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Graphic Card Question
i_killa_you
Member Posts: 28
My family is planning to get a new graphic card soon, and my dad asked me to ask you guys if this is a good card: Viper Radeon 9600 XT 256 MB AGP
We are getting this for $199.99 (Canadian) and we also get 3 free PC games, Tomb Raider Angel of Darkness, Hitman 2, and Deus Ex.
Can you tell me if this is a good deal? And if this is a good card?
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
Comments
Here is the 256mb card line, starting with the cheapest.
I couldn't find 'viper', so I'm not sure where it fits in. I'd say its probably a Pro 256 (the $103 one), doubtful its the XT.
$90 - RADEON 9600 256MB
$103 - RADEON 9600 Pro 256MB
$133 - RADEON 9600 XT 256MB
$177 - RADEON 9800 256MB
$198 - RADEON 9800 Pro 256MB
$203 - RADEON X700 Pro 256mb
$306 - RADEON 9800 XT 256MB
$345 - RADEON X800 Pro 256mb
$451 - RADEON X800 XT 256mb
If -you- were buying, and not your dad, I'd say to opt for the 9800 pro for $198. The games, unless you like them, I'd toss aside.
But heck, I use a 128mb, 9600 SE. And I can run any games ranging from Everequest to Doom 3. Granted not on MAXXED OUT SUPER SETTINGS, but Doom 3 can even run on just below max, which I hear is great. So I'd say your safe with any of the 256s listed above, under the assumption you don't have a 40" monitor, 100 mbs of ram, and a .5 gig processor.
If you have any 'typical' system, with like 512-1 gig of ram, 2 gig processor, and a moderate monitor, you don't need a super card. Those are typically for people with large monitors, who want to max out settings, etc. And msot MMORPGS are in the market for customers, and you don't get customers by having the highest possible requirements, calling for the newest and best video cards, and what have you.
These prices are averages, all from Pricewatch.
His prices are canadian... not US.
Don't give him US prices.
_____________________________
Life is just a huge game.
Everything comes and go.
But since its doubtful you will (since your job is just to comment):
$90 US - RADEON 9600 256MB - $109.86 CA
$103 US - RADEON 9600 Pro 256MB - $125.73 CA
$133 US - RADEON 9600 XT 256MB - $162.35 CA
$177 US - RADEON 9800 256MB - $216.06 CA
$198 US - RADEON 9800 Pro 256MB - $241.70 CA
$203 US - RADEON X700 Pro 256mb - $247.80 CA
$306 US - RADEON 9800 XT 256MB - $373.53 CA
$345 US - RADEON X800 Pro 256mb - $421.14 CA
$451 US - RADEON X800 XT 256mb - $550.54 CA
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
Its hard to say, the two important specs are processor and Ram. Do you know how much RAM you have?
You can tell by going to:
Start> Control Panel> (Performance and Maintenance if your in Category View)> System
Right below your processort speed in the bottom right it'll have your RAM listed.
That isn't true. The more video memory on the card doesn't always mean the better card. The card allows you to run at a higher resolution with more AA or it makes up for the lack of speed as it caches as much as it can so it doesn't have to rely on the VPU so much. There are plenty of cards that are 256 MB that are much worse than 128 MB.
"Feel free to hate me, but hate me for the right reasons."
"Your still ignorant if you believe the first thing you see when the blindfold is removed."
"Be smart enough to know I'm smarter than you."
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
Yeah, for your system that should be fine. Just try to limit background programs.
Get the video card with the best technical specs. you can afford. I'm not sure about prices in Canada, but a 128mb Radeon 9800pro (256-bit memory interface - important!) will be around the same price as your Viper card.
To buy a card because of it's software bundle is a sucker thing to do. You are a marketing executive's wet dream. You want the best card, not the best bundle. You'll also notice, the bigger the software bundle, the bigger the price, so I wouldn't call them free games.
In any case, those games are quite old.
Don't get that card. Even if it comes bundled with 100 free games, it's still a 9600XT.
With a P4 and 512mb of RAM, a 9800pro would suit you well.
With the information posted about card prices, figure out what card your dad is buying, and decide whether you're even interested in the games that come with it. Your dad is willing to pay C$200 and my guess is its for one of the lower end cards and you're actually paying for the "free" games.
If you explain to him that you're not interested in those games, he might be willing to buy a better card (without games at a lower price) and buy you a game you do want.
Nothing beats a trial but a failure, so do your research and ask.
$133 US= about $199 CAD.
So price is about the same.
It is a very good card you can play any mmorpg out there with it np even EQ2 at the medium setting without any problems.
Just a warning: ATI does have problems with their drivers at times. I had to go to a Geoforce because I kept having issues with their drivers that had something to do with the compatibility with my motherboard or something.
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.
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MMORPGs I am currently subscribed too: Everquest, Asherons Call, Knight Online, EVE Online, FFXI.