I know I'm asking for it but

[Paratus]

Card

I'm building a new rig to replace a P3 500 384mb and a 32mb Ati Rage Fury
I don't have much time to play games anymore (ah Doom, Xcom, Tie Fighter, Privateer those were the days) but would like to play HL2 and Doom3

(I will not be a hard core gamer as I'm a happily whipped er married man and the wife does not approve of gaming in general and quite frankly I'm pretty busy anyway.)

I want VIVO capability and the Asus card has the best overall package for under $200. Plus it should be able to play kids games, video editing and office stuff for several years.

Do you folks think a 9600XT OC to 530/650 could run both games at at least 1024X768 and 30fps and maybe some AA and AF?

If not what would you recommend.

(Should I start a poll for 9800 pro or 6800NU?)

Cliff Notes(TM)
Building New Rig, Want to Play HL2 and D3 at ok not great res. Think I can convince wife to get card in link above. What do you think

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Paratus
Card

I'm building a new rig to replace a P3 500 384mb and a 32mb Ati Rage Fury
I don't have much time to play games anymore (ah Doom, Xcom, Tie Fighter, Privateer those were the days) but would like to play HL2 and Doom3

(I will not be a hard core gamer as I'm a happily whipped er married man and the wife does not approve of gaming in general and quite frankly I'm pretty busy anyway.)

I want VIVO capability and the Asus card has the best overall package for under $200. Plus it should be able to play kids games, video editing and office stuff for several years.

Do you folks think a 9600XT OC to 530/650 could run both games at at least 1024X768 and 30fps and maybe some AA and AF?

If not what would you recommend.

(Should I start a poll for 9800 pro or 6800NU?)

Cliff Notes(TM)
Building New Rig, Want to Play HL2 and D3 at ok not great res. Think I can convince wife to get card in link above. What do you think

Tough call. Just like any other response in any other thread like this, we have yet to have any real-world numbers yet to see how this game will run. This is the first game I can ever recall of so many people concerned with their current card running it. It's incredible.

So to answer your question, we don't know. It's a wait and see approach really.

 

[SneakyStuff]

BETTER DEAL That card is a ripoff Get a 9800 pro or a 5900XT, they outperform it.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Paratus
Do you folks think a 9600XT OC to 530/650 could run both games at at least 1024X768 and 30fps and maybe some AA and AF?

Maybe. That's actually a reasonable expectation of that videocard IMO. You'll probably have to forgo AA/AF though; I just can't see that card running those games with those kinds of features turned on.

PC Gamer reviewed DoomIII with 3.0ghz p4 and 6800Ultra and they were only able to enable AA/AF at 1024x768.

If you're really concerned, wait for the games to come out. From what I can tell, the 9600XT is 65% of a 9800PRO, more or less. The problem I have with it is that it costs 90% as much as a 9800PRO. Most people on here will tell you that the 9600XT is a very poor value at the moment.

As I stated in your other thread, I'm certain you'll be able to find a 9800PRO with VIVO and an acceptable software package. The only thing you'll probably lose out on is the HL2 voucher.

 

[SickBeast]

I found this one.. It's $259 though which may be above your budget. It's a 256MB 9800PRO w/ VIVO. It's also an Asus and it comes with the HL2 voucher. I'm not sure what else is in the software bundle, but I would imagine it would include the same video software as the 9600XT you were looking at.

In any event, this still isn't an awesome deal on a videocard; 256MB on a 9800 is a waste IMO. It may come into play with DoomIII/HL2, but for today's games the impact is minimal.

 

[Paratus]

Only 9800 Pro with VIVO I've seen is an Asus for $340 - well out of my price range.

My basic problem here is that I can't convince myself to get a "gaming" card when I know I'm only gonna spend about %10 of my time gaming. No matter how much I want too, it'd be a waste. I can convince myself to get the Asus card because I want to tryout some video capture stuff and it meets all my other requirements (under $200, good for web surfing/office stuff, kids games and can last for 2-3 years for those activities.)

I was hoping you folks could convince me to get something faster since I can't convince myself.

Sneaky Stuff

I know that would be my other option with an additional capture card for another 30-50 bucks. Which is a little high for my budget

 

[Paratus]

Thats a bit out of my range. But its the best price I've seen so far. Thanks!

It is close enough that I think I'll sleep on it tonight.

I plan on buying my vid card in the next few days.


the 256mb may not be such a waste as I understand the Asus Pro cards can be softmodded directly to 9800XT -- Very interesting.

