The Video Card Question

[Bagginses]

Alright, after much talk about getting a new video card, I'm actually going to go ahead and get one since I probably have the worst system here. I was checking out newegg.com and they had a Radeon 9800 PRO listed at $260, and a Radeon 9700 PRO listed at $210. So, the question is, does that extra $50 make a difference. Also, is there a better bargain anyone knows about? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Bagginses

[shockwave203 Profile]

The Radeon 9800pro is about 20% faster than the 9700pro, personally I think it's worth the fifty bucks, but it all depends on your system.

If you have a slower processor and not a lot of ram, that will bottleneck you, and the extra money you spent on the 9800pro will be wasted, because you can't use it at it's full potential. no sense in spending the extra money, and then not being able to use the extra speed.

so...if you have a fast processor, lots of ram, I'd splurge and get the 9800pro for the extra AA and AF. It is faster, and with a fast processor and ram, the game will run GREAT. The 9700pro is still a VERY powerful card, and will run BF similiar to a 9800pro.

hope that helped a bit

[=V!per=]

)OffTopic:

Shockwave Did I ever tell you I love you Avatar.... That's freakin' hilarious everytime I see it:rotflmao: Where you get it.


(It would be funny if he ate his buger....Damn.... I just sounded like an eleven year old:mad: )


OnTopic:

Don't know about the VideoCard Bagginess. But still say you need to go watch ROTK opening night. LOL (This is what's called persuasive repetivness; I repeat what I want you to do: AND YOU DO IT:P)

[Bullhead]

Also, the 9800pro has newer physical architecture, and will become more useful as more and more dx9 games come out (9700 was first gen dx9 card, 9800 is second gen.). For BF, the difference is gonna be about nill, but it'll show on the new stuff like Halo (dx9), Doom3, hl2, etc. For $50, I'd say do it, and then you don't need to upgrade the card for at least a year, maybe more........

[Evan Profile Website]

The 9600 series was the first DX9 card from ATI I believe.

[Bagginses]

Well, the logic I'm using behind this purchase, is that I would ultimately like to improve my Battlefield experience, but I also need it in preparation for Battlefield: Vietnam because I know I don't have the system to handle that game (only because it can barely handle BF42). I don't buy computer games all that often, actually. I used to only buy the Blizzard games, then I bought Battlefield 1942 on a whim cause I thought it looked "kind of cool." I haven't bought any games since. Also, I have a AMD Athlon 1500+, so I know I need to upgrade that as well, but is that processor so bad that it would limit the 9700 as well?

-Bagginses

PS. and Viper, as much as I want to follow your orders and go see it tonight, I really, really can't. Friggin' computer programming exam tomorrow morning...

[Tommy Boy Profile]

Do you recommend teh 9700 Pro (128 mb) OR the 9800 Pro (256 mb) OR the 9800 Pro (128 mb)...obviously they are all expensive, but is there really a performance difference? I am getting ready to take the plunge and want your advice...

[Bullhead]

Tommy, for the cost difference, I'd say a 128mb 9800 over a 256mb 9800 (unless it's real close, which I don't believe it is). Difference between 9700 and 9800 (128) is close enough I'd suggest the 9800.

Bagginses, I'd personally say get the 9700, and spend the $50 on a newer AMD proc (you can get a big upgrade for <$100 no problem........

Evan, I believe the 9700/9500 were both dx9, but first gen. 9600/9800 are second gen.....

[Tommy Boy Profile]

Bullhead, it is aproximately $200 difference (Canadian), do you think that by getting the 9800 Pro 128mb it will be useless in a year?

I think that I will notice a big difference between that and my 8500 LE won't I?

[Bullhead]

Tommy.....

1. HELL NO it will not be usless in a year. Will they have better hardware? YES. Will you be able to play any game, at at least good graphics if not great? YES. People with 9500pros are doing fine right now, and those are over a year old........even a 9700pro will be alright through at least mid-next year. Grab the 9800 pro and enjoy.....

2. You may have a heart attack at the difference between the 8500LE you have and a 9800pro

[Bagginses]

Bullhead, I think at some point you mentioned that you had the same motherboard as me? The MSI? Or maybe it was someone else. Anyways, does the motherboard have any bearing on what type of processor I get? Also, with the Athlon's, what's a good number to get? 1800+? 2000+?

-Bagginses

[Bullhead]

I have a ABIT NF7-s v2.0 (see sig), what MSI do you have? if it's a nforce2 or VIA kt400 (or >) based board, any athlon xp will work fine.

looking at newegg.com, AthlonXP 1700+ is $49 for an OEM, then the prices barely move (diff. of <$5-10) as you climb in proc speed until you hit the 2600+, which is $99. ANY of the procs are nice upgrades, spend whatever you feel you can. An OEM proc will work fine, you just use your current HSF....a retail one comes with a new HSF (and a 3 yr. warr.).

[Bagginses]

I have the nforce2, so I guess I'm in the clear. I guess I might just make it even and go for the 2000+ Athlon. Anyways, thanks for the help, I appreciate it alot.

-Bagginses

[Tommy Boy Profile]

I got the 9800 Pro 128 mb, just put it in and we will see how it goes tonight...I have 14 days to return it if I cannot get it to work well.

I downloaded the latest drivers, and we will see...

Thanks for your adivce. Keep your fingers crossed!

[Matt174e Profile]

is that the best one? I heard there's a new one; I forget the name, RXL 650 Triple High Output or something like that maybe.

But I don't know if it's released yet... is it?