What to buy: Geforce256 DDR or Radeon DDR?

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PsychoCrazy

Senior member
Oct 13, 1999
385
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I was hoping some of you might give a little advice on the purchase of a new video card. I'm upgrading from a TNT2 (v770) and I have narrowed my choices to the ATI 32MB Radeon DDR for $133.00 or the Elsa Erazor X2 for ~$110.00.

I've spent several hours researching both of these cards, but I am having problems making up my mind. I have a Celery 633 running at 950, and I mainly play Q3, UT, and Need for Speed games. From what I have found, the Radeon only seems to get about 10 more FPS than the Geforce256 DDR in Q3 at 1024x768x32 (my resolution of preference). Would the Radeon really be worth the extra dough?

Thanks for any input.
 
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ChiefWiggum

Member
Oct 30, 2000
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:D

You can't go wrong with either card. I had a GeForce256 SDR and a GeForce2MX before my Radeon 32 DDR.

I'd opt for the Radeon; it has sharper 2D imaging (desktop), better DVD playback and better 3D performance at higher resolutions.

But one question: When you say GeForce256 DDR (ie. GeForce 1 DDR) or GeForce 2 DDR? Which is it? If it's the DDR GF1; then definitely the Radeon. If it's the GF2 DDR; then it's much closer.

But the GeForce is great card. I geuss it depends on whether you want to spend the extra doughage; and how much you are into gaming and performance.
 
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PsychoCrazy

Senior member
Oct 13, 1999
385
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76
Thanks Chief

Forgot to mention, the Elsa Erazor X2 is a Geforce 1 DDR. But at 1024x768x32 in Q3A, the Erazor does like 60fps and the Radeon does like 70fps according to the benchmarks I've seen. The Geforce 2 does like 10fps faster than the Radeon. Is the Radeon really that much better than the GF1?
 
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EvilDonnyboy

Banned
Jul 28, 2000
1,103
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like ChiefWiggum said. radeon gots mor features.

I wouldn't pay the extra $$ for 10fps, but i would for the better DVD playback, the better 2D quality, the better DX8 features.

I obviously vote for radeon.
 
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Santan

Senior member
Oct 23, 1999
572
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Personally...

I have had
Geforce DDR 32
Geforce 2 GTS
Radeon 32 DDR
Voodoo 5500...

Of the 4 - the card i like the most - that plays the best time and time again...
I can start every game you mention without having to shut down...play for long periods of time without lock ups...Has the best image quality of any...

SOrry - I know I am going to get flamed - but the voodoo 5500 hands down is the best card "FOR ME"

Sure its not the fastest - but its the most STABLE and BEST LOOKING card on the market...

IMHO...See if you can find a 5500

RIck
 
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ahfung

Golden Member
Oct 20, 1999
1,418
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Put the performance and price aside, they don't make much difference.

If you plan to use it on platform other than w9x, go GeForce. It is currently the best card under w2k and linux.

If you are more concerning about features, definitely get a Radeon. It supports more DX8 feature than GeForce.

Just my $2.
 
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ahfung

Golden Member
Oct 20, 1999
1,418
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Judging by PsychoCrazy's choices I think he is on budget so any cards cost more than $150 is out of his reach.:)
 
BFG10K

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
22,709
3,002
126
In all honesty I'd get the Radeon. It will likely be more stable in your system in terms of compatibility and drivers.
 
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PsychoCrazy

Senior member
Oct 13, 1999
385
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76
Thanks for everyone's input. Right now I'm leaning heavily towards the Radeon. It's less than $25.00 more than the Geforce. I do watch DVDs on my computer from time to time so better playback would be good (although I never noticed any problems with my current setup). I am on a budget, so about $140.00 is the max I want to spend.

Santan, since you have had both the Geforce DDR 32 and the Radeon DDR 32, which one of those two would you choose (I think VooDoo 5500 is out of my price range right now)?
 
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BW

Banned
Nov 28, 1999
254
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Im with santan. Ive also owned a g-force2 gts,a g-force2 mx,an Ati Radeon 32meg ddr and a voodoo 5500. I still have them all but the g-force2 gts. The 5500 is the best. The Radeon will give you the most trouble out of all them. I got tired of its slowness and also having to switch drivers all the time to play a game.First Rune played but the textures flashed in parts of the game so i switched drivers.Then Rune worked better but half-life looked all funky so i had to switch again. Thats not to mention how slow it plats Rune and need4speed porch unleashed.32 bit 1024x768 is jerky on my system. if i through in the 5500 it smokes the Radeon in need for speed and yes even in 32bit.The 5500 also plays Rune and half-life alot faster with far better visuals to. Alot of peaple that have the radeon like it and tell you to get it. Good for them. Get one if you want .You can always return it if you dont like it. I think alot of these guys recommend the card they have just couse its got to be the best couse they have it. And alot of others that dont even have the card recommend it couse they read how good it is from these guys.haha.Later
 
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Pete

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
4,953
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V5 is $177 at Buy.com. With a $30 coupon and free shipping, it comes out to $147. So it's not that far out of reach.
 
