Nvidia FX Series Comparison

[Protoss]

Hey, I am currently running a GeForce MX440 128MB, and its fan is starting to go. So because I made his site, my dad is going to buy me a new Graphics Card. I am focusing on the Nvidia FX series, because I just like Nvidia and my friend is getting good preformance out of his 5200. Can someone point me to a good card? If possible, I'd like it to be a 256MB, just in case. My dad is willing to spend $120 MAX.



Thnx, Protoss

 

[Acanthus]

No card in that price range can use more than 128MB of memory. (as in it cant run resolutions high enough to warrent a need for more than 128MB, and texture packs that high would be single digit fps)

Under $120?

Ti4200.

 

[Rage187]

buy a used 5900nu


DO NOT buy a 5200, that card licks the ball sweat of the 4200.

If worse comes to worse, get a 5700.

 

[Protoss]

Anyone got a card to sell? And why do you say when 'worst comes to worst'? I was thought the 5700 was a toned down 5900?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Your MX doesn't need a fan, but since pop will buy you a new toy I'd sell the MX and add it to the $120 and try to find a used 9700p or 9700. Ah nV lover eh? then look for 5900 series card or settle for a 5600U flip chip 5700series in the $150 range.

 

[Acanthus]

A 5900 under $120 is a HUGE reach, a 5700 is a 128bit card, and barely outpaces a Ti4200, and again the 5700U is again a reach to get under $120.

I see a Ti4200 128MB in your future

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
A 5900 under $120 is a HUGE reach, a 5700 is a 128bit card, and barely outpaces a Ti4200, and again the 5700U is again a reach to get under $120.

I see a Ti4200 128MB in your future

I was adding the proceeds from the MX to the kitty. But the whole FX line is a waste to me now so I bow to your superior knowledge of which sux least

 

[Acanthus]

Maybe for $160ish you could find a used 5900XT/SE/NU

But then hed have to go without for a while, and find a buyer.

 

[Protoss]

Anyone got this card
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=AA26380 ??
Its' got some good reviews, and it even matches with my SuperLanBoy!

 

[Acanthus]

Thats a good price on the card... but i would really really really reccomend you see if you can get a 256bit card before you jump on a 5700.

 

[Protoss]

256bit...arent those the new GeForce 6's? I am not willing to fork out $300+ for a graphics card.
Just found this on the specs...256-bit graphics architecture. Is that what you mean?

 

[Corporate Thug]

at the $120 pricepoint, a used 9700 pro is the most reasonable card

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: Protoss
Anyone got a card to sell? And why do you say when 'worst comes to worst'? I was thought the 5700 was a toned down 5900?

They're completely different the cores are different and they use completely different memory too.

I have a 5900XT that I bought new soon after they came out. It was not bad, I was happy with the performance boost over my GeForce4 Ti 4200. I paid around $180 or so for it.

Then I went looking for a card for my secondary computer (which was using a 32MB GeForce 2, it needed something better). I was looking to spend no more than $100. I ended up on eBay, and got a Radeon 9700. Price was $103 after shipping.

Decided to try it out in my primary computer just to see how it was. Not only did the card overclock REALLY well (over 9700 Pro speeds on both core and memory) it beat the CRAP out of my GeForce card, and not by a small margin. We're talking able to run at 1280x960 what my 5900XT could do at 1024x768 at the same frame rates or FASTER. Needless to say, it has become my main card and my 5900XT has been relegated to secondary machine duties.

Now you don't find something like that on eBay everyday, but it can be done, I've done it. 9700 Pros go for ~$125 range, and they are better than pretty much anything in the GeForce FX lineup under $200, arguably better than anything in the FX lineup at any price.

Do not limit yourself to nVidia at that price point, you'll end up with so much less than you could if you went with an ATi card. I speak from experience.

 

[Protoss]

Ok I found someone with a 5700 Ultra for $130, its 128mb ram though. Should I get this guys card? Or wait and shop around?

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: Protoss
Ok I found someone with a 5700 Ultra for $130, its 128mb ram though. Should I get this guys card? Or wait and shop around?

A 5700u is a good card esp for $130. If its used though, its not that great of a price, just an ok price. If you need nvidia, look for a used 5900xt. Those you may be able to find around the same price point. But if worse comes to worse, the 5700u isnt a bad card at all.

 

[Protoss]

Well is the 5900XT better than say the 5900 Ultra? Can someone clue me in on the letter prefixes? All I know about is LE=Sux
I have also found about 5 FS topics right here with 5900s...I just need someone to help me!!

 

[MustISO]

XT is not better than the Ultra for the Geforce FX cards however, I believe XT is a good thing in the ATi cards.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: Marsumane

Originally posted by: Protoss
Ok I found someone with a 5700 Ultra for $130, its 128mb ram though. Should I get this guys card? Or wait and shop around?

A 5700u is a good card esp for $130. If its used though, its not that great of a price, just an ok price. If you need nvidia, look for a used 5900xt. Those you may be able to find around the same price point. But if worse comes to worse, the 5700u isnt a bad card at all.

Check out chumbo.com sometime, they had the BFG 5700u's for $130 new. It's a pretty good deal for a pretty good card

-Oh yea, and more RAM, really won't make a difference, the 128MB of GDDR3 is fine.

 

[Pete]

A 5900XT is better thana 5700U. A 5700U for $130 is a pretty good price, but a used 9700P would be far faster for the same money.

You could probably get away with using that GF4MX without a fan. Try just disconnecting the fan power wire from the video card. I removed the fan from my Radeon 9100 after the second replacement began to whine, and things are fine so far.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Protoss
256bit...arent those the new GeForce 6's? I am not willing to fork out $300+ for a graphics card.
Just found this on the specs...256-bit graphics architecture. Is that what you mean?

256bit memory is what im implying id reccomend

Cards that have 256 bit memory from NVIDIA: (slowest to fastest)

5900XT/SE/ or reg 5900
5900 Ultra
5950 Ultra
6800
6800 GT
6800 Ultra
6800 Ultra Extreme

The specific card you should look for at your price point would be the 5900XT/SE/ or reg 5900 used, it STOMPS on all of the 128 bit cards below it (the 5700u isnt even close).

 

[Protoss]

I found a 5900 Ultra 256MB MSI nBox...which judging by reviews, is highly rare, and super o/c'able. Is this card worth the $320 the guy is wanting for it? I've only got about $160 right now, but if it is an awesome card, I could maybe find some way to get the extra $160. It also comes with 3 games, and a optical mouse. Anyone heard about this card? Own it? Is it good?


Thnx, Protoss

 

[nitromullet]

I found a 5900 Ultra 256MB MSI nBox...which judging by reviews, is highly rare, and super o/c'able. Is this card worth the $320 the guy is wanting for it? I've only got about $160 right now, but if it is an awesome card, I could maybe find some way to get the extra $160. It also comes with 3 games, and a optical mouse. Anyone heard about this card? Own it? Is it good?


Thnx, Protoss

For ~$300, get a vanilla GeForce 6800. Way better than that 5900 Ultra, and cheaper too.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2113&p=1

...shows a comparison between GeForce 6800 and FX 5950 Ultra (which is a bit faster than the FX 5900 Ultra).

Gainward 6800NU for $300 - shipped

 

[BFG10K]

I'd suggest that you avoid the NV3x line and get a 6800 vanilla instead.