Coolsquirtle's VIDEO CARD BUYING GUIDE FOR NOOBSS

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Tootin' one's own horn huh?!? :tongue:

Looks nice, but where's the smilies? 😎

Also I think the Graphics card FAQ would be at least 2-3 times as long, and need ALOT of links (since we've lost that temporary picture posting ability), and alot of tables/ists.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK :evil:
 
Hey Coolsquirtle, I've made a final version of the faq (it's currently at beta stage)

Check it!

I'm gonna submit it to Fredi

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spitfire I LOVE YOU!!!

I'll work on the high end tonight hehehehehehehe

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF
 
Do you like the "FAQ of the FAQ" idea?

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I worked 2½ hours continuosly to made the final version. Good to hear that you liked it.

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bumping bump!!

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF
 
part 3 coming in 1 hour!! excited?? LOL

spitfire i think i should have names for each part

PART 1- To DX9 or not to DX9
PART 2- Where's nVidia? Oh there u are Flip-chip
PART 3- THE CLASH OF THE TITANS!!! and MATROX.......
PART 4- WHY can't all the brand get along and merge...
PART 5- Isn't more always better?
PART 6- I'm CADDING what should i get?
PART 7- My videocard's not booting, again......

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF
 
first of all refer to this post

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=362137#362137" target="_new">http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=362137#362137</A>

That post is for people who's bored and wanna know about the gurus of the Graphic Fourm

anyway
There are three types of buyer
Cheapass buyers (Phial~~~lol j/k)
Kind rich buyers (Me)
RICH ASS BUYER (Venom guy)
now let's go on to the most debatable topic in VIDEO CARD HISTORY!! THE "RICH ASS BUYERS"

PART 3- CLASH OF THE TITANS....... and Matrox
Cheapass Buyers
Price Range- $350-$oo(this mean infinite)
available cards-
nVidia GeForce FX 5800
nVidia GeForce FX 5800Ultra
nVidia GeForce FX 5900
nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra
ATi Radeon 9700pro
ATi Radeon 9800
ATi Radeon 9800pro
Matrox Parhelia 128/256MB
Intel eXtreme Graphic 2
just look at these crazy things now to the pros and cons

nVidia GeForce FX 5800
Pro- The best thing nVidia could offer when 9700 pro was pwning them, warms u in the winter, and give a buzzing sound when u think it's too quiet, DX9support wannabe

Con- Expensive but their consider collectable items, LOUD, the FX-flow is a dustbuster, so hot it can be a griller in the summer, NoT overclockable

<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--nVidia GeForce FX 5800,sfc--1.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--nVidia GeForce FX 5800,sfc--1.html</A>

nVidia GeForce FX 5800Ultra
Pro- Third fastest card out there, DX9 support wannabe, warms u in the winter, and give a buzzing sound when u think it's too quiet

Con- Expensive but their consider collectable items, LOUD, the FX-flow is a dustbuster, so hot it can be a griller in the summer, NoT overclockable

<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--GeForce FX 5800 Ultra,sfc--1.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--GeForce FX 5800 Ultra,sfc--1.html</A>

nVidia GeForce FX 5900
Pro- Something nVidia fnally did right, DX9 support, FAST, bling bling HSF, somewhat future proof

Con- Expensive,not as good in IQ then ATi

<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--405,keyword--nVidia GeForce FX 5900,sfc--1.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--405,keyword--nVidia GeForce FX 5900,sfc--1.html</A>

nVidia GeForce FX 5900 Ultra
Pro- One of the fastest out there, DX9 support, future prove, something everyone wants, BLING BLING HSF!
Con - expensive, not as good in IQ then ATi
<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search__cat_id--405,prod_id--8780885,keyword--nVidia GeForce FX 5900 Ultra,ir--191.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search__cat_id--405,prod_id--8780885,keyword--nVidia GeForce FX 5900 Ultra,ir--191.html</A>

ATi Radeon 9700pro
Pro- Best Bang for the Buck, DX9 support, fast, awesome Image quality
Con- Kinda hard to find

<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__search_box--1,keyword--ATi+Radeon+9700pro,cat_id--405,SEARCH_GO.x--6,SEARCH_GO.y--5,ir--251.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__search_box--1,keyword--ATi+Radeon+9700pro,cat_id--405,SEARCH_GO.x--6,SEARCH_GO.y--5,ir--251.html</A>

ATi Radeon 9800
Pro- Fast, DX9 support, pretty good value, future proof, awesome Image quality
Con- not as fast as FX5900

<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--ATi Radeon 9800,sfs--1.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--ATi Radeon 9800,sfs--1.html</A>

ATi Radeon 9800pro
Pro- One of the fastest cards out there, DX9 support, future proof, cheaper than FX5900, awesome Image quality
Con- No Bling Bling HSF

