finally got the game rig going...need vid card advice.

**thePh@r@oh** · August 28th, 2003, 07:17 PM

MoBo:ASUS P4S800 SIS 648FX
CPU: P4 2.6Ghz 800Mhz FSB
RAM: 512MB pc3200
---------------------------------------------------
was thinking of getting a FX5900 ultra 256mb ram
are there any advantages of getting this one compared to the 128mb version.

**gambler2611** · August 28th, 2003, 07:35 PM

I think the only advantage of a higher aperture is that it can load levels quicker. Because it has a higher aperture it doesnt have to keep filling and then draining to make a level.
e.g. a 64mb card loading a 128 mb level would have to go fill drain fill drain. But a 128 mb graphics card would be fill drain. Making loading a lot quicker by minimising the amount of time taken to load levels and characters. This doesnt necessarily mean that fps will be higher though because once the levels loaded the GPU takes over. If i was you i would only buy the card with 256mb more if its a few quid more or your a hardcore gamer.

Your system specs make me cry cos mine arent up to scratch :'(

Andy

**thePh@r@oh** · August 28th, 2003, 07:38 PM

yea im ocing up to 3.0Ghz and getting another stick of 512mb ram but thats later on dont have much cash at the time. ok i need to look at my GPUs

**Opeth** · August 28th, 2003, 09:03 PM

Did you consider a Radeon 9800 Pro? It may not pump out as many framerates as a 5900 Ultra, but the overall image quality from an ATI card is superb compared to that of an nVidia card. Plus with the money you spend you could buy an extra stick of RAM (5900 Ultra= $480, Radeon 9800 Pro= $370). I have a system very similar to that one (2.6C, P4P800, 1024 PC3200) but with a Radeon 9800 Pro and my framerates are at a pretty constant 45 with AA and AF maxed out.

Sorry for droning on and on, just thought I would mention it.

**thePh@r@oh** · August 28th, 2003, 09:14 PM

yea i thought about it but i've never liked ATI just because of the driver problems im sure it would work fine but i read a review benchmarking the 2 against each other ant the Nvidia cards stomped the ATI the 5600ultra came in just under the 9800pro.

**Opeth** · August 28th, 2003, 09:27 PM

I haven't had any driver probs yet... hope I never have to deal with that.

Anyway, to each his own. Good luck with your card.

P.S. I would get the 256 version just for bragging rights

**thePh@r@oh** · August 28th, 2003, 09:32 PM

lol
thats what i was thinking

**Scott Tiger** · August 28th, 2003, 09:33 PM

If 256mb makes levels load quicker then it's worth the extra money to me. Seriously, that's one thing I didn't know about but will take into serious consideration from now on.

**DPA** · August 28th, 2003, 09:34 PM

the driver problems are pretty much nonexistant anymore, since ATI has been able to make good money on the 8500 and higher series, they have been able to devote more money to correct driver designs.

since feb. this year, they have released 8 completely new driver sets appearing in the catalyst packages.

I found that most of the problems associated with ATI cards were when someone installed an ATI after owning an Nvidia product, the nvidia drivers were causing conflicts, and should have been uninstalled before the new card was even put in... common practice for those who read manufacturer instructions

but whatever you choose to purchase, FX5900 or 9800, its going to be PLENTY fast. HAVE FUN

**gino X** · August 28th, 2003, 09:34 PM

ATI drivers aren't as bad as they were a few years ago. I use an ATI card in my other machine using their Catalyst drivers and they work great!

Edit: DPA beat me