What video card should I get?

DanGrease · March 15th, 2004, 02:06 PM

I am buying a new computer for myself, but I am a bit insecure in what video crad I should get. Basically I want to be able to play most games smoothly at an average resolution such as 1280x1024. Playing in a very high resolution such as 1600x1200 is not what I intend to. I want a video card that can last a few years without having to change it to a better one after a year or so. I dont want the most powerful video card available, nor the cheapest. I want an average card that can play games such as Battlefield or Call of Duty smoothly with some nice FPS. I really want an ATI card right now, I think they currently have better video cards at average prices. I currently have a Geforce 4 MX and I really dislike it. I was thinking of going with a Radeon 9800Pro 128MB, but sometimes I just think this video card is too much for me, and I really dont need such a powerful card. Then I think of the Radeon 9600Pro 128MB, but dont know if its worth its price. I really wanted to buy the Radeon 9500Pro, but I cant find it anywhere here, same goes for a Radeon 9700Pro. I only found an All-In-Wonder 9700, but it was too expensive. I really like the Nvidia Ti series, but I dont know if they are too old for using with newer games, and also because its not developed for DirectX 9. I am leaning more on the Radeon 9600Pro since its cheaper than the Radeon 9800Pro. What do you think? Help please

dan

Bill in SD, CA · March 15th, 2004, 02:10 PM

While the 9800Pro may be too much for you now will it be 3 years from now as you put in your criteria?

Bill

bigfeta · March 15th, 2004, 02:11 PM

my asus v9570 works great!

DanGrease · March 15th, 2004, 02:13 PM

You have a point there Bill. Maybe 3 years of duration without changing video card is a bit steep, I want it to at least last a year or so. I really dont need a really powerful video card, but I guess I would buy one just for the duration.

dan

blubomber · March 15th, 2004, 04:10 PM

Well, come april or may, the 9800pro and 9800XT will be obsolite. Maybe not completely obsolite but that is the time that ATI will be releasing their new core, suposidly. nVidia around the same time i think.

I am sure that a 9800pro would be a good investment. It should last for 2 years or so. it may be 2 years or more until Microsoft comes out with DX 10. A 9600pro would be good but if you can you may want to opt for the 9800pro since they are close to $200 dollars now.

Anyway, who really "needs" a McLaren F1, Viper RT, or even the new corvette? there is alot of power there that will most likely hardly ever get used, but it is nice to know it is there incase you may need it someday (to out run a low flying plane or something).

DanGrease · March 15th, 2004, 04:30 PM

Thanks blubomber!

Now should I get the Radeon 9800Pro or a Nvidia card in about same level? I've heard pretty bad things about Nvidia's FX series, so I really dont know if I should even consider their products. Also, arent they more expensive?

dan

DanGrease · March 15th, 2004, 06:23 PM

Or what about the Radeon 9600XT? Is it worth the extra cash from the Pro version?

dan

blubomber · March 15th, 2004, 06:34 PM

I believe the 5900 series of the nVidia FX cards are supposed to be pretty good. But those are comparable to the 9800 series. I belive that the 5700 series is ok also. I will have to read back on some old reviews to find out for sure.

I am an ATI guy. But i think that going with ATI over nVidia is like choosing Intel over AMD. They both have their strong and weak points and it really comes down to personal preference.

The 9600XT i think would be worth the upgrade from the pro version. I think that if you shop around you can still get HL2 voucher with a Retail 9600XT and the XT has a few more little features inabled on it. But in reality, you may only gain 5-10 FPS over the pro version.

RamonGTP · March 15th, 2004, 10:24 PM

"I really dont need a really powerful video card." From what you're saying, the XT would definatly not be wroth it over the Pro. The XT is arguable the most powerfull card right now... The Pro is 2nd to the XT but at half its price and is only bearly slower.

EDIT: I see that you were talking about the 9600 series... Inthat case, yes, the XT would be worth it... However, you can get a 9800Pro for Just over $200 now... That IMO is the best deal right now.

DanGrease · March 16th, 2004, 07:22 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I would go for the Radeon 9800Pro, since its not really that expensive comparing it to the Rdaeon 9600Pro. Also I have the option of going with this video card, which is basically a Radeon 9800Pro with a better cooling system. Its a bit more to spend on it, but I think its worth it since the cooling system seems promising, and Tom recommend this card, and gives it an editors choice.

dan