Video Card recommendation, search already done.

[Fatt]

Sorry guys, I tried to do a search on this subject and the info I got wasn't as helpful as I had hoped it would be.


I'm looking to a video card recommendation.

* Looking for a real high end card.
* Money isn't really an issue.
* Not planning to overclock.
* Stability and lack of "problems" is a major issue.
* More than one head is strongly desired. More than two is probably overkill, but not a deal-breaker.


So I'm looking for suggestions and also the reason WHY for any suggestions. Thanx.

 

[TheWart]

Unless you want to play the waiting game (for the R350 due out around March), then I would go with the All-In-Wonder Radeon 9700 Pro. I believe the AIW version has Dual-head, as the normal 9700 Pro does not. I have the non-AIW, and it is ridiculously fast, although I would reccomend at least ~2ghz, if not higher, chip to go with the card.

 

[Megatomic]

The MSI G4Ti4600-VT2D8X gets my vote. I would so love one.

Why? It is powerful, it comes with a great bundle, GF4 cards are stable, and it sure is pretty.

 

[Fatt]

R350?

 

[sash1]

Originally posted by: Fatt
R350?

Next generation Radeon cards--the 9500/9700 is the R300. It's a codename for the core basically.

 

[DClark]

The All-in-Wonder Radeon 9700 Pro doesn't have dual display capabilities (with the TV input, the S-video in, S-video out, and DVI connection, there isn't enough room on the back plate for a second VGA or DVI connection). Currently the standard Radeon 9700 Pro would be the best of the best. It has a VGA port, a DVI port (plus a DVI to VGA dongle if the second monitor is analog), and an S-video out.

Like the NV20 is the core in the GeForce3 series and the NV25 is the core for the GeForce4 series, ATi's R200 is the core for the Radeon 8500/8500LE and the R300 is the core for the Radeon 9500 through 9700 Pro. The R350 will offer speed and functionality advances over the R300. It should be made public in mid March during CeBit (which runs from March 12th to 19th) and the fastest version of the R350 should appear on store shelves sometime in April.

 

[jhites]

Radeon 9700 Pro 128Mb

I have the All in Wonder Radeon 9700 Pro 128Mb
No Dual monitor support.
It does have composite video output for TV
3DMark2001 SE = 16336

Outstanding Card

 

[dfish]

You've not stated what you want to do with it, or how long it must last. Having watched quite carefully for 6 months or so, I'me fairly still torn. The decision tree is this:

If debugged, stable and proven are #1 then Nvidia.
That will create screams from at least some ATI folks, but in truth the Gforce family of code has years of evolution and developement behind it. It simply is more stable and those do IT for a living and etc... know the value of mature product sets.

That said, as a mature product, it's also closer to End of Life, so expect it to have limited life expectancy.

If value equals viable for future games and etc... then directX 9 and the like should be considerd a plus. In no way does anybody that values stability want to get into new GPU cores, so the R350/9800 and/or the Nvidia FX are out of the picture. They call it bleeding edge for a reason. So that means the most mature card that one can take into the future (whenever that is) is the Radeon 9700.

Of course, if money doesn't matter, and stability and power you can use today do, then I'd grab an Nvidia 4800 or etc... and simply trash it for whatever when the day came that a directX9 app appeared, was only viable under it, was stable and you had to have it.

Finally, consider what MB its gonna run under. I see, as an example a number of video problems surfacing on the 7205/Granite Bay chipset with the 9700's. Most have work around's, but precious few think the problem is solved.

Actually, I see your decision as pretty easy. If you don't have to worry about the cash, get the nvidia and replace when (likely at least a year) it's time. I, on the other hand, have to own a card that will last for 3 years and is fairly effective today. Try deciding that one. Lets see, 9700 NP, or a 4800. One is stable as heck but likely won't go three years, and one must might give me fits, and then might not. Hassle vs. future proof vs. money. Arghhh!

Luck to you.

 

[Fatt]

You've not stated what you want to do with it, or how long it must last.
Gee, I thought I had done so, but then again, I already knew what I was talking about so I may not be objective.


If debugged, stable and proven are #1 then Nvidia.
Yeah, this was one of the things that I definitely mentioned That's a BIG issue.
I have some frineds who are coming into a bunch of money in the near future and they want me to build some toys for them. So I want any parts I buy to be as reliable as a swiss watch.



