Need a good/great gaming card

[JCROCCO]

My sons are getting into the gaming thing with high 3D graphics. Had problems with the video card (see previous post) and would like recommendations for it. They play Command and Conquere Red Alert 2, and other military realistic games of which I cant remember the names. Would like something that wont freeze up, like my geforce2-400 64 does on RA2

thanks

 

[KillaKilla]

What are the other sys specs? IE: RAM, CPU, FSB, AGP4x or 8x?

EDIT: I assume they'll want to play C&C: Generals? and maybe other, newer, more graphics intensive games? Remember, there's no point in saving $30 now only to realize that that GF-4MX doesn't run those well...

 

[modedepe]

A gf2 is fine for running ra2. It requires practially no gpu power. Upgrading to a new card just to play it would be a waste.

 

[JCROCCO]

sorry,

P4 1.8 256L2 cache 256meg ram(soon to be 512ddr PC2100) 40gig hd 7200 rpm, 533 fsb, agp 4x

(also dont understand why FSB is 533, yet memory can only go up to 333. I now have 266 in there it)

 

[modedepe]

You sure your fsb is 533mhz? On a stock p4 1.8 it runs 400mhz.

 

[JCROCCO]

your correct, the boards capable of 533, thought it was. Now that you mentioned it, remember it at 400.

For my info, to get 533, to I need to go to 2.4 gig?

 

[VIAN]

Here, this is from the RealTime Engine. This chip is the best price performance around the cheapest 533s.

Command and conquer: Generals require very powerful CPU and High memory, so I think your pretty good.

For the video card, you should probably get a 9600 XT.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Here, this is from the RealTime Engine. This chip is the best price performance around the cheapest 533s.

Command and conquer: Generals require very powerful CPU and High memory, so I think your pretty good.

For the video card, you should probably get a 9600 XT.

the 9600xt is a bad choice

get a 5900 non ultra for the same price with better performance

 

[niggles]

Hmmm... here in Canada the 9600 is half the price to a third of the 5900... you guys are getting ripped off if they're the same price in the U.S.

Having said that I'd go with either the 9600 Pro or the 9600 XT... both are good cards and the difference isn't that great.

Until the new Nvidia cards are launched I'd stick with ATI for now... still, Nvidia has many more years of good cards to come an I for one look forward to what they'll release next.... until then go with the 9600 flavour of your choice.

 

[VIAN]

I'd still choose the 9600 XT over the 5900 because - it is known that ATI excels in DX over nVidia. What is not known is by how much since each website has a different story. Command and Conquer is a DX game.