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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → Best graphics cards on the market right now?
12
Best graphics cards on the market right now?
2004-03-24, 8:02 PM #1
Hey guys, I'm going to be purchasing a new computer, and I'd like to hear what you guys think about which is currently the best graphics card on the market. Thanks.


[This message has been edited by Agent-Smith (edited March 24, 2004).]
The top ten times in history when using the "F" word
was appropriate.....
10) "What the *&%# was that?" -Mayor of Hiroshima - August 1945
9) "Where did all these *&%#ing Indians come from?" - Custer 1877
8) "Any *&%#ing idiot could understand that." - Einstein 1938
7) "It does SO *&%#ing look like her!" - Picasso 1926
6) "How the *&%# did you work that out?" - Pythagoras 126 BC
5) "You want WHAT on the *&%#ing ceiling?" - Michelangelo 1566
4) "I don't suppose it's gonna *&%#ing rain." - Joan of Arc 1434
3) "Scattered *&%#ing showers...my a$$!" - Noah 2114 BC
2) "I need this parade like I need a *&%#ing hole in my head!" -
JFK 1963
1) "Aw c'mon, who the *&%# is going to find out?" - Bill Clinton 1997
2004-03-24, 8:06 PM #2
ATI Radeon 9800 XT. Though if you can hold out with a cheap card, I'd wait for NVidia's next gen cards due out sometime this year...maybe.

------------------
Our very existence is at stake
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.
2004-03-24, 8:13 PM #3
Here we go again... [http://forums.massassi.net/html/rolleyes.gif]

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The future is here, and all bets are off.
And when the moment is right, I'm gonna fly a kite.
2004-03-24, 8:29 PM #4
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GBK:
Here we go again... [http://forums.massassi.net/html/rolleyes.gif]
</font>

It does not have to get that way if the lot of us would stick to just helping Agent-Smith decide on which GFX card to purchase without the need of going "omgomg nvidia pwns j00 lolololol ati sux" and such piddle n' crap.

Agent: I've always been an nVidia user, myself. I've had little problems with their cards. Each card has strengths and weaknesses. Shop around, find what's best for you.


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<scribbly handwriting barely resembling name>
Code to the left of him, code to the right of him, code in front of him compil'd and thundered. Programm'd at with shot and $SHELL. Boldly he typed and well. Into the jaws of C. Into the mouth of PERL. Debug'd the 0x258.
2004-03-24, 8:33 PM #5
Best bang for buck is the 9600 I understand.
I got a Sapphire 9600XT 256 meg for 319 (australian). Worth every cent I reckon.
However, ive heard that Sapphire can go bonkers at three months. You'll hear if mine does [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif]

------------------
Founder of the Massassi Brute Squad (MBS)

B'tduz: A popular dwarfish game which consists of standing a few feet apart and throwing large rocks at one another's head.

"Yes, it's a bloody flying alligator setting fire to my city!" - His Grace His Excellency the Duke of Ankh, Commander Sir Samuel Vimes.

Morituri Nolumus Mori
Founder of the Massassi Brute Squad (MBS)
Morituri Nolumus Mori
2004-03-24, 8:40 PM #6
If you're not talking money-wise and purely the best performing card around right now, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT. Very expensive. I guarantee it won't let you down though. Mine never has, anyway.

------------------
"Why did all the dinosaurs have to die?"
"Because you touch yourself at night."
"Why did all the dinosaurs have to die?"
"Because you touch yourself at night."
2004-03-24, 8:55 PM #7
Voodoo2

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wang is within all
eat right, exercise, die anyway
2004-03-24, 8:57 PM #8
So... What's the Nvidia equivalent of the 9600?

I have a 128mb GF4 Ti 4200, would it be worth upgrading to a 256mb 9600? Cos that's about all I could ever afford.

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The Massassi-Map
There is no spoon.
The Massassi-Map
There is no spoon.
2004-03-24, 9:08 PM #9
I'd say so.

The 5950 ultra is the top nVidia card out right now.

