Looking to buy a new Video Card

by **eric_sermon** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:00 pm

I am looking to buy a new Video Card.
Can anyone recommend a good video card. Something that can emulate Dreamcast games and play DVDs smoothly

Also I need one that can be able to hook up to my T.V.

Thanks in advance

by **burninfool** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:51 pm

How much do you want to spend?
I just bought a Gigabyte Radeon 9600Pro for $130USD at www.newegg.com ,it came with 3 games and all the cables.
I recommend Gigabyte,ASUS,Abit or Powercolor.

Go here for reviews:
www.anandtech.com
www.guru3d.com
www.pcstats.com
www.digit-life.com
www.tomshardware.com

BTW...most videocards come with TV out(composite or S-video).

by **Boba_Fett** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:19 pm

To be honest, if you don't want to upgrade for a long time, I'd go with one of those new Geforce 6800 cards. They are like almost 100% performance increase over the current king of video cards (Radeon 9800 XT). Newegg has a regular version (this one doesn't require a 1000000w power supply ether) for around $300 if you can spring it. Otherwise, I'd go for a Radeon 9800 PRO for $200 at newegg. Anything lower will just disapoint you in a few months when great games come out and your machine runs it half-assed.

by **integspec** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:31 pm

I would recommend a HIS Radeon 9800 Pro ICEQ 128. However, video card requirements can be so different, you have to make the choice by yourself.

First check your requirements (Gaming, Video Editiing, etc...) then go for the sites mentioned in burninfools post and checkout the performance.

For me, 9800 Pro ICEQ is a well balanced card and I'm yet to come across a review which had anything negative to say about it. If you are interested in the ICEQ, google the name and you'll be surprised how many reveiws you'll get.

Good luck / Cheers.

by **eric_sermon** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:37 pm

I was thinking about getting the ATi RADEON 9600XT from newegg
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-161-113&depa=1
Im only looking to spend around $200

I also wanted to know if I should go with a 256MB or a 128MB version of a video card.. I mean is 128MB a big leap..

by **integspec** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:05 pm

From all the reviews I have seen, the extra 128 hardly makes a differece, specially if it's in a 9600. At least this is true for the current games, even with new games you'll only need it if you are to play in extremely high resolutions. Then again, 9600 is not a suitable card for high res gaming.

Btw, you should be aware that there is a huge performance gap between 9600 and 9800, regardless of Non Pro / Pro or XT. Hence you have decided to go for 9600 I would recommend Elsa Falcox series 9600 Pro with VIVO. Price shouldn't be a big difference from the card you have chosen I think.

by **eric_sermon** on Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:19 pm

well should i go wth Nvidia or ATi?

What are ya'll opinions on this card?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... =Refurbish

it seems pretty fast

by **TheCDBurner** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 12:57 am

You do know there are NO working Dreamcast emulators yet, right?
PSX, N64, and the older systems, yes, DC and up, no.

Although the Gamecube emulator is looking nice...

by **eric_sermon** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 8:41 am

Well what video card would you recommend for emulating n64 games and for video editing?

by **pchilson** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:10 am

Just get the best Radeon based card you can afford.
Read a few reviews and stay away from the "cheapest no-names" in it's class. They typically use slow ram and performance suffers.
The card integspec suggested is a good one.
You won't be disappointed.

by **eric_sermon** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:57 am

Which ones are cheapest no-names??

by **pchilson** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 10:26 am

Well, actually what I meant is the generics.
Just stay to the better known names like ATI, Powercolor, Connect3d, Gigabyte, HIS, SAPPHIRE...

Read the reviews to determine the chip family you want to be in eg...9200, 9600, 9800...

Look on newegg and search by chipset eg... ATI RADEON 9600

Look at the price differences in the cards found.
Typically speaking (not always) the generics will be the lowest price.

My rule of thumb is to not buy at the top or the bottom but somewhere in the middle.

The best way to know exactly what you are getting is to buy the ATI brand but is also rarely the best value.

by **eric_sermon** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 10:45 am

ok I have a question about this card
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 09R&depa=0

If theres no VGA port... How do you hook it up to your monitor

by **pchilson** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:31 am

Well, if that was a new card it comes with an adapter to go from DVI to VGA but being a refurb it probably won't come with the adapter.
You can always pick up an adapter at the same time.

