Which graphics card???

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RIDGEBACK

1
Iknow this is a drives forum but as there isn't one for general hardware, here goes.

The wife's gonna buy me a new card off of Santa.

I have a choice Its either a Gainward Geforce 4 TI4600 750xp or a Hercules ATI Radeon 9700 Pro.

My pc specs:

MSI 645 Ultra mobo 4x AGP

P4 1.8 Northwood

2 x 256mb PC2100 ram.

win ME

with the system I have is the 9700 pro worth getting, will there be enough of a performance difference between the 2 to justify the extra £100.

Thanx in advance.

PS anybody interested in an Abit Geforce 3 vivo 64mb ddr only 5 months old
 
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LTR12101B

1
Hey - that's a suggestion for another forum area if ever I saw one - mention it in feedback or suggestions - a block for general hardware!


Tough choice, two Rolls-Royce cards there, both with Hardware DX8.

I read somewhere that:
1. Nvidia are to discontinue the 4600, as the market for it is drying up with many awaiting the much-delayed "NV30" chip.
2. Nvidia are to release an 8x AGP version as the 4800, though it will be no more than an 8x revamp of the 4600 (same speeds).

Lower versions - 4200, 4400 - also tend to overclock well if the heatsink is effective - Gainward seem to be masters of it, especially with the "Golden Sample" range.

Driver support in 9x/ME is beginning to thin - with the Nvidia release shedule for those being later.
 
M

mag046

1
The 9700 requires a dedicated power lead from your PSU. This is the main reason I finally decided against it. My 8500 was extremely tempermental, I attribute this more to drivers than the actual card itself. I ended up running a GF3Ti-200, and it does well. You can find them on the web for about $79 now, a far better price than the $399 Radeon 9700 price tag... Currently I liken NVidia to stablility and ATI to performance, this is by no means saying NVidia doesnt perform well...

Bottom line is figure out what your main use of the machine is and then pick up a card that will fulfill those needs. :)
 
bertieg

bertieg

1
Yes at the moment the 9700 is the best card out there but nvidia are soon releasing there new card to rival it.
 
R

RIDGEBACK

1
You haven't answered the question guys, will my current system apart from the lack of an 8x AGP mobo, have enough power to do the card justice.

Yes I'm a hardcore gamer.

I've already got a fairly descent Geforce 3 now I want vast levels of FSAA in all games
 
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LTR12101B

1
Best advice - go to _www.driverheaven.net and join up there....

There's forums for Nvidia (drivers, cards and benching), and for ATI - and a driver-tweaking guy there too!

If you can't get the answers there, they ain't out there!


Don't listen to me - I got a Geforce 2MX this year and thought it was pretty neat .... how much would you reckon on asking for a GF3? - though I'm a little doubtful about my motherboard working with the real heavy stuff.
 
C

ChiMusic

1
humh

Off a week and SOME messages to read.

I am almost done with my Athlon XP 2000. Just got an ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 128 meg ON SALE, DirectX 8. The 9700 is DirectX 9 and power supply fed.

SALES everywhere. Come-ons as bad sales. My Athlon XP 2000 plus MCI MB $200. Last week 2 Lexmark Z53s at $50, NO REBATE. Video cards on sale now. 40X-48X CD-RWs are old hat now.

Possibly 2-3 weeks great sales then who knows what. They are hitting HIGHER end parts now. Possibly thinking NEW HIGHER STILL for end gamers will sell? Creative w/6.1 out and 5.1 on sale.

I could build a HIGH END system with the sales this week. Something to really take into account, since what is will be old hat in 2 years for speciality areas.

No way $250 for a video card. I guess I am not game addicted.
 
R

RIDGEBACK

1
Not in the UK everything costs the earth here and the Hercules ATI 9700 pro is just out and the cheapest i've seen it is £325 and thats online. In a store you're talking £400+ dread to think what that is in dollars. Saying that mind, everything may cost the earth but if I need medical care of any kind even viagra or IVF the state pays so it could be worse
 
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LTR12101B

1
h**p://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd3N1YmNhdGVnb3J5X3NlYXJjaA==&cat_uid=17


These guys have a SAPPHIRE R9700Pro 128 Mb (DDR, DVI, TV-out) for £268.88 (inc VAT) on the page - there seem to be a few grumbles about their service though!


PS> I forget ... are we allowed LIVE links now?
 
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ChiMusic

1
check and double check

I would surf for local stores ON LINE as it is really getting bad and prices have to have some sale come ons FOR XMAS. I still see Windows/CHIPS as misleading by raising them so you think it is all going up.

This is seeing 1-3 items so cheap in a regular sale. Yo GOTTA be having some sales THERE.

Check the foreign ethnic papers as their small businesses importing. It is CHOICE now not take what we have at the PRICE we have.

Just a little import stuff here and there. Let the middle man do that.
 
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