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
2004-03-24, 9:44 PM #10
well, I'm actually serious about wanting to know what the best card on the market is. Price is not an issue for me right now, which is why I'm buying a new computer in the first place. So I'm not really looking for a bang for your buck kinda thing right now....I just want to know what the most powerful card on the market is, and if it's got the longevity to last quite a while...thanks guys



[This message has been edited by Agent-Smith (edited March 25, 2004).]
The top ten times in history when using the "F" word
was appropriate.....
10) "What the *&%# was that?" -Mayor of Hiroshima - August 1945
9) "Where did all these *&%#ing Indians come from?" - Custer 1877
8) "Any *&%#ing idiot could understand that." - Einstein 1938
7) "It does SO *&%#ing look like her!" - Picasso 1926
6) "How the *&%# did you work that out?" - Pythagoras 126 BC
5) "You want WHAT on the *&%#ing ceiling?" - Michelangelo 1566
4) "I don't suppose it's gonna *&%#ing rain." - Joan of Arc 1434
3) "Scattered *&%#ing showers...my a$$!" - Noah 2114 BC
2) "I need this parade like I need a *&%#ing hole in my head!" -
JFK 1963
1) "Aw c'mon, who the *&%# is going to find out?" - Bill Clinton 1997
2004-03-24, 10:21 PM #11
I have a 256mb 9800 Pro. I love it to death and it works perfectly. Don't regret a single cent.

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Cantina Cloud | BCF | The Massassian 1 & 2 | Gonkmeg
Corrupting the kiddies since '97
2004-03-24, 10:24 PM #12
Ten you'll probably want to get a Radeon 9800 Pro or XT

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
2004-03-25, 12:53 AM #13
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Ric_Olie:
ATI Radeon 9800 XT. Though if you can hold out with a cheap card, I'd wait for NVidia's next gen cards due out sometime this year...maybe.

</font>


I don't understand... ATi is also coming out with a new card too. Why does everyone only say nVidia? ATi's will more then likely be out earlier too.



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[="They say music can alter moods and talk to you, but can it load a gun for you and cock it too?" - Eminem=]

Massassian since: March 12, 2001
Got a permanent feather in my cap;
Got a stretch to my stride;
a stroll to my step;
2004-03-25, 12:58 AM #14
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Agent-Smith:
well, I'm actually serious about wanting to know what the best card on the market is. Price is not an issue for me right now, which is why I'm buying a new computer in the first place. </font>


Radeon 9800 XT. 8x AGP. 256 MB video memory.

(Assuming they solved the driver problems that were causing XTs to melt)

[This message has been edited by Jon`C (edited March 25, 2004).]
2004-03-25, 2:49 AM #15
hate to hijack the thread but i'm curious....

is there a major difference between 8x AGP and 4x AGP, my motherboard is 4x and I'm wondering whether it is worth while updating my ti4200 to an 8x card, will i be missing a lot of performance because the card will only be running at 4x...???

[edit]decided that i'm not such a lazy bum as to be able to find the answer myself....in short it makes absolutly no difference what-so-ever at the moment, for the full acticle I read go http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=3&id=604 [/edit]

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I heard someone say once that the world is a fine place and that it was worth fighting for....I agree with the last part.

People of our generation should not be subjected to mornings.

Rbots website

[This message has been edited by James Bond (edited March 25, 2004).]
People of our generation should not be subjected to mornings.

Rbots
2004-03-25, 3:10 AM #16
Yup, sod all difference.

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Cantina Cloud | BCF | The Massassian 1 & 2 | Gonkmeg
Corrupting the kiddies since '97
2004-03-25, 3:56 AM #17
I ended up getting a 9600 XT and it's great. Full details on every game. $250 Australian (at a place on the road just north of Monash University in Melbourne, if anyone's interested. They advertise in the Green Guide, too.)

Highly recommended.
2004-03-25, 4:34 AM #18
Radeon 9800XT is the absolute fastest consumer-level card strictly speaking. I have a 9700 Pro, though, and it serves me VERY well.

------------------
"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...
Make Sorrowind Worthwhile... join it! http://sorrowind.net
2004-03-25, 8:00 AM #19
I have a 9000 and it serves me just fine... got it for 80 bucks too.

