Upgrading by Christmas...best mid-range card?

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10-29-2003, 05:45 AM
Spaceman Spiff

Upgrading by Christmas...best mid-range card?

Looking for some opinions on my upgrade options.

As it stands, I'm looking to upgrade by this Christmas, perhaps even before.
If it matters, I'm also going to be upgrading my CPU to at least a Athlon XP 2500 or so.

Anyway, since cash is limited, I'm gonna have to stay in the mid-range this year. Absolutely NOTHING over $250.

With that in mind, what would you all say is the BEST card in about the $200 range? ATI, Nvidia, doesn't matter. I have no bias either way, just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Also, one more question. Since I'm going to have to divide up money for these upgrades, which is the best choice for me? Going with a more substantial CPU upgrade and keeping my vid card in the $150-$200 price range, or perhaps only upgrade the CPU slightly and go for a heftier video card upgrade?

If anyone can answer these questions for me, i would be forever in your debt. Much appreciated! :D
10-29-2003, 05:50 AM
lonewolfroger

Well, as I see it, there is two ways you can go. Get a 2500+ and a 9600pro or just get a 9800np and upgrade the cpu later.
10-29-2003, 06:01 AM
Voodoo 5 5500

GeforceFX 5900nu $220 at newegg
10-29-2003, 08:06 AM
2630Goon

geforce fx 5700 ultra or 5900.
10-29-2003, 08:07 AM
mikeysg

Quote:

Originally posted by lonewolfroger
Well, as I see it, there is two ways you can go. Get a 2500+ and a 9600pro or just get a 9800np and upgrade the cpu later.

I agree with lone on this, getting the 9600Pro and XP2500+, or the 9800NP. Why not OC your cpu? It's a T'bred after all, OC the cpu so that it's gonna be less of a bottleneck. Then you can go for the 9800NP - I believe it's a lil below $250. ;) Your choice, I'd suggest you wait for more opinions and sleep on it.:)
10-29-2003, 08:38 AM
Prodigul

IF you can find a 9800np get it, if not 9600 pro a good choice
10-29-2003, 11:20 AM
Intimidator

I think your cpu is fast enough for games, crap i'm still using my p3 1000 for playing games. I would get the 9800np or the 9700pro, i'm not sure if there both priced the same or how much they both are its been a while since i looked at prices. also you may want to take a look with the 5700 and 5900 FX but if it was me i whould stay with ATI.

buy next year (like maybe a month or 2 after new years) you would be able to get a 2600xp for prob 50$ to 75$ so i would wait till then when you get a new cpu
10-29-2003, 12:27 PM
sapasion

Re: Upgrading by Christmas...best mid-range card?

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Looking for some opinions on my upgrade options.

As it stands, I'm looking to upgrade by this Christmas, perhaps even before.
If it matters, I'm also going to be upgrading my CPU to at least a Athlon XP 2500 or so.

Anyway, since cash is limited, I'm gonna have to stay in the mid-range this year. Absolutely NOTHING over $250.

With that in mind, what would you all say is the BEST card in about the $200 range? ATI, Nvidia, doesn't matter. I have no bias either way, just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Also, one more question. Since I'm going to have to divide up money for these upgrades, which is the best choice for me? Going with a more substantial CPU upgrade and keeping my vid card in the $150-$200 price range, or perhaps only upgrade the CPU slightly and go for a heftier video card upgrade?

If anyone can answer these questions for me, i would be forever in your debt. Much appreciated! :D

Best move is to watch of the extreme sales the day after Thanksgiving. Given the current prices I would not be surprised to see Best Buy selling the 5700U for $150 or the 9800 for $175 which is right up your alley. Pair either of these with a Barton 2500 which is OC'd of course and you'll have a decent gaming step up. Eithe card is a major upgrade from your 9000
10-30-2003, 06:01 AM
Thunderbird1GHz

yes he really should overclock his cpu, but maybe his is a tbred A and wont really overclock :( at least shouldnt he run 200fsb x 9 for 1.8GHz? that should be quite easy on a tbred A, if not, use 8.5 or 8x and a higher fsb. as for his card, that one is quite slow, but if he gets a good cpu overclock, any game will fly in 800x600 or lower res with medium or low details since that wont stress the card too much and the cpu can calculate the AI part fast
10-30-2003, 06:23 AM
Jonas79

You can also look at the 9600XT. It's $199 or something and it's a decent card. The 9800np is quite a bit faster though, so if you can find it in your price range, go for it :D

The fx5700U is also a good card in the performance range of a 9600 Pro. I think the fx5900 is out of your price range, but I might be wrong. It seems to be performing OK though.
10-30-2003, 06:29 AM
Thunderbird1GHz

HL2 has been delayed so I wouldnt bother with the XT. Try to grab a cheap 9800, if you cant get one cheap, id either get a budget card and wait for the r420 or keep what you got
10-30-2003, 06:59 AM
Jonas79

Quote:

Originally posted by Thunderbird1GHz
HL2 has been delayed so I wouldnt bother with the XT. Try to grab a cheap 9800, if you cant get one cheap, id either get a budget card and wait for the r420 or keep what you got