Be very sure you want a refurb though...Never know why it's there.

by **eric_sermon** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:49 am

Do you know where I can find the ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO for the same price..? Around 210 used or new?

by **pchilson** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 12:03 pm

Here is a new 9700 AIW
Looks like the 9800 based AIW's are at the $320 point.

by **eric_sermon** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:12 pm

Ok im looking for the ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO... Does any site carry this item for under $210?. I would buy it off of Newegg but it is out of stock. I dont really care if it is used or new as long as it cost under 210

by **integspec** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 8:16 pm

eric_sermon,

AFAIK, AIW 9800s are still very expensive and I'm not sure whether you can get them in 210 range. At least where I'm now.

Buying a graphic card is a mind boggling process, but as I suggested before, decide on a brand first (ATI / Nvidia), then do a price / performance comparison, then try to select a card matching your requirements. Otherwise you might find it difficult to make a choice and will end up running back and forth the forums. Personally, I believe that ATI picture quality (at least Radeon Series) is much better than Nvidia's (not performance, plainly how the screen looks). (Nvidia fans, no flaming please).

Once again, reading reviews is a very important part of the process.

Cheers.

by **Boba_Fett** on Sat Jul 10, 2004 8:22 pm

integspec wrote:eric_sermon,

AFAIK, AIW 9800s are still very expensive and I'm not sure whether you can get them in 210 range. At least where I'm now.

Buying a graphic card is a mind boggling process, but as I suggested before, decide on a brand first (ATI / Nvidia), then do a price / performance comparison, then try to select a card matching your requirements. Otherwise you might find it difficult to make a choice and will end up running back and forth the forums. Personally, I believe that ATI picture quality (at least Radeon Series) is much better than Nvidia's (not performance, plainly how the screen looks). (Nvidia fans, no flaming please).

Once again, reading reviews is a very important part of the process.

Cheers.

Bleh, I've alternated between nVidia and ATI for years now and the ONLY difference is how powerful the cards were. At the same settings, the picture quality was more or less the exact same. Get something fast and cheap from ether of the top contenders and don't worry (I would stay away from the nVidia FX series though, ATI beat the hell out of nVidia on that round). My Radeon 9800 PRO 128mb OEM from www.newegg.com overclocks well past XT specs. For $200 you really can't ask for more

by **eric_sermon** on Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:00 pm

Ok I have a problem.. I bought the ATI 9700PRO AIW and when I ried to put it in my motherboard it didn't fit.

what do i do now?. do i have to buy another motherboard?

by **Ian** on Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:25 pm

What do you mean it doesn't fit? Too long? Doesnt' fit in your AGP slot?

What motherboard do you have now?

by **TheWizard** on Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:26 pm

Describe how it didn't fit. It does not fit snugly in the AGP slot or there isn't enough physical space in your case (due to other cards or drives or wires being in the way) to fit the card? If it is the former, you need a new motherboard; one that supports AGP 4X/8X. If it is the latter, try moving some cards/drives/wires around to make room for the graphics card; or buy a bigger case.

by **eric_sermon** on Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:32 pm

the video card is too big for the slot your supposed to put it in.. I dont know what motherboard I have. but I have a Celeron 2.3GHZ and my computer is a HP Pavilian 515n

by **burninfool** on Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:20 pm

eric_sermon wrote:the video card is too big for the slot your supposed to put it in.. I dont know what motherboard I have. but I have a Celeron 2.3GHZ and my computer is a HP Pavilian 515n

eric...you can't use AGP with your motherboard you will have to:
1.Buy a new motherboard with 8x AGP(highly recommended).
2.Buy a PCI videocard(PCI sucks for gaming especially when you have a nice videocard like you do).

You can find the specs HERE.

by **integspec** on Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:46 am

burninfool wrote:
eric_sermon wrote:the video card is too big for the slot your supposed to put it in.. I dont know what motherboard I have. but I have a Celeron 2.3GHZ and my computer is a HP Pavilian 515n

eric...you can't use AGP with your motherboard you will have to:
1.Buy a new motherboard with 8x AGP(highly recommended).
2.Buy a PCI videocard(PCI sucks for gaming especially when you have a nice videocard like you do).

You can find the specs HERE.

First option is the most suitable, however you should be aware that your system form factor and power supply might not support all types of motherboards. If you had mentioned the fact that you have a Pavillion and other details, you could've received better advice. No worries though, shouldn't be difficult to find a mobo which fits your system.

Good luck.

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