256 or 128

[midimoose]

I was just wondering what graphics card to get I play games, I'd like nice graphics but they don't have to be stupidly good, just run hl2 and rome total war nicely, I also use 3d animation progs like softimage and 3d max would a 256 show alot more improvement than a 128? and nvidia or ati? and what model and make? sorry to be so general but I'm a bit out of touch when it comes to latest graphics card developments
heres my specs if it helps

asus k8v se deluxe mobo
amd 3200+ 64
1 gig ddr 400
geforce ti 4200 64mb (at the mo)

thanks for anyhelp

[StinkyMojo]

yea.. esp that you use max, the extra 128mb would be handy. In games also like in HL2 the extra 128 can be really useful especially if you plan to bump up the AA and AF.

A good model?
A rule of thumb for right now is to stick with ATI. Don't get fooled by that "the way its meant to be played" marketing campaign bull. ATI cards will run those games with equal or better performance.

If you have the money to spare i'd go for this considering your new rig doesn't support pci-x

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-161-118&depa=1

Its not the XT version, but then again the xt version is about $100 more. That is my 2 cents, hope it helps.

[james]

don't make the mistake pci-x is a 64bit, pci slot, pcie is the new serial slot. very confusing, i know, i've made the mistake myself quite a few times. That being said, I quite like Nvidia cards still, though that's not a knock on ATI. If you have any thoughts about using linux in a 3d environment, i strongly suggest going with Nvidia, ATI linux drivers just aren't up to snuff

[StinkyMojo]

don't make the mistake pci-x is a 64bit, pci slot, pcie is the new serial slot. very confusing, i know, i've made the mistake myself quite a few times. That being said, I quite like Nvidia cards still, though that's not a knock on ATI. If you have any thoughts about using linux in a 3d environment, i strongly suggest going with Nvidia, ATI linux drivers just aren't up to snuff

ya i agree about that linux part.. gentoo doesn't really like my 9800 pro :cry:

[midimoose]

thanks guys looks like i'll be going for a 256 ati then as i'm not using linux at the mo but thanks for the advice about the nvidia on linux i'll keep it in mind.

[Jason425]

nvidia is starting to come around.. but the only nvidia card i'd even consider buying is hte 6800 ultra....

[StinkyMojo]

ya but.... 480 watt for 6800 AND 2 slots or.. ya you know...

[Jason425]

that's malarky that it needs that much wattage.. i've read otherwise.. + I don't have 600 things in my pci slots.. I could make room if I wanted to

[midimoose]

don't tempt me I'll be even more broke if i get one of those

[StinkyMojo]

that's malarky that it needs that much wattage.. i've read otherwise.. + I don't have 600 things in my pci slots.. I could make room if I wanted to

i never said 480 is required.. Its just reccommended by nVidia.. PC Gamer labs were able to run it with a 350 watt.. And of course most of us dont have all our pci slots filled, but convenience always gains a point, which is directed to ATI this time.

[midimoose]

I was thinking of getting a powercolur 9800XT 256MB, any thoughts?

[Jason425]

i'd wait until the x800xt comes out...

[StinkyMojo]

It'll be about $100 more fyi midimoose. of course it depends on your budget, but I'd go for the x800 xt too.. esp with the pretty nice cpu and ram.

[midimoose]

I was going to get a 256 9800 pro but then I found a 256 9800 xt for cheaper, which seems abit weird. I thought xt's were better than the pro's they've got higher clock speeds, But the xt only has ddr1 instead of ddr2 with the pro, (according to ati). I don't think I can afford the x800 xt + i'm in the u.k. so i'll probably have to wait a bit longer and it'll probably be even more expensive here :(

[Jason425]

i'd wait for the x800xt anyway, it's that much better...

[vee_ess]

I was going to get a 256 9800 pro but then I found a 256 9800 xt for cheaper, which seems abit weird.

After video card lines aren't new anymore, often the most powerful at each level becomes the cheapest because of the number of them that had been produced to keep up with demand.

[gnogtr]

Yup. That is true. When I bought my video card I paid $400 because it had just come out the week before I got it, but now I could pick the same card up for $200 while I can now go out and get the X800 XT for $500 and it'd be twice as good as my current card which is still far from bad. I'm going to be waiting on the X800 XT though, I canceled the pre-order and bought a Xbox. I'll probably get the X800 by Christmas.

[StinkyMojo]

Yup. That is true. When I bought my video card I paid $400 because it had just come out the week before I got it, but now I could pick the same card up for $200 while I can now go out and get the X800 XT for $500 and it'd be twice as good as my current card which is still far from bad. I'm going to be waiting on the X800 XT though, I canceled the pre-order and bought a Xbox. I'll probably get the X800 by Christmas.

Nice.. Yeah speaking of christmas.. Im going to build a new PC during that time with the release of the Athlon 64 4000+.. want to get that sucker into a shuttle.. :biggrin:

[Jason425]

(will not buy a shuttle ever...) I might have to wait because of college, a laptop that i'm gonna have to buy, and BTX seemingly in the farther away than I'd like future. Besides, my 9500 pwns all 8)

[gibant1]

In the Last 4 weeks I've had Gainward 5900XT, I overclocked that and it was a very fast card. But it could run Farcry with everything on max.

One week later I got the ATI 9800Pro and it was a little faster but had it's problems (stability) and stiil couldn't run Farcry.

Then two week's ago I stoped being cheap and bought the 6800GT overclocked it (not that it needed it).

There's no looking back, you cannot compare the other two. Now I play Farcry with everything on High & Ultra high 4xa 1280x1024 and average 55-60fps.

Nvidia's are more reliable than ATI's. At our Lan party's only people with ATI cards have problems. lockup's, Having to load different catalyst drivers for more compatability with different games etc.

I have no loyalty towards any company, I just want what's best.

[StinkyMojo]

Yeah, I was about to buy a 5900xt.. its a beast overclocked.. but at the time it was just as expensive as a 9800 pro.. so i went with the pro.

[gibant1]

The lad I sold my 5900XT to, is buying my 6800GT. So I'm going for the Ultra, 4 graphics cards in 4 weeks.

That's a record, even for me!

[midimoose]

just to let you know i got a 9800 xt, I would have liked to get an x800 but I don't have the money and now I really don't have any money.

[Jason425]

prob should have gotten 9800pro for a lot cheaper.. but have fun...

[Napster]

hey stinky is the AMD 4000+ going to be available in PCI-X mobos?

I recently bought a 6800 for $283, plus it came with FarCry, what an amazing deal. And it runs 2x as fast as a 9800pro

[Jason425]

what.. the 6800 NON ULTRA runs 2x the 9800 pro?

I haven't heard about any AMD chips runnen on pci-express .. I assume they're working on it..

[midimoose]

Jason425 wroteprob should have gotten 9800pro for a lot cheaper.. but have fun...
nope xt was cheaper £50 cheaper if i remember correctly, vee_ess said After video card lines aren't new anymore, often the most powerful at each level becomes the cheapest because of the number of them that had been produced to keep up with demand.
+ I get a hl2 voucher but i'm wondering when it does get released am I going to have to wait even longer for the thing to get shipped to me It says allow 4-6 weeks for delivery!!