GRAPHIC CARD CRITERION

[T-MAC-power]

Hi all, I read all of topics related to graphic cards and i know graphic card choice is very important to play a game fast..

But a question makes me think that: All of game producers and tecnical members say: minimum sys req: 128 MB and above or 32 MB or above...

BUT, i know 128 MB ATI RADEON 9600XT is much more faster than 256 MB GeForce FX5700... So which card should be bought?

Video Memory is the unique criterion? But we see 128 MB card is faster than a 256 MB based card due to its GPU POWER...

[bishibashiboy]

Having more memory (ie. 256MB vs 128MB) is useless on a card with so little memory BANDWIDTH, such as the FX5700 or even a 9600XT for that matter. They just won't be able to take advantage of it.

Go with the Radeon in this case.
The nVidia FX series seriously blows.

[T-MAC-power]

I mean, why do game producers and techicans point graphic criterion as MB?

Ok. I give 256 MB GeFORCE 5500 them and say: You said this game runs 128 MB and above, but it won't work. Then i say : BUT 128 MB Radeon 9600XT is MUCH MORE FASTER!!!

[threatlockz]

minimum sys req points to the amount of RAM you have on your mainboard, and the graphic card thing is mostly because they associate it with the generation of cards. e.g. a 32mb never has hardware T&L features... a 128mb always supports directx8.0, etc...

as for buying a card, just read review on the net about them. or ask around here what's the best bang for the buck at the moment, we'll help you out.

[T-MAC-power]

i know but sys req was displayed as "128 or 64 MB+ graphic card".

Meanwhile, what does T&L support mean?

[threatlockz]

then they prolly need a directx8 capable card...
T&L = textures & lighting.

[beau_boy04]

I have a MSI GeForce 4 Ti 4200 8X AGP 64 DDR Mem. Mem speed is 512 MHz and core is 250. I bought this vid by the time Geforce 4 ti 4600 or 4800 came out so say 2-3 years ago. I'm planning on upgrading my vid card coz most recent games are requirement by now a minimun of 64 Mem and since mine is 64 i think i might go for a 128 but I keep searching and searching and I can't find a good sucessor for my ti 4200 with more than 250/512 for less than $100

Any suggestions?

[T-MAC-power]

In my opinion, Look for the graphic card's GPU. A powerful GPU with an acceptable video memory brings you to high performance. But i think, EA made Frame rate limitation for this game although you disable V-SYNC. So, don't expect more increase...

[threatlockz]

for max 100$, this is the best you can do:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 814164025R

that's actually a pretty good card, it runs BF2, HL2, Doom3 @ high details on 1024x768.

[T-MAC-power]

BUT 9600XT is much more expensive. What is this opposition? AND 9600XT is 128-bit memory.

[threatlockz]

the main difference is the core clock... 9600XT has clock speeds of 500mhz and up.

you asked 100$, 9800 is the best you can do. if you can spend more, get a nvidia 6600GT.

[T-MAC-power]

i know but ,

Wasn't 9800 produced after 9600XT? ATI develops their more powerful chips as increasing model name. I mean 9800 > 9600. ALthough 9600+XT.

Which one is newer?

[threatlockz]

i think it was 9600 - 9800 - 9600XT. but in performance its 9600-9600XT <<<< 9800

[T-MAC-power]

BUT 9600XT is more expensive as you mentioned about core clock? This is paradox... For ex 9600XT = about 170-180 USD, you pointed out Rosewill 9800 is about 100 USD. Is that paradox because of card manufacturers?

[threatlockz]

i never said it makes any sense... it's just marketing i guess. here's an interesting article that will give you a clearer picture about it:
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/action/ ... icle/1671/

[T-MAC-power]

I read the article. The graphic shows FPSs as summary, so when you compare current prices which GPU is more logical to buy: 9600XT or 9800 Pro. I know 9800 pro is much more faster but in my country i can't find a 9800 Pro about 100-200 USD range.... Thanks. (You've already pointed to Core clock, but we know FPS is our criterion...)

[threatlockz]

well, 9800 would be the best... strange that you cant find it over there.

[T-MAC-power]

Ok. I found a 9800 but it is more expensive about 50 USD more than 9600XT. HIS ICEq 9800Pro 128 MB DDR. But although my system doesn't support Pci-express, it's more logical to buy a Pci-e based card than AGP interface...

[threatlockz]

... what?
radeon 9800 doesn't come in PCIe. and the 50usd is well worth the performance difference between those 2 cards.

[T-MAC-power]

9800 comes with pci-e also AGP.But i can only find 1 or 2 9800 cards and i don't know their quality: Powercolor and HIS...
I supposed to find ASUS A9800 but i can never find...

[threatlockz]

powercolor and HIS aren't as top notch as Asus is, but they will still be good cards. if you cant find another one, grab one of those.