Which would be the best Video Card for HL2, WOW, etc...

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
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Currently stuck on 4 choices.

ATI Radeon 9500/9700Pro
ATI Radeon 9800Pro
ATI Radeon 9600XT
Geforce FX5900 Ultra ?
Geforce FX5900XT ?

Which would you recommend ?

Is a AIW 9600XT a large step down from a 9800Pro or a 9700Pro ?

I just need to run these games at normal setting without it crawling to a halt.
I don't overclock either since i'm on a Dell.

 

Farvacola

Senior member
Jul 14, 2004
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id go with the 9800 from those choices, but I'd recommend that you save your money and get a 6800 GT or ultra, or wait for the 6600 series.
 

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
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Originally posted by: Farvacola
id go with the 9800 from those choices, but I'd recommend that you save your money and get a 6800 GT or ultra, or wait for the 6600 series.

icic.
I guess I can wait for the 6600 series.
But if these come out, it should drop the prices on the other video cards.

I'm contemplating the 9600XT AIW cuz I kinda use the TV Tuner and such.

It was 525/600 ?

Is that good ?
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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Is a AIW 9600XT a large step down from a 9800Pro or a 9700Pro ?
yes, especially if you want to play a Doom3-engine game (and there will be a bunch of them).

It really depends on what screen resolution you want to play at. The 9800 Pro is the lowest card I'd get for 1024x768 (and a 6600GT would be much better), but if you don't mind playing some games at 800x600 or even 640x480, the 9600 will work.

For TV tuners, a brand-new Leadtek goes for under $45, so they should be $30-35 shipped in FS/T forum (I'll be selling one myself if I make up my mind to get a Hauppage hardware encoder).
 

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
81
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Is a AIW 9600XT a large step down from a 9800Pro or a 9700Pro ?
yes, especially if you want to play a Doom3-engine game (and there will be a bunch of them).

It really depends on what screen resolution you want to play at. The 9800 Pro is the lowest card I'd get for 1024x768 (and a 6600GT would be much better), but if you don't mind playing some games at 800x600 or even 640x480, the 9600 will work.

For TV tuners, a brand-new Leadtek goes for under $45, so they should be $30-35 shipped in FS/T forum (I'll be selling one myself if I make up my mind to get a Hauppage hardware encoder).

icic.
I usually play at 800x600 sometimes 1024x768.
Maybe I should just forget about the features and get the 9800Pro.

The reason why I wanted a AIW was cuz I am lacking PCI spaces.
Would the 256bit or 128bit matter for the 9800Pro?

how much difference would it make ?
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
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If you have a VCR or cable box you could also look for a card that has video-in but no TV tuner.

For a 9800 Pro the 128 MB is the good deal. If you're going to spend more, the 6600GT is already down to $225 at newegg and will hopefully get a little cheaper over the next month.

Edit - there are two "128 vs 256" choices in 9800 Pros.
1. 128-bit vs. 256-bit memory path. You need 256-bit memory path, 128 is crippled and slow
2. 128 MB vs. 256 MB of RAM. 128 MB of RAM is fine as long as it has a 256-bit memory path (connection between RAM and the graphics chip).
 

KamiXkaze

Member
Nov 19, 2004
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I am new to these forums could you link me to any information relating to the numbers on a 6800 gt agp for HL2
just interested