Of course, if money doesn't matter, and stability and power you can use today do, then I'd grab an Nvidia 4800 or etc... and simply trash it for whatever when the day came that a directX9 app appeared, was only viable under it, was stable and you had to have it.
No, once I button this thing up I don't want to ever have to open it again. Frankly, if I was building one for me I'd just but a Matrox 450 or something and be done with it. MY pride of craftsmanship comes from building things that just work, and you never have to think about it.




Finally, consider what MB its gonna run under. I see, as an example a number of video problems surfacing on the 7205/Granite Bay chipset with the 9700's. Most have work around's, but precious few think the problem is solved.
An Asus or Intel with Socket478 most likely. RDRAM if I can help it.



Actually, I see your decision as pretty easy. If you don't have to worry about the cash, get the nvidia and replace when (likely at least a year) it's time. I, on the other hand, have to own a card that will last for 3 years and is fairly effective today. Try deciding that one. Lets see, 9700 NP, or a 4800. One is stable as heck but likely won't go three years, and one must might give me fits, and then might not. Hassle vs. future proof vs. money. Arghhh!
Yeah, it can be frustrating.
My decision is, in a way, fairly simple.
I want to get the highest performance STABLE & RELIABLE card available and never touch it again.

It sounds like an Nvidia Card is the way to go, but you seem torn.
Based on what I have said in this post, would you then have a final answer?

 

[BoomAM]

My vote goes to either:-
A R350 if you are willing to wait a bit.
A 9700PRO is if you want to buy now.

The difference between nVidia top card at the moment, and a 9700PRO, is pretty big.

 

[ProviaFan]

Of course Nvidia probably still has a small advantage in driver quality over ATI, but if you want to do lots of 2D work with an analog connection and need good quality, Nvidia is pretty much out. Try an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro if you also need excellent 3D performance, or a Matrox Parhelia if 3D performance isn't quite as important but you need dual-DVI and the possibility for 3 analog monitors. Also, an ATI FireGL X1 has dual DVI (can be adapted for dual analog if you need, like most other DVI outputs) and works better with high end 3D rendering stuff.

 

[dfish]

Yeah, you've made the decision. A dead stable high performance card with some nice toys. = Asus 9280S.

And the RDRam aint' a bad call either, but make sure you get something that supports USB 2.0, Personally, if I was in your shoes for a Mobo I'd get the Asus p4b533 (DDR, but still very well respected) or I'd get an intel board.


luck.

dan

 

[nick1985]

nvidia has never given me any sort of driver problems, hope this litte tid-bit helps!

 

[Fatt]

Yeah, I think I got a handle on it.

Thank y'all for helpin'

 

[blindtothagame]

i just got the HERCULES 9700PRO wow talk about a nice lookin card
i just to own a few geforce ultra's video card and believe me these cards run alot cooler than
the nvidia...
n it looks pretty...
i'll b alot happier when i get it set up n runnin my games.......

 

[Rio Rebel]

There's not a single solution to this. The Radeon 9700 PRO is the clear leader right now, and it should hold its value the longest, especially since it DirectX 9 compliant. The Geforce 4 4600 (4800?) makes sense from a reliabilty and compatibility perspective, but it is a clear step behind the Radeon 9700 PRO in performance. And while it is more stable, it's not *completely* stable. The ugly fact is that 3D gaming is not hassle-free right now, no matter which direction you go.

Here's my thought on it:

Since you're building it for friends, that means they probably aren't the type to build their own system. Also, stability and lack of problems is a big concern, so I take it they won't be installing the latest driver every 3 weeks, or trying to "tweak" their card. So therefore, I think it's highly unlikely that they'll ever be turning on Anti-aliasing or Ansiotropic filtering. That's the real show-stopper for ATI Radeon 9700 PRO's - their ability to shine with the eye candy on, without losing significant performance. Take away that, and you aren't head and shoulders above the Geforce 4 4600 anymore.

Therefore, based on the extremely likely situation that these guys want great performance but won't be going "under the hood", and based on the fact that you want the most stable of the high end cards, I'd go with the Geforce 4 4600.

 

[fluxquantum]

Originally posted by: SeekingTao
The MSI G4Ti4600-VT2D8X gets my vote. I would so love one.

Why? It is powerful, it comes with a great bundle, GF4 cards are stable, and it sure is pretty.

that is one sweet card!!