Should i buy this graphics card?

Bobjones1303

I was looking around for graphics card at circuitcity.com, and i came across: ATI Radeon 9600 SE 128MB AGP Video Card for $130.00.  I don't know much about computers and their hardware, so i'm wondering.....will this run Eq2 well, and is it worth $130.00?  Plz help me out.  Oh, and can anyone give me some other sugestions for graphics cards that can run Eq2. (around $100.00 or lower)  I would prefer if I could buy them in a store, instead of having them mailed to I, but plz post both.

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

Bobjones1303

Nevermind, i kept on looking and i found alot of other cards that are better for alot less.

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

DerfelCadarn

I would get your stuff from a store on www.pricegrabber.com or www.newegg.com. Newegg is very cheap and much better than most stores in terms of service and RMA. If I was shopping for a graphics card, I would look for a ATI radeon 9600 pro or above. Make sure that it has a 128 bit(I perfer the 256-bit bus). Never get a SE or a 64-bit card.

Bobjones1303

www.newegg.com was the place i was talking about where it had better cards than circuit city for less.  Oh by the way, i was more looking for cards around $100, so a 9600 pro is probly too expensive.  I am getting a new computer in about a 3/4 or a year, and all i need is a graphics card that can run Eq2 up until i get that new computer.  Any suggestion?

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

metalfoxus

Try the 9600XT, i have it and i wuv it

Darkmastersh

What is SE?

i have seen videocards with SE

But dont know what does that mean

diegofrgc

Will i play the game?

I have a GeForce FX 5200.

What videocard do you recommend?

I need help, im in a hurry to buy a videocard

Answer Plz!

 

Bobjones1303

A FX 5200 will run Eq2, i have seen the graphics of the game with that video card (my bro's computer has that) in the character customization, and it still looks awsome

 

P.S.:  How much does a radeon 9600 pro cost anyway?

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

diegofrgc

OK

That means i can play the game, thx

Now, what is the recommended videocard?

Someone told me that the FX 5200 is for minimum req

 

DerfelCadarn

FX5200 will run EQ2 at the lowest setting and will still have some lag. If you are looking for a card that is under 130 dollars, I recommed the radeon 9600 pro. You can find a great deal here-http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-219&depa=0. Never buy a SE-it uses a crippled version of 9600-meaning it has cheap memory, lower clock speed and a crappy 64-bit bus. If you cannot afford a 9600 pro, a 9500pro is good card. If your a nvidia fanboy, you can find a FX5500 on newegg for 75 dollars or a FX5700LE for 90 dollars. Remember, look for 128-bit bus or higher.

Bobjones1303

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Originally posted by diegofrgc

OK
That means i can play the game, thx
Now, what is the recommended videocard?
Someone told me that the FX 5200 is for minimum req
 

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There are a few graphics cards below that one that will run Eq2, its low range, but there are lower.

I don't know what to suggest, i'm really not a computer person.  I will probly end up getting (mabye) a radeon 9600 (one of the types of 9600), i have heard good things about them.

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

Bobjones1303

I can't find anything on the radeon 9500 pro.

 

So you would suggest a FX 5500, 9600 pro, or a 9500 pro.  Can you give me links to all of these?

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

NoisyMonkey

I got my card from looking on pricewatch.. its a site that lists cheapest prices on items, I believe I got my geforce fx 5900se for under 200 dollars, I jsut checked and atm 5900's are 170 at cheapest place... pricewatch is best spot to find stuff, any computer hardware... they dont sell ya anything, it jsut links ya to the site that does... so its easier then checking newegg and such. You could play eq2 with a geforce 4 actually... I would not update your cpu or buy a new computer for like a year... in 2005 computers will be alot faster... that is if you do alot of cpu heavy things.. but ps3 and xbox 2 will both be about 9 ghz or more.. so when they are released you might be able to get a new cpu that is even faster... so dont buy a comp thats like 3.2 ghz with ht... because a fake second cpu doesn't beat 3 real ones which is what a ps3 and xbox 2 will both have.. they will be out in 2005 if ya dont know :O

