Graphics Cards

[Sexy_Dave]

I am looking to buy a new graphics card. I am running a P4 3.06, 1 Gig RAM. My M/B does not support the new PCI express cards and don't plan on upgrading to Vista in the forseeable future so I am in need of an AGP interface. Monitor is a an IBM CRT, so I am not opposed to getting a card that is 2 to 3 years old, although will be going LCD in the near future. Would like TV IN/OUT.

I would like a card that can handle the more high intensity 3D games as well as video editing capabilities.

Any opinions.

 

[ladyLuck1337]

How much were you looking to pay? PM me as I have a few options for you.

 

[Sexy_Dave]

I would like a card that can handle the more high intensity 3D games as well as video editing capabilities.

Any opinions.

I believe I mentioned that.

 

[samcan]

If your not adverse to older cards, go to Tomshardware and look at some of the older? reviews. I like Nvidia chipsets as opposed to Ati/Amd but Ati may have more user friendly tv in/out options.
I would look at bumping up ram if doing heavy? video editing though. The memory on video card should be ok for gaming, intense? Might also check DVI outputs for the new monitor.
Have fun shopping.

 

[xdog]

I like the nvidia 7800 GTX 256mb....I've had no probs so far.

x

 

[Sexy_Dave]

Yes Sam I intend to go to 2 Gig RAM but on that note I am now using PC 3200 should I bump up the speed to 4200? I agree as well with the TV in/out and ATI, but I have been reading some reviews that complain on some of their cards that driver problems are occuring and you need to go and download patches etc to fix these problems. Others complain that the 8MB AGP interface is slower on ATI cards than other manufacturers.

And yet there are glowing reviews that god himself uses ATI and why would anybody choose different.

I am trying to wade thru all this conflicting info and avoid as many problems as possible here. Hence I post here to get firsthand reports of fellow TERBsters.

And xdog I have been reading pretty good reports on the nvidia 7800.
Thank you for your input.

 

[samcan]

With video cards its a matter of finding the right driver and stick to it, seems there is a new every week. As for the ram make sure your board supposts it. Curcial and Kingston, both have online tests telling what ram to buy for your board, I think?
The nividia is probably a good choice. What kind of mb is it, if you dont mind me asking?

Not sure what God uses but his must be more than 16 milion colours and 32 bit

 

[Sexy_Dave]

What kind of mb is it, if you dont mind me asking?

bit

Its a Biostar...P4M800. I am pushing its limits I know but I cant afford to upgrade everything right now.

 

[Sexy_Dave]

Video card support for AGP is becoming limited. Today your best bets are:
Nvidia - 7600GS ~$150
ATI - 9600, 1650 and 1950 - ~$90 / $150 / $280

I don't think the 7800 is available in AGP.

The 1950 is the most powerful card and offers better video quality that the 7600. I'm an Nvidia fan, but if $280 is within your budget, it's probably your best choice.

I was leaning toward the X1650 Pro 512 MB although I am checking out nvidia as well.

 

[spheroyds]

Agp

I would wait a few weeks until ATI releases the new x2900 x2k series. This release event will drive the prices down for just about all older cards.

You can find a decent x800 series ATI card on Craigslists/Kijiji for pretty cheap - $80 and up.

The ATI x800 series are a very fast card as you can see here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/04/09/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page7.html

The only downside, and not even a biggie, is Shader 3.0 support not available. This is only an issue for gamers.

 

[Justanormalguy]

I personally don't recommend ATI. The drivers are such a pain to update. Nvidia's the way to go, IMO. nForce blows away Catalyst. Also, my Power Color cheapo card ran better than my ATI Radeon retail card - both with the same chip. Maybe ATI's better these days: all my video cards are years old.

 

[juanbrujo]

If you want the best get an Nvidia Quadro FX 5600. They deliver up to 76.8GB/sec. memory bandwidth, 1.5GB GDDR3 frame buffer memory, 384-bit memory interface and support for two ultra-high resolution (3840 x 2400) digital panels.

 

[xdog]

my 7800GTX is 256mb...fastest I could get at the time. since it's in a laptop, I'll be keeping it. good thing it works well.

x

 

[xdog]

If you want the best get an Nvidia Quadro FX 5600. They deliver up to 76.8GB/sec. memory bandwidth, 1.5GB GDDR3 frame buffer memory, 384-bit memory interface and support for two ultra-high resolution (3840 x 2400) digital panels.

I have to agree, especially if you can but one that is overclocked....good value for the price.


x

 

[tboy]

I picked up the 1650 on Boxing day and it boosted everything including the very graphic intensive ghost recond advanced warfighter. (I paid $149.99 for it).

No problems with drivers or anything yet. Only thing is I don't think it was video inputs......

 

[Cobster]

nVidia GeForce 8800GTS
Damn is that card good, I got the 512mb version, overkill for what I need.
...and I'm not even a gaming kinda guy.

 

[xdog]

nVidia GeForce 8800GTS
Damn is that card good, I got the 512mb version, overkill for what I need.
...and I'm not even a gaming kinda guy.

wicked card....wanna tell us how much u paid for it? lol


x

 

[Keebler Elf]

I have an Asus P4R800-VM motherboard with built-in ATI Radeon 9200 integrated graphics.

I want to play World of Warcraft, which requires a 32 MB 3D graphics card with Hardware Transform and Lighting, such as NVIDIA® GeForce 2 class card or above. The recommended graphics capability is a 64 MB 3D graphics card with Hardware Transform and Lighting, such as NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX 5700 class card or above.

Does my motherboard qualify?

 

[samcan]

I would say yes but you may need to get in bios and see how much memory is allocated for video as most onboard cards use main system ram. How much ram is in your machine?
If 512 allocate 128 for video, 1gig go higher.
Just my thinking.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I've got around 1.5GB of RAM.