What video-card should I, the newbie, buy

[PyroX]

Hi!

This is my first post and first day in this forum and I'm not at all a technical, please bear with me.

Can you guys help me out and decide which videocard I should buy? I'm upgrading my motherboard to (Abit IS-7) and CPU to (P4 2.6 GHz).

Which is the most important to consider?

Amount of RAM, ramdac, GPU core clock, memory type, memory speed, and memory data bus?

I'm currently looking at ASUS V9560/TD Geforce FX 5600 AGP with the following specs: (in the same order as above)
Amount of RAM: 256, ramdac: 2x400 MHz, GPU core clock: 325 MHz, memory type: SDRAM/DDR, memory speed: 550 MHz, and memory data bus: 128 bits. (I'm not sure what all this means)

How does this compare to Radeon?

Hope someone can help, thanks in advance!
Mike

 

[Mem]

ATi 9800NP or 9800 Pro would be a nice match for your CPU,it really depends on how much you want to spend so that`ll be my first question what sort of price range are you looking at?

Btw welcome to the AT forums.

 

[PyroX]

Hi and thanks!

The price range for ASUS V9560/TD Geforce FX 5600 AGP in my location is (my shaky estimate) 200-250$. So I'm probably looking at spending 200$.

Brg
Mike

 

[Mem]

You can get the ATi 9700NP for around $200 that`ll give you better performance then any FX 5600 Ultra.

 

[Ronin]

Actually, you should be able to find a 9700 Pro for right around that range. Keep your eyes open for it and you'll find it. The 9700 Pro will do far and away better than a 5600, no doubt.

 

[sash1]

"Which is the most important to consider?

Amount of RAM, ramdac, GPU core clock, memory type, memory speed, and memory data bus?"

All of these are important, with the exception of RAMDAC. I say that because it is a pretty safe assumption that your top-notch video card will have good 2d quality.

Anyways, amount of RAM is always to be considered, however, don't be fooled by manufacturers putting in a lot of RAM. Right now 128Mb is fine. At a certain point, more RAM doesn't really do much. As well, you should always get DDR. The speed really doesn't matter much, to me, anyways. But faster is always better...

The core clock and mem. clock are to be considered, however don't compare them between brands (ATi and nVidia). I say this because the clock speeds are designed to be most efficient for the card and it's technologies. Don't compare clock speeds between ATi and nVidia and automatically assume faster = better in this case.

And remember, anandtech is only a click away. So whenever you are confused about which card is better, check out Anand's beautiful reviews (and Firingsquad's)

As for your original question, I would suggest the 9700!

Anyways, welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy it here!

~Aunix

 

[Megatomic]

Don't get that GF FX 5600 256MB if you are a gamer. I got one on the serious cheap for my wife's computer, and while it's a great upgrade from her GF2 Ti 450, I wouldn't suggest that any gamer get one. It's pretty slow in newer games.

What are the primary uses of the computer you are upgrading PyroX?

 

[PyroX]

Primary uses for this comp (my home comp) are office stuff, programming and games, primarily Americas Army (unreal engine) and Homeworld II when it gets out. Office stuff == 4-8 hours/week, programming and misc == 5-10 hours/week and gaming == 5-10 hours/week.

 

[Lonyo]

I'd say a 9700 non-pro will do nicely, and will give you DX9 compatibility, and also should help last into the future a bit (HL2 etc) while the FX5600 won't be so good, and won't last so long.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
I'd say a 9700 non-pro will do nicely, and will give you DX9 compatibility, and also should help last into the future a bit (HL2 etc) while the FX5600 won't be so good, and won't last so long.

 

[PyroX]

Aunix - Thanks for explaining a bit about that tech stuff!

The rest of you, thanks for your suggestion about 9700!

The more I look into this, the harder it gets...IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE!

(sorry 'bout that) Anyway, my shaky estimate was indeed just that, shaky, it looks like electronics is cheaper in your end of the world. I think the price for a 9700 is one third too much for me at my end, seeing the prices over here.

What would be the second best alternative to 9700?

Brg
Mike

PS. I can't believe how many posts you guys have made!

 

[modedepe]

The next step down from a 9700np would be a 9500pro. And then a step down from the 9500pro would be a 9600pro. The 9500 pro and 9600 pro a fairly similar performance level, with the 9500 pro being a little faster. Unfortunately the 9500 pro's have gone up in price and are costing quite a bit more than 9600 pro's. So basically, get a 9500 pro if you can find a good deal, if not then get a 9600 pro.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: PyroX
What would be the second best alternative to 9700?

The next best alternative to the 9700 on the cheaper side would be a 9600 Pro. For the usage you describe above that would be a perfect card for you. It's not as future proof from a gaming standpoint but it's a worthy card for today's games and for SOHO use. There is even a faster version of the 9600 Pro that ATI just released, it's a Radeon All-In-Wonder 9600 PRO. That card has a built-in TV tuner, too. It might be my dream card.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: RoninCS
Actually, you should be able to find a 9700 Pro for right around that range. Keep your eyes open for it and you'll find it. The 9700 Pro will do far and away better than a 5600, no doubt.

lemme know if you find a 9700 pro for $200