There are more reasons for buying the 9600XT than just getting HL2 with it you know ;) I think it's a decent card on its own :) Although it isn't much faster than a 9600 Pro. Of course, if he can find the 9800 cheap, everything is good and merry :D
10-30-2003, 08:49 AM
Jonas79

Look what I found :cool:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...122-176&depa=1

It sure looks like a good deal to me :D And it's in your price range. If I were to buy a card in that price range (and I lived in the US), I'd take a closer look at this one. Should beat the 9600 Pro/XT easy. Not sure about if it can beat the 9800 though...
10-30-2003, 05:52 PM
Boneycat

Here's a 5900 for a tad less:

http://www.buyxtremegear.com/evga5900128r.html

(and no I don't work for this company...although I wouldn't object to getting a finders fee if he buys it :D )
10-30-2003, 09:32 PM
Spaceman Spiff

Many, many thanks to all who have replied. :D

I've been seeing some rather good prices on Nvidia cards recently, and the last two links provided are perfect examples.
But I'm rather ignorant to Nvidia cards these days, haven't been in the loop for a year now.
How does the 5900 series compare to the Radeon 9600 XT or 9800np?
10-31-2003, 04:27 AM
Jonas79

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Many, many thanks to all who have replied. :D

I've been seeing some rather good prices on Nvidia cards recently, and the last two links provided are perfect examples.
But I'm rather ignorant to Nvidia cards these days, haven't been in the loop for a year now.
How does the 5900 series compare to the Radeon 9600 XT or 9800np?

The 5900 is about as fast as the 9800np and quite a bit faster than a 9600XT. In OpenGL games, the 5900 is faster than the 9800np but in some games the 9800 beats its. The 9800np is faster in 3DMark also if that means anything to you.
10-31-2003, 04:39 AM
Spaceman Spiff

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonas79
The 5900 is about as fast as the 9800np and quite a bit faster than a 9600XT. In OpenGL games, the 5900 is faster than the 9800np but in some games the 9800 beats its. The 9800np is faster in 3DMark also if that means anything to you.

Thanks very much. :)

So then this is the order in which I should go after these cards?

1.) ATI 9800np
2.)Nvidia 5900
3.)ATI 9600XT

Is that right?

Sorry for all the questions, but since I dont upgrade very often, I really want to get the best bang for my buck. I'm willing to spend an extra $20-$30 to get a faster or "better" card.
10-31-2003, 04:46 AM
lonewolfroger

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Thanks very much. :)

So then this is the order in which I should go after these cards?

1.) ATI 9800np
2.)Nvidia 5900
3.)ATI 9600XT

Is that right?

Sorry for all the questions, but since I dont upgrade very often, I really want to get the best bang for my buck. I'm willing to spend an extra $20-$30 to get a faster or "better" card.

I would put the 5700Ultra at number 3 and the 9600XT at number 4.
10-31-2003, 04:48 AM
Spaceman Spiff

Oh, 1 more thing:

I'm seeing alot of ads for the "Radeon 9800 SE", and in paranthesis it says "non-pro". Is this "SE" line any different than regular "Non-pros", or is this something else entirely.:confused:

*tips hat to Ati for making their product line so well defined*:mad:
10-31-2003, 04:54 AM
lonewolfroger

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Oh, 1 more thing:

I'm seeing alot of ads for the "Radeon 9800 SE", and in paranthesis it says "non-pro". Is this "SE" line any different than regular "Non-pros", or is this something else entirely.:confused:

*tips hat to Ati for making their product line so well defined*:mad:

IMHO, stay as far away as you can from anything with a SE on the end of it, they are in no way shape or form can even come close to a 9800np and by them putting a np in there, IMO, they are trying to made people think it is , so they can sell them.:mad:
10-31-2003, 04:59 AM
Spaceman Spiff

Quote:

Originally posted by lonewolfroger
I would put the 5700Ultra at number 3 and the 9600XT at number 4.

Oh, ok. So what would go at #2?
10-31-2003, 05:00 AM
Jonas79

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Oh, 1 more thing:

I'm seeing alot of ads for the "Radeon 9800 SE", and in paranthesis it says "non-pro". Is this "SE" line any different than regular "Non-pros", or is this something else entirely.:confused:

*tips hat to Ati for making their product line so well defined*:mad:

Well, they cut the memory bandwith to half on the SE, and that means a big performance hit compared to the normal 9800np, so you should stay away from it. It's not good performance for the money. The price difference is too small to justify such a performance hit.
10-31-2003, 05:03 AM
Jonas79

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Oh, ok. So what would go at #2?

You got #1 and #2 right :) At least according to me, so

#1 9800 (not SE)
#2 fx5900

Some ppl might want to shift places. It depends which games you play.
10-31-2003, 05:04 AM
lonewolfroger

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff
Oh, ok. So what would go at #2?

I would line them up like this #1.9800np #2.5900nu #3. 5700U #4. 9600XT, although there will be a few that might disagree with me.
10-31-2003, 05:06 AM
lonewolfroger

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonas79
Well, they cut the memory bandwith to half on the SE, and that means a big performance hit compared to the normal 9800np, so you should stay away from it. It's not good performance for the money. The price difference is too small to justify such a performance hit.

The main thing, wrong with them is that they only have 4 pipelines, not eight like the 9800np.

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