33 replies to this topic

[DrugSummit]

You should be set to enjoy grafix capability for circa 2 years with the 9600xt. However, it you dont care about games too much, get a 9000 or 9200 or 9500 AIW, cause they contain pixel shader, which the sucky mx series lacks, preventing you from playing any of todays games (well most).

[SptsNaz]

I'de say go for it. My brother has the same card and it scores pretty high in benchmarks and can play almost any game at medium resolutions without a problem. If you want you can instead get a 9800pro, which while is dated, is still probably faster than the 9600XT. It all depends on the quality 9600XT that you're getting. Some are better than others

Screw the 9200's, they suck. You'll probably regret getting it when you'll realize you can't play dren with it. Might as well stick with onboard

Also I hope you do you comp shopping at www.newegg.com, because that store is dirt cheap

[SptsNaz]

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.  While there is the 9800 pro version of that card, I'm not a frame rate freak, and don't feel like shelling out $500 when a simliar device is less than half the cost.  

Just incase you didn't know yet, the 9800PRO is under $200 right now (not $500). The $500 cards are the ATI X800 and the Geforce FX6800GT (i think). The 9800XT is in between in terms of price and performance.

[StOrM]

Just try to find the best deal you can, and if there isn't a real price difference between the 9600xt and the 9800pro i'd go for the 9800pro.

[Evan321]

I'm buying an Ati Radeon 9800 pro. I play a lot of games, and my Nvidia Geforce FX5200 sucks. And I only got it in November...

This is what an Ati Radeon 9800 pro can do to a game I play, Fligh Simulator 2004:
http://fs2004.com/member_uploads_4/FS_060%...0copy_o919c.JPG

[SptsNaz]

WOW 8O

I can just imagine what the X800 or the 6800GT can do

[Evan321]

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WOW  8O  

I can just imagine what the X800 or the 6800GT can do

Go ask someone who has an extra $500 to spend!

[DrugSummit]

I have a 9800 pro, but my graphics aren't that good thanks to a 2.4 Ghz Dell with 512 Mem. :evil:

[Frightcrawler]

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I have a 9800 pro, but my graphics aren't that good thanks to a 2.4 Ghz Dell with 512 Mem.  :evil:

Your CPU isn't really limiting it, but your memory probably is. A memory upgrade should substantially increase performance.
But, if you have 256mb version of the 9800 Pro, flashing your 9800 Pro to a 9800 XT should increase performance.
This comes with some risks, but you might want to do it anyway.

[Evan321]

I have a 1.7ghz, 1024mb ram dell

[Elyubarov]

Why would you use so much ram for a not so good CPU? I don't think it would be of any affect..... take out 512 and give it to me :-)

[Frightcrawler]

RAM is the most noticeable performance indicator. Even if your CPU is slow, RAM will make a big difference.

What era is your P4 from? If it's a Williamette, then everything I just said is false. RDRAM + Williamette = teh suck :roll:

[Elyubarov]

I doubt he ever comes close to using a gig of ram

[Frightcrawler]

It's not necessarily that he is using it all, rather that he CAN if the need arises.
RAM comes in handy for when you want to open a lot of applications. Especially multimedia ones.

[Elyubarov]

I know what ram is used for, evan do you have programs like 3d studio max, or maya?.... Those are 3d editing programs, they chew up ram like crazy.

[Evan321]

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Why would you use so much ram for a not so good CPU? I don't think it would be of any affect..... take out 512 and give it to me :-)

Actually I basically got it for free because Dell sent it to me when I was going to upgrade my PC and they wrote a misprint in my manual. Pretty cool getting $600 worth of RAM for less then $50, but I did go through a lot of stress with ordering the wrong items and such.

[Elyubarov]

I dont think a gig of ram is $600, I managed to get a 512 stick of ddr for $50.