DerfelCadarn

FX 5500(non ultra)- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-197&depa=0

9600 pro- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-219&depa=0

FX5700LE- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-170-051&depa=0

I cannot find anymore 9500 pro, although there were some a few months ago. I really recommend the 9600 pro according to pc gamer, its the best budget card. The ati radeon 9600(basic) are danger because you really dont know what you are buying into. It could be very crippled or very close the 9600 pro. EQ2 uses directx 9 so a MX will not work so well. Xbox 2 and ps3 will not be 9ghz and if they are the use cripped pipe lines. GHz doesn't matter, it all in the design thats why amd 64's perform better than intels chips. There is no chance that the cpu will be 9ghz in 2005, the chip makers are having problems already with 90mm tech.

Bobjones1303

I'm probly going to go with the FX 5500, once i get my older brother's computer when he goes off to collage in 3/4 of a year i'll upgrade that one with a really good graphics card.  FX 5500 should keep me satisfied until then.

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

diegofrgc

????????????????

Why is Radeon 9600 better than GF FX 5700?

I really thought R9600=GFFX 5200

diegofrgc

I have another question.....................i have 256 SDRAM, does that mean i need to buy 512 SDRAM? Can i upgrade my 256 SD RAM to 512 DDR RAM?

DerfelCadarn

If your mobo support SDRAM so you must only use SDRAM, you cannot use both sdram and ddr. Radeon 9600 pro=5600 or 5700(non pro). My bro has a FX5500, and it works good, but he only plays battlefield 1942. My next upgade will be december, when i get a new graphics card(probaly a ati radeon X800 XT)

Bobjones1303

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Originally posted by DerfelCadarn
If your mobo support SDRAM so you must only use SDRAM, you cannot use both sdram and ddr. Radeon 9600 pro=5600 or 5700(non pro). My bro has a FX5500, and it works good, but he only plays battlefield 1942. My next upgade will be december, when i get a new graphics card(probaly a ati radeon X800 XT)

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I just want to make sure, will a geforce FX 5500 will run Eq2?

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

diegofrgc

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, that means i cant have 512 DDR RAM, how the hell am i going to find 512 SDRAM?

No...............wait...............can i change my PC to stop supporting SD and support DDR?How to?

Im screwed

Bobjones1303

I can't decide!!!  Its either FX 5500 or 9600 pro, i know the 9600 pro is better, but its costs more.  Is the 9600 pro really worth the increase in price?

Anyway, do you know if both of these cards run Eq2?!

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

diegofrgc

Ok, im going to start from the beggining.

Im from Mexico, im going to travel to Orlando and Las Vegas on August 20.  So i need to know what videocard should i buy to play EQ2, cuz in Mexico you can find a GeForce FX 5200 for 120 bucks, prices are higher here

If i have SDRAM, does that mean i cant use GeForce FX500+ or Radeon 9600+ ?

DerfelCadarn

Both cards will support EQ2 although my bet is the 9600 pro will work better. The 5700le is a kinda in the middle of the 5500 and 9600pro, so it might be a good card. To diegofrgc- you can use a ddr graphics cards but not ddr memory. IF you want ddr memory you need a new mobo(and cpu mabye). Sdram really will not work well with EQ2.

diegofrgc

SHT, do i really need to buy a new CPU? lol

New PC + Universal Studios + $$$ spent in casino

Whats the difference between SD and DDR?

Bobjones1303

Well, i hope you win big in the casinos.

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-EQ1 character:Grotub, shaman of the Tribunal server

DerfelCadarn

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Originally posted by diegofrgc

SHT, do i really need to buy a new CPU? lol
New PC + Universal Studios + $$$ spent in casino
Whats the difference between SD and DDR?

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What CPU do you own? I could help you out there. SDRAM(standard SDRAM is PC133) is single rate data-means it runs at the memory buses speed. DDR SDRAM is double rate data means it can run at twice the memory buses speed(the standard ddr is now PC3200). You can use DDR graphics cards but not ddr memory on your motherboard.