who makes the most balanced video card?

[flawedecision]

And by what name does it go?

By balanced I mean great 2d and 3d performance.


The ATI radeon ddr 32 seemed to do it all... how does the 7500/8500 line up? And remember, I'm talking 2d AND 3d. They are both important in drawing the conclusion.

 

[ojai00]

In a recent review of the ATI Radeon 8500 vs the Geforce3 Ti500, the ATI card beat out the Geforce3, but only by about 2%. The Geforce3 was a winner in all of the 3D categories. The Radeon card wasn't behind the Geforce that much. Here is the review: PC Magazine. Just click on the link at the end of the review for the results.

 

[Ryukumu]

All things considered, I think ATI makes the best cards. The Geforce3 Ti 500 is the best 3D performer, the Geforce3 Ti200 is the most 'bang for the buck' 3D performer, but all around the Radeon 8500 is the best when factoring in 2D AND 3D performance. The only negative things I've heard about ATI is that I've heard that often times their video card drivers aren't always compatible with stuff...

If I were to buy a new video card, I'd probably get one of the newer Radeons if the prices are good. I don't do a whole lot of 3D gaming, and I'd be more then satisfied with the performance levels of the newer Radeons.

 

[flawedecision]

so if we factor xfree86 support into the equation then the radeon 64 ddr VIVO is the best bet?

 

[Rand]

All around best video card?
Probably ATi I'd say. They produce a well rounded card that does "well" in all areas. It isnt always the best but it's not really bad in any areas either. Driver quality does make their position as holding the best "all around card" a very debateable point however.
Of course the best "all around card" isnt necessarily the best for everyone as another brand may stand out in the areas that are most important to them, and lack in areas of lesser importance.

What would be best for me would probably be one of the nVidia boards with semi-decent 2D. Still not up to ATi calibar IMHO, but good enough to satisfy me.
But then, what's best for someone else may differ drastically depending upon their requirements.

nVidia has drivers and 3D performance going for them. They have 2D quality going against them, and limited options in the way of Dual-Head cards, and a poorer implementation.

ATi has feature set, and DVD going for them. They have driver quality going against them.

Matrox, has the best dual head implementation, and the best 2D going for them. The have 3D performance going against them.

PowerVR... well they don't truly have the "best" of anything, but neither do they have the "worst" of anything either.

 

[flawedecision]

All around best video card?
Probably ATi I'd say. They produce a well rounded card that does "well" in all areas. It isnt always the best but it's not really bad in any areas either. Driver quality does make their position as holding the best "all around card" a very debateable point however.
Of course the best "all around card" isnt necessarily the best for everyone as another brand may stand out in the areas that are most important to them, and lack in areas of lesser importance.

nVidia has drivers and 3D performance going for them. They have 2D quality going against them, and limited options in the way of Dual-Head cards, and a poorer implementation.

ATi has feature set, and DVD going for them. They have driver quality going against them.

Matrox, has the best dual head implementation, and the best 2D going for them. The have 3D performance going against them.




So which card if balance is required? As well as xfree86 support?

 

[Rand]

[/i] >>


So which card if balance is required? As well as xfree86 support? [/i] >>



Depends on how much your willing to pay. I'd probably say the Radeon 7500 though.
As for xfree86 support, I'm not the best person to answer that so I'll leave that one to those more knowledgeable on the matter then I.

 

[flawedecision]

no support for the 7500

the radeon 64 ddr is the best ati that is supported


this the best bet?

 

[Rand]

<< no support for the 7500

the radeon 64 ddr is the best ati that is supported


this the best bet? >>



I'm no expert on the matter of XFree, but the Radeon 7500 is based upon the same chipset as the Radeon 64MB DDR. Only significant difference is core and memory clock, and a very slight difference in how the memroy controller handles data fetches.
Therefore if the 64MB DDR works w/ xfree86 then I see no reason why the Radeon 7500 wouldnt work as well.
They are afterall pretty much the same card, just at very different clockspeeds.

 

[oldfart]

If you need XF86, Nvidia has very good support. 3dfx wasn't too bad either. There is very minimal support for Linux with ATi cards.