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Taz4158

Banned
Oct 16, 2000
4,501
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Radeon all the way. I've never had any issues with it. Seems like the only ones that do are those less than knowledgable 'puterwise.
 
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BW

Banned
Nov 28, 1999
254
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Whatever taz. Ive ben into pc's since my the 386 days. Ive got enough knowledge about them to get the dam thing to work.I just dont like always fuucking with the thing. Most peaple want somthing to work all the time not half the time. The drivers for the Radeon suck.Plain and simple. I see you own a radeon Thats not a surprise, as you recommend it as being the best. I was telling the guy that i own them all and for me the 5500 is the best for the money now.Then the g-force.
 
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DominoBoy

Member
Nov 3, 2000
122
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Whatever you do, don't listen to BW. You can tell from his immature comments and attitude he doesn't know what he is talking about and he is just looking for trouble.

Anyway, Radeon all the way. Easy decision. It's the best of the choices mentioned so far. Better performance, better image quality, better features, better directX-8 support, and rock solid Win98 drivers. The Win2000 drivers had some problems but most of those have been ironed out. But the Win98 drivers for Radeon are excellent, and always have been.

Get the Radeon. Absolutely positively no doubt about it. :)
 
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BW

Banned
Nov 28, 1999
254
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Shut up dominolittleboy. Im just tired of everybody telling peaple to get the card they have.Tell the truth man. Yes i do know what im talking about as i have all the cards mentioned. as for the price the 5500 is the best bet. If he cant get it then if were him i would go for the g-force.The g-force plays anything also.I cant say the same for the radeon.Im just talking from first hand experience.
 
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Compellor

Senior member
Oct 1, 2000
889
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BW:

Don't bother arguing with ATi Radeon lovers -- they're as bad as MAC addicts.:D

PsychoCrazy:

If you play FPS games, a GeForce 2 GTS would be the PRIME choice right now, in my opinion, but if the Radeon DDR is faster than the Elsa, go with it. In the long run, you won't be happy with either card. In other words, games 6 months to a year from now will play like crap on them, and you'll be wishing you went with a GeForce 2 GTS 64 MB or a Radeon 64 MB.
 
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gerbz

Member
Apr 20, 2000
106
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get the radeon.

but whatever card you get,
get regcleaner at:

http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/index.shtml

and clean out all the registry entries and .dll's that nvidea, 3dfx, and ati leave on your machine to make problems for any new card.

I've run all the games BW mentioned without a hitch on my radeon32ddr.
 
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PsychoCrazy

Senior member
Oct 13, 1999
385
0
76
Whoa guys. I didn't mean to start WWIII!!! I really appreciate everyone's input --- especially those of you who have had or have used all these video cards. Right now, it looks like the 5500 may not be out of the question. I could get one for under $150 according to this thread. I'm giving it serious thought. It seems to be slower in OpenGL, but not by much. It also seems to do very well with DirectX. I'll have to do a little more research. What do you guys think about the 2D quality of the VooDoo 5500? Man this is a tough decision, and I have to make up my mind tonight because buy.com's free shipping ends at midnight.
 
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BW

Banned
Nov 28, 1999
254
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The 2d on the 5500 is great but i will tell you that the radeons is a bit better.Im not dogging the Radeon it is a good card but the drivers are not up to par and i have had troubles with some games that i havent with the 5500 and the g-force. Whatever you decide let us know when you get it and how you like it.later
 
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Taz4158

Banned
Oct 16, 2000
4,501
0
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Well BW you're certainly not that knowledgable or your card would work wouldn't it? Thousands have no issue whatsoever but a very small but vocal percentage do. Hardware or operator issue?
 
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DominoBoy

Member
Nov 3, 2000
122
0
0
Quote from BW - "Shut up dominolittleboy."

That would be Exhibit B of his childish attitude.


Quote from BW - "Im just tired of everybody telling peaple to get the card they have."

But wait....You have the V5 5500 and you are telling him to get the V5 5500. Hello?????

I guess that would be Exhibit C.

Oh and by the way. I don't have a Radeon smarty man, I have a GeForce2 GTS and everyone knows that. But my brother and many friends have the Radeon, and I have used it extensively. The Radeon is equal or better than the GeForce2 IMO. So with that being said, the choice between the GeForce1 and 32mb Radeon is easy. Radeon for sure.

No point in arguing though. The guy is just looking for some opinions. But BW, you do seem to have a attitude problem. Chill out man.


 
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