Need Help Buying a Video Card

[Xzar]

I have been thinking about getting an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro. I saw a good price on a website and I will only be using it for games. I had some questions.

1. What are the differences between the 128mb version and 256mb version. Which do you recommend?

2. What the does getting the Retail version add?

3. I heard Nvidia is coming out with a new card soon. Will this lower the price of the 9600 even further? Is so, how long should I wait before buying?

4. Should I get an extra fan or heatsink?

 

[egale]

There is nothing really out there right now that will take advantage of 256mb memory so you can save a bit by only getting 128mb. Sometimes retail versions use faster memory than their oem counterpart and so the retail versions will be a little faster. You will have to check to see what you are buying. The retail version also usually comes with some software. There is always another card coming out soon so whatever you buy will be outdated in a matter of months. Buy what you can afford now and realize you will have to upgrade again and again.

It is like buying a card with 256mb now. You are not really future proofing because when there is finally software that will take advantage of the 256mb on the card you buy today, your card will be way outdated and you will be thinking about upgrading already.

If you remove the heatsink or fan on the card you buy to add an aftermarket one, you may get better cooling but you also void your warranty.

 

[txxxx]

1. 256MB Memory, which you'll most likely not utilise fully, its more of a marketing trick, so 128 would be better.

2. Retail adds a few items such as games, but a lot of the time, I personally find items CD's in the box not so great. Best check out details.

3. New Nvidia card? 5700U? Possibly, but im not too aware on release dates.

4. Extra fan or heatsink? No, unless your bored and wanna see how far you can overclock it

Welcome to AT , dont let the idiots put you off too much

txxxx

 

[SkaarjMaster]

One thing I will mention about getting the 256MB version is if you don't upgrade very often and are willing to not care about your card not taking advantage of 256MB until later on, then go for it! Besides, when UT2004 and Doom3 come out, they or user custom maps made for them will take advantage of this extra RAM. Also, it's possible that the DM-2019 user custom map for UT2003 will run better now with a video card that has more RAM.

 

[tenoc]

Have a close look at any 256 mb version. Most seem to come with seriously slow RAM.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I guess that's something I need to check out in about 4 months when I order the Radeon 9800Pro 256MB for my computer. I'll probably have to get a name brand as I think the ATI-OEM version may have the slow RAM. I'm looking at the Sapphire. Any way to check this out before ordering?

 

[tenoc]

Was referring to the 9600 and lower series for the slow 256 mb problem.

afaik, the 9800 Pros aren't afflicted with this blight.

 

[BudAshes]

Yeah the 256 versions give you slow ass ram,and dont by powercolor or gigacube cause they give you crappy lite versions. I think saphire sells the cheapest full speat 9600 pro. This appears to be the cheapest one on pricewatch, and ive found gameve.com to be pretty good.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Thanks tenoc, that clears things up!

 

[UCSDHappyAsian]

about the 256 MB, someone says it may come with slower memory, i agree with it.
i heard its not really related to the memory itself...

 

[mchammer187]

i suggest stepping it up to a 9700 np unless you really want the HL2 coupon the 9700 is a significate step up for a small premium

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
i suggest stepping it up to a 9700 np unless you really want the HL2 coupon the 9700 is a significate step up for a small premium

I concur....