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Don't be unwise judge me not by my size. You wont believe your eyes watch the xwing rise!
2004-03-25, 8:39 AM #20
If you're looking at price : performance ratio, probably a 9600 Pro (128mb) or 9800 Pro (128 or 256mb is your choice). If you just want the top of the top and price isn't a concern: 9800 XT.

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I'll admit to Reactor CTF, Duel Abyss, Duel Turbulent, Duel Dustball, and even the CCCP, but not Sky High! (my first, be kind!) Ok so maybe I will.

[This message has been edited by Gonk (edited March 25, 2004).]
http://www.jedilegacy.net/gonk/
2004-03-25, 11:19 AM #21
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gonk:
If you're looking at price : performance ratio, probably a 9600 Pro (128mb) or 9800 Pro (128 or 256mb is your choice). If you just want the top of the top and price isn't a concern: 9800 XT.

</font>


Exactly what I wanted to say in my post. Go by his words. [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif]

------------------
"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...
Make Sorrowind Worthwhile... join it! http://sorrowind.net
2004-03-25, 4:49 PM #22
Radeon 9800XT 256 best card out, by Asus Hercules, or if you can find it, ATi.

Best card coming out, NV40, from nVidia. It's gonna own ATi's card...ah well. Best performance is from ATi currently. Spork--nVidia equivalent to 9600 is the 5700.

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There is no signature
D E A T H
2004-03-25, 5:05 PM #23
Anyone know how long it will be until this next generation of cards comes out From ATI or Nvidia?



[This message has been edited by Agent-Smith (edited March 25, 2004).]
The top ten times in history when using the "F" word
was appropriate.....
10) "What the *&%# was that?" -Mayor of Hiroshima - August 1945
9) "Where did all these *&%#ing Indians come from?" - Custer 1877
8) "Any *&%#ing idiot could understand that." - Einstein 1938
7) "It does SO *&%#ing look like her!" - Picasso 1926
6) "How the *&%# did you work that out?" - Pythagoras 126 BC
5) "You want WHAT on the *&%#ing ceiling?" - Michelangelo 1566
4) "I don't suppose it's gonna *&%#ing rain." - Joan of Arc 1434
3) "Scattered *&%#ing showers...my a$$!" - Noah 2114 BC
2) "I need this parade like I need a *&%#ing hole in my head!" -
JFK 1963
1) "Aw c'mon, who the *&%# is going to find out?" - Bill Clinton 1997
2004-03-26, 1:33 AM #24
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dj Yoshi:
Radeon 9800XT 256 best card out, by Asus Hercules, or if you can find it, ATi.

Best card coming out, NV40, from nVidia. It's gonna own ATi's card...ah well. Best performance is from ATi currently. Spork--nVidia equivalent to 9600 is the 5700.

</font>


You know this how? Atleast wait until both cards come out before saying which one is better. [http://forums.massassi.net/html/rolleyes.gif]



------------------
[="They say music can alter moods and talk to you, but can it load a gun for you and cock it too?" - Eminem=]

Massassian since: March 12, 2001
Got a permanent feather in my cap;
Got a stretch to my stride;
a stroll to my step;
2004-03-26, 1:51 AM #25
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dj Yoshi:
Spork--nVidia equivalent to 9600 is the 5700.</font>


So I would be better of. Gracias [http://forums.massassi.net/html/smile.gif]

Now to decide on a CPU to aim for...

------------------
The Massassi-Map
There is no spoon.
The Massassi-Map
There is no spoon.
2004-03-26, 3:01 AM #26
Quick question, and I hope this doesn't steam any flame wars, but: How long will you be able to go with the Radeon or Geforce 4 without upgrading again for awhile?

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"We came, we saw, we conquered, we...woke up!"
"We came, we saw, we conquered, we...woke up!"
2004-03-26, 8:57 AM #27
Spork, check out some benchmarks. I don't think the performance difference is significant enough to lay down even a hundred bucks. We're talking a 3-5% difference in most cases.

