Should I buy a video card now or wait for the summer?

[GoingUp]

Here is the scoop. My GF3 Ti500 fan died on me, so I get to replace the card via an extended warranty that I bought on it. Should I just get a store credit for $200 or so that I will get from the warranty and wait until the summer?

I want a 9700 or 9800 but I dont like the noise of the 9700s.......

Would I be just better to wait and use an old video card until I can get a newer video card over the summer?

 

[KH85]

i had a GF3 Ti 200 (clocked to Ti500) and then i upgraded to a 9700 Non Pro (of course clocked to NEAR PRO speeds) and i have not really seen any increase in the noise of the GFX Card it is still the same old noise...

BTW i had a Sparkle GF3 Ti 200 if that helps

KHGamez

 

[KH85]

oops forgot to answer question

i would say it is up to you.

what was you looking to get in the summer? a 9700 will last you a long time

 

[GoingUp]

I was lookin at maybe the 9800 with the new ddr II memory...

Is there anyplace I can find good info on what cards should be coming out this summer?

 

[Rogozhin]

If you can get that $200 credit I would hold off and get either a 9800 256mb this summer or an nv35 if it lives up to the hype. Then you won't have to buy a video card for quite a while.

OR

You could go ahead and pick up a radeon 9700 non pro for $210 and clock it at pro speeds (what I am doing).


Ultimately it's up to you!


Rogo

 

[Rogozhin]

Noise on the 9700 is not bad at all. My 8500 and geforce 4s were all louder

rogo

 

[GoingUp]

dammit! its gonna be so hard to wait.... I hope this stuff gets launched on time......... aaarrgghh

 

[Rogozhin]

I just read the review of the 9600 pro with it overclocked and this might be an option since it would be under $200 and performs at nearly 9700pro levels when it's overclocked!

I think I'm going to pick one up just to see for myself! Bench it agains my 9700

rogo

 

[Subh2o]

use the 200 and get a 9500 PRO. You'll be golden for 18 months or so.

 

[Subh2o]

less physical pipelines than the 9800 and under the 9500Pro in performance, grap a 9500PRO if you feel the need for another card..

 

[eklass]

i don't mind the noise on my 9700 fyi

 

[GoingUp]

well tomorrow is the day of truth.... any more suggestions?

 

[Frodolives]

If you are in a position to wait, I would recommend it. Not because of any particular product, but just because of the general principle of how quickly new generations of goodies continues to come forth

 

[rickon66]

It appears that both ATI and Nvidia are really struggling to come out with new products that have any "real" performance gains. The 9800 is only about 10% faster than the 9700. They seem to be coming out with models like the Nvidia 5200 and the ATI 9600 just for the sake of having a different box to put on the shelf. There are already existing cards that are just as fast or faster at about the same price points. I think a non pro 9700 is the sweet spot now, most can be clocked up to pro speeds for a cost of a little over $200.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'd go for the 9700 non pro and clock it up a bit. I'd imagine clocking it up to pro levels should be no problem but don't use my words as I have never overclocked, hehe.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'm actually hoping that by the summer time when school is out (6 weeks, w007!), that the 9700 pro comes down to do 9700 non pro levels so I can get that. Otherwise, I'll just get the non pro and overclock it.

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs

I want a 9700 or 9800 but I dont like the noise of the 9700s.......

Noise is a big pet peeve of mine. I just went from a VisionTek Ti4600 to a Gigabyte 9700 Pro. The 4600 used the nV ref design fan which is the quietest I have ever owned. It made lees noise than my Radeon ViVo or VT GF3. Man did nV ever blow it big time with the ridiculous noise if the FX 5800! You couldn't give me one. 9700P's use the ATi ref design HS/F for the most part, but I've seen 7, 9, 11 and higher blade fans. Mine happens to be 11. Which one is quietest? Dont know.

Mine was too loud. The Gigabyte card has a high pitched whine to it. I was able to solve this by running the HS/F off a mobo header and using Speedfan to vary the speed of the GPU fan. I have it running at a lower RPM when in 2D mode. I have it set so when CPU temp rises as it will when playing a game, the RPM goes to full speed. I use the same program to control RPM of my case fans. Things are nice and quiet when I'm doing desktop stuff. When I'm playing a game, it gets a little louder, but who cares? Lots of sound coming from the speakers anyway to drown it out.

Cooling fans should not be a fixed RPM. The speed should vary based on load demands.

 

[kylebisme]

i say just wait for summer, and then by summer, there will be new stuff but even better stuff comeing around the corner so you should then wait for that, and then...




seriously, get a 9800, or a cheaper ati card if you want to save some cash.

 

[GoingUp]

Well I carted it back and got $250 in store credit... I wanted and needed a card right away and since the 9700 Pro AIW was on sale, I bought it!

Only $150 for a 9700 AIW when all was said and done!

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
Here is the scoop. My GF3 Ti500 fan died on me, so I get to replace the card via an extended warranty that I bought on it. Should I just get a store credit for $200 or so that I will get from the warranty and wait until the summer?

I want a 9700 or 9800 but I dont like the noise of the 9700s.......

Would I be just better to wait and use an old video card until I can get a newer video card over the summer?

noise of the 9700?

WTF!?!?

just don't buy a GFFX then geez

I cannot even hear the fan of my 9700Pro over my case fan(s)

 

[gururu]

9800 will probably be top of the line at least through the end of august. i would get the hercules 9800pro. it is reported to be superoverclockable and is the best looking card out there (with blue light and everything).

Hercules 9800pro review