either the 9800np or the fx5900nu would be excellent choices.

 

[JammingJay]

Really depends what you want to do. If you want a card that can have all the eye candy on @ say 1280x1024, then go for a Radeon 9800np. If you want to save some cash and want something thats best bang for your buck, then get the Radeon 9600pro. If you already have a Ti4200 or equivalent card, then you might be best in keeping what you have and waiting till the next generation of games or video cards come out since it'll reasonably play anything out there. Best of luck to you.

 

[Corporate Thug]

9800np

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: Blackroot
Ok, i am in desperate need of a video card, considering i already have all my other parts except the RAM, and obviously the video card. I'm gonna say that i am capping off what i'll spend at a total maximum of 300, which i really do not want to reach.
the cards i am looking at are:

ATI Radeon 9600 pro - $120-150 i tihnk it's round there, not usre tho
ATI Radeon 9600 AIW pro - 220
ATI Radeon 9700 pro - around 280-300
ATI Radeon 9800np - 243 can flash easily to pro, or so i've heard
ATI Radeon 9800pro - 300, prolly not, unless 9800np runs out before i can get to ordering one
MSI GeforceFX 5700 ultra - 200 AFR - this is prolly a no, just i am an nVidia fan at heart, so needed to put it in there. What you think i should get, right now i am leaning mostly towards 9800np, is that a good choice, what you think?

Easily the 9800np from that list. Why even list the 9700 Pro for $280+ when the 9800 is just as fast, and if flashed to Pro is way faster?

The FX5700 is crap too (compared to the 9700/9800), however if you really like Nvidia, look into a GeForce FX 5900 non-ultra. You should be able to get one for $200-250 also. I'd go for that or the 9800np.

 

[Mem]

I agree the 9800NP would seem the right choice,good price and performance even without overclocking.

 

[Bateluer]

Go for the 9800np. If you're on a strict budget, the 9600s make excellent cards but they cannot compare to the 9800 series.

As for the FXs, I wouldn't touch any of them. The entire NV3x line is one big joke, Nvidia's worst blunder to date.

 

[Blackroot]

My current card is a Geforce 2mx 400 32mb sd ram, so i do need an uprgrade pretty bad.

 

[kza]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Go for the 9800np. If you're on a strict budget, the 9600s make excellent cards but they cannot compare to the 9800 series.

As for the FXs, I wouldn't touch any of them. The entire NV3x line is one big joke, Nvidia's worst blunder to date.

I wouldn't say that it is a big joke. It is a very good performer and the driver stability/compatibility is the best. Have you even tried an FX 5900 card before saying such things? I've bought both cards and I have to say that they both excel in certain areas. They both are known to "optimize" their driver, so pick either one and you'll be happy until the next generation cards.