need a suggestion for new video card

[kevinf2090]

i just got a 204bw 20in monitor and i am looking for a video card under $300 that can play games in 1680x1050 resolution smoothly. thank you

 

[deadken]

AGP? PCI-e? What CPU? Win XP? How much Ram? What games? What software?

 

[kevinf2090]

my os is windows xp pro, athlon 64 3000+, i have pci-e. i mostly play need for speed, the sims, counterstrike: source, and half life 2. there could be other games in the future though

 

[deadken]

If I were you, I would cut the budget in half and put the rest on the side. I think that a $150 card would serve all those games and more rather well and give you a leg up for your next upgrade (whether it be Vista and or a DX10 card).

I'd think a X1800 would be less then $200 used and way overkill for what you need.

You might want to check this out for $165 shipped after $20 MIR 7900GS.

 

[kevinf2090]

i was also thinking about getting the 7950 gt but don't know if i should wait until dx10 cardds get cheaper

 

[happy medium]

x1950xt is the fastest card under 300.00$

 

[kevinf2090]

how does the x1950xt compared to the 7950gt though, just wondering. not saying that the ati is bad

 

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: kevinf2090
how does the x1950xt compared to the 7950gt though, just wondering. not saying that the ati is bad

it'll be faster than the 7950gt by around 10-30%, depending upon what games you're playing

 

[Kango2020]

I agree with deadken. Go for the 7900GS and save your money for a couple of months. Adding a few $$$ hear and their. Then when you see how the DX10 market is moving, spend your money more wisely. But, if you can't wait, get a BFG 7900GT OC for about $250. I have this card in SLI and I can't speak too highly of the setup. Or, the best choice would be to go with EVGA and use the trade up program in 90 days or less. That would be hard to beat (as long as DX 10 can develop in 90 days or less).

GL

 

[kevinf2090]

after this purchase, i will not be able to upgrade for a while, so do you guys think i should just wait for cheap dx10 cards to come out, like the midrange ones

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: kevinf2090
after this purchase, i will not be able to upgrade for a while, so do you guys think i should just wait for cheap dx10 cards to come out, like the midrange ones

When it comes to video cards I definately suggest that if you can wait, you should. The product turnover on Video Cards is nuts. With new cards/features/developements happening almost constantly a top end card usually takes a big hit in price within a few months.

Honestly, the games you are playing do not require a top end card to play. That $300 you will spend now will be worth less and outperformed by a similarly priced card in just 3-4 months. Do what you want, but if you aren't playing something that needs a top end card right now, If I were you, I wouldn't buy a top end card right now. I'd get the 7900GS I linked for $165 and I would be happy for the next 6-10 months. In that time, I would put the $135 I had saved along with whatever I could sell the 7900GS for towards a better card.

Like someone in another recent thread had mentioned, don't think that the first generation DX10 cards will be able to play games that are designed for DX10 cards. Think about trying to play BF2 on a 9500Pro. It can be done, but it certainly wouldn't be a good match. Even if you had a top end DX9 card like the 9700Pro (the 9500 and 9700 were released around the same time) it isn't really a great card for a DX9 game.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Hold out til spring, and you maybe in luck with getting a 8600GT (well hopefully this card will be released by then) or a cheap 8800GTS due to the price fall.

 

[cdalgard]

I would go with X1950 Pro for under $200 at the BB this weekend

 

[Ranulf]

So will the x1950 Pro (seems a good deal at BB for only 199 for ATi brand) be able to handle 1680x1050 (20'' widescreen lcd eventually), I figure it will handle 1280x1024 ok which is my current res. I want something that can run NWN2, Company of Heroes, WoW and a couple of new games coming out this next year at both screen resolutions.


Also, anyone offhand know how loud the fans are on those 1950s or on a 7900gs card?

TIA

FYI, the card will go into a c2d 6400 or 6600 system.

 

[tuteja1986]

Battlefield 2 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 80.1
$250 7900GTO : 77.3
$200 X1950PRO : 64.2
$250 7900GT : 59.7

Halflife 2 Lost Coast 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 57.2
$250 7900GTO : 51.9
$200 X1950PRO : 43.5
$250 7900GT : 40.9

Fear 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 47
$250 7900GTO : 41
$200 X1950PRO : 35
$250 7900GT : 34

Quake 4 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 55.1
$250 7900GTO : 55.5
$200 X1950PRO : 40.1
$250 7900GT : 45.4

Call of Duty 2 1600x1200 4xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 40.5
$250 7900GTO : 34.9
$200 X1950PRO : 32
$250 7900GT : 30.7

Farcry HDR 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 54.1
$250 7900GTO : 50
$200 X1950PRO : 44.1
$250 7900GT : 39.5


Oblivion HDR Mountain Area 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 39.1
$250 7900GTO : 32.5
$200 X1950PRO : 31.3
$250 7900GT : 24.1

Oblivion HDR Foliage Area 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$250 X1900XT 256MB : 26.8
$250 7900GTO : 16.9
$200 X1950PRO : 21.3
$250 7900GT : 12

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_radeon_x1950_pro/


X1900XT = 256MB , 625Mhz , 1450Mhz , 16(48 Pixel shader processor)
X1950XT = 256MB , 625Mhz , 1800Mhz , 16(48 Pixel shader processor)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

In conclusion the X1900XT 256MB beats all and X1950XT beats up X1900XT. Winner is X1950XT
I just keep on posting the same message ;(

 

[Ranulf]

Hmm, ok might be worth it to go for a 1900xt. Any idea how loud those fans are? I like the xfx 7950 because its fanless.

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: Ranulf
Hmm, ok might be worth it to go for a 1900xt. Any idea how loud those fans are? I like the xfx 7950 because its fanless.

Direct quote from the firing squad article linked above...

"ATI?s Radeon X1950 Pro is quieter than the GeForce 7600 GT/7900 GS from NVIDIA. In fact it runs nearly as silent as the cooler on the GeForce 7900 GTX we?ve grown to love so much."

also...

"the Radeon X1950 Pro operates much cooler than previous mainstream offerings such as the X1900 GT (our reference X1950 Pro card ran 12 degrees cooler than the X1900 GT at idle!)"

So it seems the newly designed cooler is doing the job quite nicely.