GeForce Buying Help?

[MattH]

Mr. Raedon 9000 pro has been a good friend- he works well with any computer I put in him. But sadly, he's OLD AND BUSTED and I'm looking for some NEW HOTNESS . I've fixed my eye on the GeForce FX 256MB line- specifically the 5600 (I'm not that rich ).

I've got several questions. The first is wether the 256MB worth the cost (~$160)". Another is what manufacturer/brand to buy from- pricegrabber lists five or six! .

Have you had any serious problems with the GeForce? What's your opinion?

[mrmitchell]

You can also get an ATI Radeon 9800.

If you want to play Doom 3 or Half-Life 2, you'll need a Radeon 9800 (I think) or what you've mentioned, a GeForce FX 5600. The rumour is that Doom 3 plays better on ATI cards and HL2 plays better on nVidia cards. (I may have gotten that transposed, though.)

EDIT: I'm sorry, it appears I've transposed everything--the FX 5900 and Radeon 9800 Pro, I think. Better yet, just ****it and wait for some geek who's built a vidcard out of socks and pipe cleaners to tell you what to get.

[The Mad Monk]

I think they always did well against the forces of Zoltar.

[MattH]

I think they always did well against the forces of Zoltar.

It seems that the GeForce 5600 is the equivalent of the Raedon 9600. The only Raedon in 256MB format (9800 pro) costs $435- the same as an equivalent GF. I don't need $400 worth of performance.

I looked at the 5600 because it was modern and had 256 MB for the same price as the 9600. The games I play include UT 2003, Rainbow 6 3, RON, Morrowind and Neverwinter Nights among others.

[mrmitchell]

Maximum PC's current "Best Budget Videocard" is the Radeon 9600.

Honestly, I seem to have a gravitation towards ATI myself, but buy whatever suits your needs.

[MattH]

I like ATI and I've always recomended them, but here the gap seemstoo large... Off to tomshardware.

[MattH]

The GeForece 5600 Ultra beat the 9600 Pro in all but two UT 2003 benches.

[MattH]

...But overall the reviewer says the R9600 is better.

AARGH!! It's tearing my mind in two...

[mrmitchell]

Flip a coin. You can't go wrong.

[Jon Shafer]

I've had hell with my ATi Radeon drivers... though that was a while ago.

[MattH]

No problems with Raedon on XP pro...

[faded glory]

Nvidia GFX

all the way

ATI go with your budget buster 9800. Really good card.

[iamlod]

I have no advice to give after I shamed myself by buying 512MB or RAM that wasn't compatable with my computer. Anyone want 512 MB sdram for AMD Thunderbird/Duron newer motherboards?
Anyone have 512 MB of ram compatable with a Dell Dimension 8200? I'll trade you...

I've been looking at video cards too. I have a 64MB GeForce 2, and it's just time for an upgrade... GeForce 5200 for $99 might be just the one for me...

[Ned]

I have a Radeon 9700 Pro. I can run every game fairly well. So, I would recommend buying the latest Radeon, the 9800, for best performance.

[Atahualpa]

As some tests showed the extra price for 256MB Ram on Gfx cards wont do ANYTHING at all currently.
The 9800 Pro 128 and the 9800 Pro 256 perform EXACTLY the same!
You may need it for future but as it is currently there isnt really a benefit and probably by the time it is, you'll be upgrading again anyway.

As I have heard all ATI cards will have a successor about next month or so.
Btw, what game did came out that you want to upgrade your gfx?

ata