What do you guys think?

**Redwolf** · December 27th, 2003, 04:03 PM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...alog=48&depa=1

Got some x-mas money I need to burn. This card looks as good as any. Here are my critera:

- Needs to be nVidia (I use anaglyphic stereo, which ATI doesn't have, and Linux support seems better with nVidia). I like ATI alot, but it seems I need nVidia for now. Oh well.

- Needs to be as fast or faster than the Radeon 9600.

- Needs to support DirectX 9 (Shaders and such)

- Needs to not have the leaf-blower fan on it

- Needs to work with my KT400 motherboard (MSI KT4V), and not totally stress out my good 300 watt PS (may upgrade at some point)

- Needs to run Halo well.

- Not necessary, but it would be nice if it can run doom III at somewhat decent performance.

So does this fit the bill guys?

**tony_j15** · December 27th, 2003, 04:13 PM

Well, since it has to be nVidia, yeah, that meets your requirements.

**Kc2iLq** · December 27th, 2003, 04:17 PM

Looks good. The DDRII memory is super-fast.

-Kc2iLq

**Redwolf** · January 4th, 2004, 03:51 PM

Okay, almost ready to push the button. Just as a last question, what is better? A 5700 Pro with higher clock speed and 128mb RAM or a 5700 with 256mb RAM but a slower clock speed? I get the feeling it's the Pro model, but I just want to make sure.

**RedFury** · January 4th, 2004, 03:59 PM

that's a good question that I'd like answered myself. I went with a 128mb board because I kept hearing that nothing uses 256mb anyway....but what did people say when 128mb boards were emerging?

**tony_j15** · January 4th, 2004, 04:14 PM

Remember the ti4200 early models? The 64meggers performed better, because the 128mb models didnt have as fast ram. Same situation right now. Get a 128mb model.

**The Real Bingo** · January 4th, 2004, 04:19 PM

Go for a 5900 non-ultra. I have it and works great. Scores real well on 3DMark01 & 03. I think its a better value than a 5700 Ultra.

**Omardeth** · January 4th, 2004, 04:35 PM

also if you didn't buy yet wait till tomorrow between 4-7pm PT that when newegg posts there refurbs . you might get a GREAT deal . you might find a fx5900 for the same price . I just ordered a 9600xt for my son , it should be here monday , for 150$ . worth a looky see before you buy , i will post tomorrow when it gets here if it gets here before i go to werk .

**Redwolf** · January 4th, 2004, 04:38 PM

Bingo, I would kiss you if you weren't 200miles away:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...9&searchdepa=0

For $8 more? w00t!

**Omardeth** · January 4th, 2004, 04:41 PM

i would still hold off you might find a full fx5900 and not an se for the same price tomorrow . monday is a huge day for newegg refurbs . plus the se is a really toned down model .

don't kiss me send money

my paypal is omar at xcelonline dot com

**tony_j15** · January 4th, 2004, 04:43 PM

I wouldnt touch that Redwolf. When you hear "Special Edition" its more like a kid on ritalin than a kid who pitched in the little league world series.

**Redwolf** · January 4th, 2004, 05:23 PM

Woah. Close call guys. I had just ordered when I refreshed this page. Sure enough, the 5900SE has 400/700, while the 5700Ultra has 475/900. Thank you thank you guys (ordered the 5700Ultra instead. I need to get this pretty soon now, so ya).

**Omardeth** · January 4th, 2004, 05:25 PM

ordering it today or tomorrow is only gonna be 1 day difference . you willbe pissed tonmorrow if you see a 5900 tomorrow cause u will look ..

**Redwolf** · January 4th, 2004, 05:28 PM

Already looked. Cheapest 5900 there is $215. And the 5700 Ultra has a faster core/memory speed anyway.

**Omardeth** · January 4th, 2004, 05:31 PM

the core / memory speed isn't all it is about . its also how it gets the information to the gpu . i think the 5900 has more pipes to move data than the 5700 . thats why i said wait till monday , they have alot more stuff on monday . but no matter . good luck on what ya got it is a good card anyway .

**pinipig523** · January 4th, 2004, 06:11 PM

i think the 5900 non ultra is better than the 5700 ultra. i just assembled my friend a computer based on the 5700ultra and it did not impress me one bit.

check this out:
2.8P4C oc to 3.41GHZ
1GB of kingston hyperx ddr500 (2x512)
asus p4c800 mobo
nvidia pny 5700ultra

3dmark 2001 = 12,400
3dmark2003 = 3,200

i didnt have the heart to tell the guy it blew chunks.

go for the nvidia 5900 regular.

BTW, isnt the se better than the xt for nvidia?

**Starfury_2260** · January 4th, 2004, 06:27 PM

i would say that $150 is not a good deal for the 9600XT if it's oem. you dont get the hl2 voucher which is pretty much worth $50 so Ati's retail card would be a better deal (189-50=139).

**Redwolf** · January 4th, 2004, 07:56 PM

That doesn't really blow chunks considering I'm used to a score of 3,000....on 3D Mark 2001. Ick.

**Xtreeme** · January 5th, 2004, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by Kc2iLq
Looks good. The DDRII memory is super-fast.

-Kc2iLq

Actually not yet it isnt. BOth ati and nvidia's ddrII oferrings are a joke big time. Marketing for nerds is all. LOL. The bandwidth gained is almost 100% countered by its horribly high latency compaired to DDR. So maybe in a year or so it will be diff.