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EvilMagic.net: Brian's Web Log
2004-03-26, 9:10 AM #28
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jaiph:
I have a 256mb 9800 Pro. I love it to death and it works perfectly. Don't regret a single cent.

</font>




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--------------------------------------
Fear is here, where's the beer?
--------------------------------------
Fear is here, where's the beer?
2004-03-26, 2:05 PM #29
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Spork:
So I would be better of. Gracias [http://forums.massassi.net/html/smile.gif]

Now to decide on a CPU to aim for...

</font>


AMD Athlon XP 2500+ is the sweet spot right now.

Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sol:
You know this how? Atleast wait until both cards come out before saying which one is better. [http://forums.massassi.net/html/rolleyes.gif]

</font>


The NV40 uses a 16 pipe solution, and nVidia cards as a default have higher clocks. The R420 uses a 12 pipe solution and ATi's as default have lower clocks. If you want I'll find documents on this, but that should answer your questions. [http://forums.massassi.net/html/wink.gif]


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There is no signature
D E A T H
2004-03-26, 2:07 PM #30
Clock rate is never an accurate indication of the performance of two dissimilar pieces of hardware.
2004-03-26, 2:10 PM #31
Yeah... None of the clock numbers are acurate. All rumours.

------------------
[="They say music can alter moods and talk to you, but can it load a gun for you and cock it too?" - Eminem=]

Massassian since: March 12, 2001
Got a permanent feather in my cap;
Got a stretch to my stride;
a stroll to my step;
2004-03-26, 3:19 PM #32
...That isn't what I meant at all.
2004-03-26, 3:46 PM #33
:/ I agreed with you, then added to it. :/

------------------
[="They say music can alter moods and talk to you, but can it load a gun for you and cock it too?" - Eminem=]

Massassian since: March 12, 2001
Got a permanent feather in my cap;
Got a stretch to my stride;
a stroll to my step;
2004-03-26, 4:34 PM #34
Yes they are, they are the same clock rates, HOWEVER, due to pipe limitations they haven't been able to use it all. With a 16 pipe solution nVidia's clock+pipes are going to whipe the FLOOR with ATi's 12 pipe, low-clock solution.

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There is no signature
D E A T H
2004-03-26, 5:11 PM #35
We'll see, but yeah NV's pipe advantage with the next line could be telling given how the FX line's pipes hurt it's pixel shader performance bigtime with the current generation.

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Cantina Cloud | BCF | The Massassian 1 & 2 | Gonkmeg
Corrupting the kiddies since '97
2004-03-26, 6:14 PM #36
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Matthew Pate:
I ended up getting a 9600 XT and it's great. Full details on every game. $250 Australian (at a place on the road just north of Monash University in Melbourne, if anyone's interested. They advertise in the Green Guide, too.)

Highly recommended.</font>



Which campus? Sounds like a good bargain, might check that place out.
2004-03-26, 6:30 PM #37
from what I've heard, 9800 XT and 9800 Pro are nearly the same. What extra you get out of XT isn't worth the extra cost.

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If you ever want to be hated by your peers, make them look bad. That's what America did.
Democracy: rule by the stupid
2004-03-26, 6:30 PM #38
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Dj Yoshi:
Yes they are, they are the same clock rates, HOWEVER, due to pipe limitations they haven't been able to use it all. With a 16 pipe solution nVidia's clock+pipes are going to whipe the FLOOR with ATi's 12 pipe, low-clock solution.

</font>


Or we could just wait and see which of the next gen cards is better. If it's nVidia, it's nVidia. If it's ATI, it's ATI. Does it really matter all that much?

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
2004-03-26, 6:38 PM #39
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Kieran Horn:
from what I've heard, 9800 XT and 9800 Pro are nearly the same. What extra you get out of XT isn't worth the extra cost.

</font>


yeah but with all XTs you get a free copy of HL2 when Gabe stops eating the dev team and they can finish the game

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wang is within all
eat right, exercise, die anyway
2004-03-26, 6:50 PM #40
The XT is an overclocked Pro.

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
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