Graphics Card?

[j0lly r0ger]

I play all those high graphics demanding games (BF2142, Fear, etc). I currently have a ATI Radeon x800 Card. Its kind of getting outdated so its making it more difficult to play more newer games. I dont have a HUGE amount of money and I want to get a new Graphics card that will make smooth it out and be able to play LAG free while maxed out. I was thinking about the Radeon 9600 Pro DDR 250mb for Mac & PC. Do you think it would make a big difference going from the x800 to the 9600? Its just that I have AGP, DDR, and a bunch of other old things. I never really upgraded my computer into PCI-E, DDR2, and other stuff because I thought it would be to expensive. I dont really have the biggest budget. SO overall Im lost and I dont know what to do. Buy a new graphics card? Upgrade my comp? Any help?

[photolady]

Well, you wouldn't want to go down in the specs of a graphics card. Getting the 9600 would do that since it's older than the x800, but there are still better cards out there for AGP slots. And though you have ATi, you might want to consider going to Nvidia now. The 7800GS or 6800GT's are better than the x800 and the 9600. You need one with higher Mhz rather than one with more memory, although more memory is important clock speeds are more important. The 7800's are quite expensive but the 7600's are still not that expensive, nor are the 6800's. From newegg here's a BFG 7600GS with 512mb memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143069

Also a 6800XT with 256mb memory, RAMDAC at 1000Mhz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150163

Now if you still want to stay at the ATI cards you might find one in an AGP but there are none listed at newegg for ATI AGP in the series of x's above 850.

A lot of gamers are going with Nvidia now, that's what I have also.

[liam858]

If you want an ATI, the X1950 Pro is my recommendation, if you want an Nvidia card then go for the 7600GT.


Liam

[j0lly r0ger]

Thanks a bunch.... What really stinks though is that I have DDR not DDR2 or 3. Soo what would I have to get to upgrade my computer?

[lgbpop]

If you want to use DDR2, you'll need a new mobo that incorporates it (they are 240-pin RAM sticks, not 184) which means going to PCI-E video anyhow. If your budget's tight, stick with what you have for now; the new vidcard will remove a big bottleneck for you.

If you decide to go for the nVidia 6-series card, I'd recommend the 6800 over the 6800XT. The former has 12 open pixel pipelines, but 16 total; using RivaTuner (a free download) you can unlock the other 4 pipelines, giving you the performance of the 6800GT while saving some serious money. The 6800XT is actually a detuned 6800 with only 8 pixel pipelines (lower performance), and I don't believe it can be unlocked at all. If I'm mistaken, I'd love to be corrected because the XT can be had for a good price.

You didn't mention what brand of RAM you have or its specs, but you may also benefit by buying low-latency DDR RAM. It's a bit more expensive, but it allows more overall system tweaking. The system in my sig may look outdated, but going to better RAM allowed me to overclock the CPU to 2.5GHz (stock 2.16GHz) and it's so fast it's stupid. It won't multitask as a dual-core will, but otherwise it performs like a much more expensive system.

[j0lly r0ger]

I have 2 512mb 2700 DDR SDRAM sticks. Do you think that going from the ATI x800 to the Nvidia 6800 will make a difference?

[liam858]

I don't think you'd see a difference going from an X800 to a 6800, jumping up to a 7800GS would, but it depends on your budget.

Upping the RAM to 2gb would help in Battlefield, BTW weren't you bothered about the spyware in 2142??


Liam

[j0lly r0ger]

Ok, well I guess Ill just buy another gig of RAM. Hopefully that'll help me out. Thanks a bunch. Ill get back to ya letting you know how it turns out.

The spyware in BF2142 bothers the hell out of me. I just wonder what it will be tracking on my PC. EA really lost loads of gamers because of this and I think that it was a huge mistake on their part. When I found out about the spyware I regreted buying the game.

[liam858]

One positive is that they didn't try and hide the fact, they put in a slip of paper telling you, but there are way too many negatives.... I am one of those people who refuse to buy it, and a few of my friends who were never off 1942/BF2, have also steered well clear.

Let us know how the upgrades go.


Liam

[lgbpop]

RAM with settings like this would speed things up a bit. You could also go to PC3200, not because the mobo will run it as 3200 but because if you overclock it you have more room to play with before reaching the RAM's design limits and the system goes unstable.

Liam's right about the vidcards, I looked at some benchmarks after I posted earlier and the performance difference between the X800 and the 6800 (any flavor) aren't worth spending the money on. A 7-Series card would be better.

[j0lly r0ger]

Well... Ive been deciding and Ive finally made up my mind. Im just going to buy almost a new computer. Im going up to PCI-E, AMD chip, etc. The only thing is that Im still having trouble choosing a graphics card. Im not sure what to get or look for. I heard that NVIDIA is really hitting the gaming world more then Radeon so I was looking for a NVIDIA card I guess. I want to spend up to $200 and I want it to have a better performance difference then my Radeon X800. Any Help?

[lgbpop]

Depends on if you're willing to go to the high end of the range, but this card is probablly the best you can find without going to a specialty make like Gainward. 20 pixel pipelines, factory overclocking and one of the best cooling devices made.

[liam858]

Anything PCI-E from the 78.xx or 79.xx series for that price will leave the X8.xx series in the dust, they will probably leave all cards below the X18.xx in the dust aswell, the driver software is also a plus, i find it is much better than catalyst in the ease of use, and doesn't seem as bloated IMO.


Liam

[Piesgood]

bothered by the spyware In 2142? why?, It makes the game look real. putting ads in it that relate to me Is ok, unless someone can tell me why its harmfull. BTW that game is awsome !