 

[oldfart]

VIVO cards are kind of weak for any decent capture work. How about a 9800 Pro AIW for $249 after rebate?

What are your capture needs?

 

[VIAN]

Or how about you get a real card, 9800 Pro and get a separate TV wonder.

 

[Lonyo]

If you are looking at a card, don't be afraid to spend a bit extra to get a better ATi card assuming it comes with a HL2 voucher, since that measn you will be saving the money you would have spent of HL2, so a $260 card won't really be $260, more like $220 when you factor in the fact you will already have got your copy of HL2. (Saving $40 or however much it will cost)

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Paratus
Card

I'm building a new rig to replace a P3 500 384mb and a 32mb Ati Rage Fury
I don't have much time to play games anymore (ah Doom, Xcom, Tie Fighter, Privateer those were the days) but would like to play HL2 and Doom3

(I will not be a hard core gamer as I'm a happily whipped er married man and the wife does not approve of gaming in general and quite frankly I'm pretty busy anyway.)

I want VIVO capability and the Asus card has the best overall package for under $200. Plus it should be able to play kids games, video editing and office stuff for several years.

Do you folks think a 9600XT OC to 530/650 could run both games at at least 1024X768 and 30fps and maybe some AA and AF?

If not what would you recommend.

(Should I start a poll for 9800 pro or 6800NU?)

Cliff Notes(TM)
Building New Rig, Want to Play HL2 and D3 at ok not great res. Think I can convince wife to get card in link above. What do you think

Tough call. Just like any other response in any other thread like this, we have yet to have any real-world numbers yet to see how this game will run. This is the first game I can ever recall of so many people concerned with their current card running it. It's incredible.

So to answer your question, we don't know. It's a wait and see approach really.

well, considering that card runs most everything else mediocre, it's pretty safe to assume it will be mediocre or worse w/ hl2.

if aa/af is not a big concern, i would expect it would run it okay @ 1024, but as others have said, a 9800pro (or even a 5900xt) will undoubtedly perform much better.

 

[nRollo]

(Should I start a poll for 9800 pro or 6800NU?)

If I were building a new computer, the only card I would consider mentioned in this thread is the 6800NU. It is significantly faster than the 9800Pro, and offers SM3 compatibility. Buying a 9800Pro now doesn't make sense.
Besides that, the more I play Far Cry, the more I like it. Getting that thrown in on a $289 6800NU at newegg makes all ATI cards except the X800s obsolete and bad buys IMO.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Rollo

(Should I start a poll for 9800 pro or 6800NU?)

If I were building a new computer, the only card I would consider mentioned in this thread is the 6800NU. It is significantly faster than the 9800Pro, and offers SM3 compatibility. Buying a 9800Pro now doesn't make sense.
Besides that, the more I play Far Cry, the more I like it. Getting that thrown in on a $289 6800NU at newegg makes all ATI cards except the X800s obsolete and bad buys IMO.

Does your card have the VIVO option Rollo? Or is that a standard feature on all 6800's.

 

[oldfart]

Again, you need to elaborate what your video capture needs are.

VIVO cards offer a bare minimum functionality. If the budget allows, you'd be better off with a separate capture card and video card, or an AIW card. You can get a 9800P on sale for $179 (Best Buy) which is cheaper than that 9600 you linked to and a heck of a lot faster. Add a capture card and you are in good shape. You can also get a 9800P AIW on sale for $249 (Comp USA) if you want it all on one card.

The 6800 cards dont have VIVO AFAIK.

 

[railer]

Who wants to spend $300 on a friggin video card? Not me or most other sane people. They poor guy already came out and admitted that he was whipped....why bother suggesting unattainable cards? What you SHOULD do...is find a used/refurb 9700 non pro or pro for between $115 and $140, then get yourself a TV Wonder, Leadtek Winfast, or other TV/vid capture card for somewhere around $40. Together they're the same price as that 9600, but clobbers it in terms of flexibility and performance.

Oh, and in case anybody lips off about the 6800 being "x% faster" than the 9700 while only being "y % more money", let me tell you something. That's analagous to being in the mood for a couple of potato chips while your at the gas station for say 75 cents for a 2 oz bag, while the moron standing in line behind you shouts out that you can get a 10 pound bag of the same chips at Sam's Club for 8 dollars, and that's a much better deal because the cost per ounce is lower. This guy doesn't even really need a 9700, so any amount spent beyond that is wasted. Both cards will be essentially worthless in a few years, so why waste the money now, on something that's not necessary now, and never will be necessary and any point in the future, except as maybe a paper weight? /rantoff

 

[oldfart]

Good post. Yes, if you add in the used card equation, a 9700P is a good option as well.

