Would it be worth it REALLY?

[RockNRoll]

If by some supernatural means I somehow became a millionaire and decided to by this: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-150-044&depa=1

Would it be worth it? Or would this: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-128-188&depa=1 Make more sense?

I know one is 256mb 256 bit and the other is 128mb 128 bit, but how many things these days need more than 128 bit memory bandwith for the price?

[RamonGTP]

You'd be foolish to buy that 5950 when you can get a 6800 for $85 less.

[RockNRoll]

Ok fine... then contrast the 6800 and FX 5700 ultra...:rolleyes:

Shouldn't all you need right now is a 5700 ultra?

[RamonGTP]

Originally posted by RockNRoll

Shouldn't all you need right now is a 5700 ultra?

That really depends on what you're going to use it for. If you're a hardcore gamer, want to play the latest games like Doom3, HL2, FarCry, Painkiller, etc etc. And you want to play them at decent frames with fairly high detail settings, then no, its not enough by a long shot.

If all you're interested in is playing some of the older games that aren't quite as demanding, like UT2003/2004, Call of Duty, BF1942, etc etc. Or if you don't mind playing the newer games at reduced details and possibly resolution as well, then its fine.

If you're not going to play any games at all, then even a 5700 Ultra is overkill.

[jamil5454]

The 5700 ultra can play all of today's games pretty well with medium to high quality, but in a year or two you might have to drop the quality down to low or very low. In two years the 5700 ultra will be considered a low-end mainstream card just like how the 9500/9500pro will be in about 8 months. If you go with a 6800 model, it will still be considered decent in a couple years (following the radeon 9700 model which came out in fall 2002). It all depends on how much you want to spend. Personally, I'd go with a 6800 but right now my system would hold it back.

[RockNRoll]

So if all I wanted it for was some older stuff like 1-2 years old or like NFS UG: Then 5700 ultra would be fine?

Not interested in Doom 3 though. LOL.

But if I was would I be able to play it in 1024 x 768 x32 at medium/high details would it work decently?

[RamonGTP]

Yes, it'll be fine for that.

[CrazyCrusher]

I wouldnt even go as far as a 5700 if im only interested in older games, 5200 would even play that fine, prolly even MX400 or onboard.

[CaptHandsome]

Get a 9600XT, send me the voucher for HL2, and be done w/it. 9600XT should cover all bases for what u wanna do. Especially NFS UG. Go with Saphire brand.

[crusious31]

Originally posted by CaptHandsome
Get a 9600XT, send me the voucher for HL2, and be done w/it. 9600XT should cover all bases for what u wanna do. Especially NFS UG. Go with Saphire brand.

A voucher for HL2; does that come with all 9600XT's?

[CaptHandsome]

All ATi XT models (9800XT, 9600XT, and i think the x800XT) come w/a voucher for HL2 when it comes out.

[RamonGTP]

Originally posted by CrazyCrusher
I wouldnt even go as far as a 5700 if im only interested in older games, 5200 would even play that fine, prolly even MX400 or onboard.

Those would play the older ones at medium settings. Atleast with the 5700 he can play the older ones at high settings adn the new games at medium.

[RockNRoll]

Ok, so, I'd be able to play stuff like NFS UG, NFS UG2, One Must Fall Battlegrounds, and other stuff like that with a 5700 Ultra at medium/high details?

And I'm also a 3D modeler. :)

Now, I'm not buying a card yet cuz I'm nowhere near the $$$ cost... LOL. Hopefully I wil be when I get a 3D games resource site up. Just wanted to know for future reference.:D

[Midknyte]

5900xt cards are better than 5700Us if you want to stick with nvidia.

http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.cfm?articleid=438&catid=2

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

[RamonGTP]

For the 4th time... Yes, it will be fine for those games.

[PacNW CE]

Buy the most advanced card you can afford. the 5700 is scrap in comparrison to a 5900xt. Regaurdless, a 9800 pro will do you just fine.

[Midknyte]

yep. for that class, 9800pro is first, then 5900xt.

[RockNRoll]

Ok, now, I dunno if anyone's heard of a game called Hidden and Dangerous Deluxe, but I have it (it was a FREE download!!!) and I noticed that thing that Porsche was talking about. I turned AF on and I got a dramatic FPS drop. Is this mostly because of my old GeForce 2 chipset and SDRAM? And would this happen with a 5700U or 5900XT?

[RamonGTP]

Turning AF on will always result in a FPS drop, but it will be a lot less severe with the more powerfull cards.

[Yoshi]

What is your budget?

[skytop]

Relax everyone!
First, (like he said) he has the little job of becoming a millionaire before he can buy anything. Piece'a cake ... :eek:

[RockNRoll]

Yeh like I said, for future reference. Right now I don't think I'd be able to... LOL.

But probably no more than $200.

[Midknyte]

by the time you get it, the 9800pro should be around $200. The 5900XTs are selling for well under $200 already.

[RockNRoll]

Ok thanks.:t

[Yoshi]

for $200 the 9800Pro can't be beat

[skytop]

I am seeing the standard 6800 128MB now selling for $279. shipped. With its additional newer generation performance, it seems to be a no brainer over the older ATI 9800 or NVidia 5950.
Also, for what it is worth, when it is again time to upgrade, a 6800 will have intrinsically better resale value down the line than an even older generation board.

I was about to buy a 128MB 6800GT but decided to step up to a BFG (accessible live support and lifetime warantee) 6800 GT Over Clocked (still higher speed equiv to Ultra). It was $399. at Best Buy. I am extremely pleased with the board.

I never experienced such dramatic improvement in speed with any cpu upgrade over the years as I have with this video card upgrade. It is remarkable.

[RamonGTP]

Its kinda pointless to be asking for advise for future reference unless it is in the VERY near future, like a month or so at most. Much longer than that and all the info you've gotten here is almost totally useless.

[RockNRoll]

Well, I'm HOPING it will be... LOL.

I just gotta sell an older Celeron 333, get a little more $$$, and then persuade parents that paying $570-$580 on a new PC is NOT expensive...:rolleyes:

[skytop]

Holy smokes! I was just completing some time displacement travel and was in the year 2078. I happened to be in a major antique store checking the place out. There was an old but mint Celron 333 computer that was a super desireable collectable according to the manager. He was asking $975,000 for it!

RockNRoll, you're a lucky guy! ;)

[CaptHandsome]

Hey Rock, I noticed you mentioned you do 3D design. You may want to look at the FireGL line of ATi cards. They are aimed toward the design market (CAD, 3DSMax, etc). The most expensive model is something like 500, the cheapest can be had for about 120. Somewhere in the middle for 200. It will perform in games pretty well. And its great for 3D design. Just something you may wanna think about.

[RockNRoll]

WOOOOOW!!! REALLY??????????????????????????????
I was thinking more like, $150... But then again, it's got not so good stuff in it... LOL. Like, 128mb RAM, 8mb NVidia Riva, 56k modem, and small harddrive... Like 2 mb. So I wonder what I can get.

And just went back to Cape Cod's dump and got loads of stuff. Including a Turtle Beach PCI sound card!!! WOOT!!! LOL. Beats my ISA Sound Blaster 16. And got a Slot2 PII 266 that I can sell too.

Thanks.
Hm, well, I probably do a little more gaming than 3D stuff, but not a lot more. And I think I'm a solid NVidia fan...:rolleyes: LOL.

Might get a 5900XT.:D