recommend me a video card!

miasch

Junior Member
Sep 23, 2003
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just bought a new system barton 2500, abit nfs 7, 512mb crucial, and was thinking about a new video card, i don't need anything super duper, something that would run hl2 and doom3 decently i guess, been out of the vid card game no idea whats what anymore!
 

Pete

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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What's your budget? Current top overall choices are $150 9600P and $250 9800, IMO. Things may change in a month or two when ATi releases the 9600XT and 9800XT, and nV releases the 5700 and 5950.
 

modedepe

Diamond Member
May 11, 2003
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Is the 9600xt going to be the same as a 9800xt? That is, an overclocked 9600 pro?
 

nRollo

Banned
Jan 11, 2002
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So two votes for the 9600 Pro which barely runs todays games, and as usual, Pete makes sense.

Given what we currently know about DX9 and nVidia, the 9700/9800s are the only logical choices if the only criteria is HL2 and Doom3. 9600 Pros are feeble, crippled cards with poor performance in both of these games.

As Pete said, that will probably change by the time these games come out.
 

Johnbear007

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: Rollo
So two votes for the 9600 Pro which barely runs todays games, and as usual, Pete makes sense.

Given what we currently know about DX9 and nVidia, the 9700/9800s are the only logical choices if the only criteria is HL2 and Doom3. 9600 Pros are feeble, crippled cards with poor performance in both of these games.

As Pete said, that will probably change by the time these games come out.

Actually I think anad recommended the 9600 pro as the best value in HL2 performance. And carmack just commented that HL2 performance should be pretty indicative of most DX9 titles


However, I do think that for the performance you get that the 9600 is a bad price.

I would personally just wait. Even the 9800 only gets like 40fps and that is pretty retarded.

Newere software is really overpowering the hardware, and the hardware is too expensive

for 300$ I want 100FPS..... Personally id prefer to keep my 8500 and get 20fps then get a 9800 for 300$ and get 40


The best thing to do is WAIT. Todays cards are OVERKILL for todays games, but they are UNDERPOWERED for tomorrows. I think this is about the most stupid time to buy an expensive video card.
 
Apr 17, 2003
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Originally posted by: Rollo
So two votes for the 9600 Pro which barely runs todays games, and as usual, Pete makes sense.

Given what we currently know about DX9 and nVidia, the 9700/9800s are the only logical choices if the only criteria is HL2 and Doom3. 9600 Pros are feeble, crippled cards with poor performance in both of these games.

As Pete said, that will probably change by the time these games come out.

the 9600 pro in my bros rig run every game just fine
rolleye.gif
 

McArra

Diamond Member
May 21, 2003
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Originally posted by: shady06
Originally posted by: Rollo
So two votes for the 9600 Pro which barely runs todays games, and as usual, Pete makes sense.

Given what we currently know about DX9 and nVidia, the 9700/9800s are the only logical choices if the only criteria is HL2 and Doom3. 9600 Pros are feeble, crippled cards with poor performance in both of these games.

As Pete said, that will probably change by the time these games come out.

the 9600 pro in my bros rig run every game just fine
rolleye.gif

Yeah, the 9600Pro is a quite powerfull card and faster than 5900Ultra in DX9.
 

nRollo

Banned
Jan 11, 2002
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Yeah, the 9600Pro is a quite powerfull card and faster than 5900Ultra in DX9.
Of course there aren't any DX9 games out worth playing, and the 9600 Pro is a LOT slower at everything else. If you want to pretend budget cards are gaming powerhouses, have fun.

We'll see if the 9600 Pro is faster at HL2 when it comes out.
 

Massonite

Member
Feb 23, 2001
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If you can find a 9500 Pro, get it. It's the best card out right now that won't cost you an arm and a leg. It outperforms the 9600 Pro hands down, and is under $200. It's DX9 so it'll play Doom 3/HL2 nicely. Mind you, it's no 9800 Pro, but it'll still give you the best bang for your buck.
 

Johnbear007

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: Massonite
If you can find a 9500 Pro, get it. It's the best card out right now that won't cost you an arm and a leg. It outperforms the 9600 Pro hands down, and is under $200. It's DX9 so it'll play Doom 3/HL2 nicely. Mind you, it's no 9800 Pro, but it'll still give you the best bang for your buck.

That may be tru if you can find one for 140$ or less


but you cant
 

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
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There is no easy way to say it's just too expensive to stay on the bleeding edge is there?
People on these forums seem to upgrade their video card more than their games. (Aims that one at Counterstrike fan boys).

Here's your only choice, get a 9600 pro now so you won't feel so guilty upgrading again to a video card that can haul ass in DX9.
 

Pete

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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I don't know, Rollo--the 9600P seems to bench well at 10x7, even with some AA+AF. Any higher, though, and it seems you'll need a better card.
 

Darkvette

Junior Member
Sep 25, 2003
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I would have to agree with Rollo. The Radeon 9600 is underpowered. Your best bet would to be a Radeon 9800 Pro or 9700 Pro. Don't go with anything other than ATI. ATI is sitting on top of the video card market right now, and Nvidia can't touch them. Go ATI, Not Nvidia.
 

nRollo

Banned
Jan 11, 2002
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I don't know, Rollo--the 9600P seems to bench well at 10x7, even with some AA+AF. Any higher, though, and it seems you'll need a better card.
You know me Pete, I just hate when they cut the fillrate in half.

I guess for a nice system like his I'd have a hard time not spending an extra $40-$50 to get a 9700np and have the real gpu at least. (and the oppotunity to get 9700P performance should he be able to OC it)
 

Johnbear007

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: Rollo
I don't know, Rollo--the 9600P seems to bench well at 10x7, even with some AA+AF. Any higher, though, and it seems you'll need a better card.
You know me Pete, I just hate when they cut the fillrate in half.

I guess for a nice system like his I'd have a hard time not spending an extra $40-$50 to get a 9700np and have the real gpu at least. (and the oppotunity to get 9700P performance should he be able to OC it)

I have to concur with you on that point. It does seem a wast on that system to use a 9600

I would either go low end or highend, but the middle ground crap is just crap

So either save some money and get a 4200 or do it right and get a 9800 non pro