The $289 6800 isn't even more chips per once when compared to a $179 9800P. Its just a bigger bag.

 

[McArra]

9800pro is your card!

 

[Paratus]

As I'm just starting to think about video capture with this new machine at first I'll probably be capturing select tv shows as I've got a direct TV tuner in my office and converting them to watch on my PDA when I have time.

I also have a number of vhs-c home movies I want to convert to DVDs.

The reason the asus 9600xt card looked good was the inclusion of digital vcr software and basic DVD editting software.

I know my best bang for the buck right now would be a 9800pro or even 6800nu and a separate capture card but those will cost at least $50 more. Money I could put towards getting a 3.0C over a 2.8C or even a 3.2C over the 3.0C. Plus if I find that I'm not using the features I do have then I won't have wasted the money on a better solution. If I find I'm really enjoying video editting and/or gaming then I can always upgrade to a seprate capture card and/or better vid card.

I appreciate all the options you guy have thrown out. It's made me think hard about my intended usage and upgrade options. I'm still thinking the 9600XT will be my best bet as a starter card. With the option to upgrade later if I exceed its capabilities.

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: railer
Who wants to spend $300 on a friggin video card? Not me or most other sane people. They poor guy already came out and admitted that he was whipped....why bother suggesting unattainable cards? What you SHOULD do...is find a used/refurb 9700 non pro or pro for between $115 and $140, then get yourself a TV Wonder, Leadtek Winfast, or other TV/vid capture card for somewhere around $40. Together they're the same price as that 9600, but clobbers it in terms of flexibility and performance.

Oh, and in case anybody lips off about the 6800 being "x% faster" than the 9700 while only being "y % more money", let me tell you something. That's analagous to being in the mood for a couple of potato chips while your at the gas station for say 75 cents for a 2 oz bag, while the moron standing in line behind you shouts out that you can get a 10 pound bag of the same chips at Sam's Club for 8 dollars, and that's a much better deal because the cost per ounce is lower. This guy doesn't even really need a 9700, so any amount spent beyond that is wasted. Both cards will be essentially worthless in a few years, so why waste the money now, on something that's not necessary now, and never will be necessary and any point in the future, except as maybe a paper weight? /rantoff

Thats an idea and meets the price requirements, but I really wanted to get a new card with a warranty as this is my first real build.

Plus while money is an issue right now, it will be less of an issue around christmas so upgrading if required will be easier. (Just bought a Suburban and some furniture for the house. Now my desktop is crapping out which is why I'm starting a new build)

 

[Regs]

The 9800pro is a very good card for the price tag and will perform a lot better with HL2 and D3 would for 10 dollars more compared with the 9600xt. The 6800NU is well, 100 dollars more even though you get what you pay for.

 

[jarettanandtech]

would a 6800nu run doom 3 pretty good

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: jarettanandtech
would a 6800nu run doom 3 pretty good

According to Tom's benchmarks from last year, very good. Did the engine chance from a year ago? Yes. But how much, don't know. Even so, it should run it perfectly fine even with mid-high settings.

 

[nRollo]

I think you guys are giving the OP false hopes here with the 9800Pro and Doom3 /HL2.

A 9800Pro is not going to be the card to run these games well, and a man who drives a Suburban can come up with $100 extra bucks to have a card that isn't totally outdated the year he buys it? It costs him $50 to fill his car with gas, $100 more or less on a video card doesn't matter to him. (no matter what he says- I can see it now- "Oh Crystal, I spent $300 instead of $200 on the new video card, would you mind if we invested $2900 this month instead of the usual $3000?")

People who money is really "tight" for don't drive $40K+ cars?

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chevrolet/suburban/index.html?tid=edmunds.n.typemindex.makemodelsearch..0.Chevrolet*

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well if you dont want to go next gen then the 5900xt is awesome. Look for the MSI 5900XT-VTD128. I got it and it uses 2.8 ns memory but i have somehow attained 450 850 in an OC. Also it includes WinDVD Creator, and it has VIVO. Its everything you're looking for. That card will run Doom III pretty decently i would assume. But i would venture to think that the 9800Pro would wipe the floor with it in HL2.

-Kevin

 

[Tab]

Do you folks think a 9600XT OC to 530/650 could run both games at at least 1024X768 and 30fps and maybe some AA and AF?

Half-Life 2? Without AA and AF. It would not run doom. I wouldn't even consider anything less than a X800 or a 6800 for a new rig if you want to play these games.