Reccomend me a Video Card?

Revolution09

Senior member
Mar 12, 2006
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With the holidays approaching, I'll be looking to buy a new video card... I do all kinds of computer graphics (3D, graphic design, web design) as well as a bit of gaming every once in a while (some Half Life 2, CS, Madden, NHL). I'm thinking of a budget somewhere around $300 CAN (about $260 US). Please make me some reccomendations! Thanks :)
 

Revolution09

Senior member
Mar 12, 2006
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Originally posted by: Kromis
Originally posted by: Piuc2020
X1950 256MB? Maybe a 7950GT?

Fixed

Thanks. Any more suggestions? And a quick question: I've seen some ATI "Workstation" cards- are these more for 2D applications? or how well would one of these work for 3D programs and games?
 

Kromis

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: Revolution09
Originally posted by: Kromis
Originally posted by: Piuc2020
X1950 256MB? Maybe a 7950GT?

Fixed

Thanks. Any more suggestions? And a quick question: I've seen some ATI "Workstation" cards- are these more for 2D applications? or how well would one of these work for 3D programs and games?

They are for rendering stuff with like Maya, XSI, etc. Normally, you regular card can handle the workloads but sometimes...its not enough (I think). So unless you work with rendering stuff, don't buy one.

Also, they do pretty decent in games, just not anything intensive.
 

Revolution09

Senior member
Mar 12, 2006
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Originally posted by: Kromis
Originally posted by: Revolution09
Originally posted by: Kromis
Originally posted by: Piuc2020
X1950 256MB? Maybe a 7950GT?

Fixed

Thanks. Any more suggestions? And a quick question: I've seen some ATI "Workstation" cards- are these more for 2D applications? or how well would one of these work for 3D programs and games?

They are for rendering stuff with like Maya, XSI, etc. Normally, you regular card can handle the workloads but sometimes...its not enough (I think). So unless you work with rendering stuff, don't buy one.

Also, they do pretty decent in games, just not anything intensive.

Ok, Thanks. I really like the looks of the 7950GT... which of these is better? I'm thinking the first one...
http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=187323
http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=271577
 

Machine350

Senior member
Oct 8, 2004
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The BFG is slightly cheaper, comes overclocked from the factory, and carries a lifetime warranty. hmmmmmmm???????
 

Kromis

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
5,214
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Originally posted by: Revolution09
Originally posted by: Kromis
Ugh...PNY...

(shudders)

lol... PNY not a good choice at all?

PNY isn't very appealing, that's all. No good warranties or offers and they don't factory OC, not that that's problem.
 

trOver

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2006
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although pny isnt very appealing, i still shudder when i hear bfg. get an asus or evga man
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
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Revolution... Do you still have that 15 inch viewsonic monitor with 1024x768 top resolution?

What resolutions do you play games at?

What kind of power supply do you have?

These are important things we need to know when helping you.
 

Machine350

Senior member
Oct 8, 2004
537
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Originally posted by: happy medium
Revolution... Do you still have that 15 inch viewsonic monitor with 1024x768 top resolution?

What resolutions do you play games at?

What kind of power supply do you have?

These are important things we need to know when helping you.

I agree, I think a little more info is needed. But in my opinion, I don't think there's going to be a huge difference in performance between the 7950gt and the x1950xt, they are both great cards that will perform relatively close to each other. True the x1950xt is a bit faster, but the 7950gt has more ram, which would help out at higher resolutions. It would come down to the resolution that you game at, hence, more info needed.
 

Revolution09

Senior member
Mar 12, 2006
520
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Originally posted by: Machine350
Originally posted by: happy medium
Revolution... Do you still have that 15 inch viewsonic monitor with 1024x768 top resolution?

What resolutions do you play games at?

What kind of power supply do you have?

These are important things we need to know when helping you.

I agree, I think a little more info is needed. But in my opinion, I don't think there's going to be a huge difference in performance between the 7950gt and the x1950xt, they are both great cards that will perform relatively close to each other. True the x1950xt is a bit faster, but the 7950gt has more ram, which would help out at higher resolutions. It would come down to the resolution that you game at, hence, more info needed.

Yes unfortunately I do still have this 15" Viewsonic :p However that's what I'm planning on upgrading as soon as possible after I get a video card. I've been looking at a 19" Samsung for a little while now, so I guess you could base your help off of that instead.

- Right now I play at either 800x600 or 1024x768, depending on what my integrated 6150 can handle... I'd definately be playing at the maximum the 19" Samsung + Vid card can handle though (when those both come along). The max. resolution for that monitor is 1280 x 1024.

- I started a thread in General Hardware about a power supply, and I came to the conclusion that I'll need to upgrade that at the same time I get the video card. I've decided on a 500w Enermax Liberty. Here's a link to the thread if you want it: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1962291&enterthread=y

So all in all, I'll probably be spending a good chunk of change this Christmas :p Thanks alot for everyone's help! It's really appreciated. :)

 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
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That's it, yes. The XT has more pipes than either the Pro or the GT (16/48 vs 12/36), and should be noticably faster.
 

Revolution09

Senior member
Mar 12, 2006
520
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0
Originally posted by: s44
That's it, yes. The XT has more pipes than either the Pro or the GT (16/48 vs 12/36), and should be noticably faster.

ok, Thanks. Probably my last question will be: earilier I mentioned I'm going to be buying a new power supply (Enermax Liberty) will the 400w model be enough? or will I need to go with the 500?