<A HREF="http:// http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__search_box--1,keyword--ATi+Radeon+9800+pro,cat_id--460103,SEARCH_GO.x--12,SEARCH_GO.y--8,ir--808.html" target="_new">http:// http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__search_box--1,keyword--ATi+Radeon+9800+pro,cat_id--460103,SEARCH_GO.x--12,SEARCH_GO.y--8,ir--808.html</A>

Matrox Parhelia 128/256MB
pro- IQ that'll make u think the thing in the screen is real, multi-monitor support, great rendering abilities
Con- can't do 3d, expensive, for people wants extreme Image quality

<A HREF="http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--Matrox Parhelia,sfc--1.html" target="_new">http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__cat_id--460103,keyword--Matrox Parhelia,sfc--1.html</A>

Intel eXtreme Graphic 2
Pro- Built in the mobo (WOW) and since it's eXtreme it must be good.......right?
Con- hmmm..... i don't think it has any~~~

I know fanboy will come rushing at me, no but R9800pro wastes FX5900 in this website and some people will same MATROX rox all and some will say FX5900 pwns 9800pro. Along with all the Cheating and stuff. SO!! this FAQ is base on as if there is not cheats nor anything. Therefore FX5900 kicks 9800pro arse with the 44.03 drivers

ANYWAYS, in this battle of the titans, FX5900 is the best around but the best bang for the buck is the R9700pro. You can argue all u want with things such as

Q: R9800pro wastes FX5900 with AA and AF turned on
A: No it doesn't
Q: But nVidia cheated and they really suck alot
A: Not my problem
Q: Your a freaking nVidiot
A: so?
Q: I think u got it all wrong
A: no i didn't
Q: Ur a biased $*)(*#$
A: Hey ur not making the FAQ, i am
Q: Why are u supporting FX5900 soo much? R9800 kicks "hookey"
A: okay Mr.ATisalesman
Q: AGAIN! nVidia are cheating losers
A: do u play 3Dmark 2003 everyday or Doom3?
Q: but they cheat in games too
A: does it matter?
Q: I think ur "unintelligent" and i'm gonna stop everyone from reading this
A: i'm just help the noobs out, go right ahead
Q: i am a guru that knows everything and UR WRONG
A: that's ur problem not mine

Now that will answer all those useless flame comment that will be fired upon me. I know that nVidia cheated and i think they should fix it BUT i still think FX5900 is a very capable card and it can beat 9800pro. So my comments stand.

EDIT: eden hows "hookey" and "unintelligent" sound?? lol


Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Coolsquirtle on 08/16/03 02:03 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
cheapass buyers... hahahaha


=P

*thrashes coolsquirtle with a blunt object*



btw Spitfire got the sticky. i dont agree with teh stuff he wrote tho. sucks kinda

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*dodges and throws a dustbuster at Phial*

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF
 
btw Spitfire got the sticky. i dont agree with teh stuff he wrote tho. sucks kinda
Click to expand...
So I'm not alone.

I personally thought that one made by GreatGrapeApe would've been not only funny, but much more impartial.


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Squirtle, you did a good job with the link feedback, but LOSE the "Ass" words. A FAQ typically should be neutral, no biased opinion, no personality from the person, like what you wrote as commentary (save for smart humor, check Ars Technica for that one).

And do make sure to properly seperate parts and be simple and directive. It is understandable that there are many FAQs in this forum, but we must take the most important ones and try to keep it simple when answering. Again my best point of reference would be the RAM FAQ. "What is CAS" is prolly the most asked question out there in RAM-world.

UPDATE: I just skimmed through the HDD Faqs. I must say they are the prime example of what I am conveying to you beginners to FAQ Editing. Take their example. Notice how there is slight humor but it does not involve or indicate user maturity, it's neutral for the most part so the reader can laugh along and go on. Again take this criticism as suggestive.

I still think we should've waited till Ape came back, and we did a thread like yours where you have discussions over a preliminary FAQ outlook, rather than the rushed and non-professional attitude Spitfire adopted by contacting Fredi behind us and posting such an early undevelopped FAQ.
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Site has now even more sexy members, for your pleasure.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Eden on 08/16/03 01:32 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
i dont think spitfire did a bad job , he just made it kinda too technical, but i thought that what a FAq is suppose to be, in the end, the FAQ belongs to me, and let spitfire have a shot at it, if everyone hates it i guess i'll give the permission to edit my faq to Grape. spitfire is no doing a bad job, it's just a bit technical~~ and if u guys are going to replace my FAQ with a better one, i'll be pissed but hey, i ain't that great~ so be it~lol

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF
 
Ti4200 AGP8X version are awesome budget cards. I got mine for $115 and couldn't be happier, it'll hold me off for another 6 months. I play SOF2 Multiplayer with 4XAA and 8XAF with all settings high @ 1024x768 and average about 120fps. Freaking card oWns and loves to overclock as well but I leave it stock since mine doesn't have heatsinks on the ram modules.

P4 2.4C @ 3.0GHz 1.525V Stock HSF
Abit IS7 BIOS v1.3 GAT Auto
Corsair XMS 512MB TwinX3200C2 2-3-3-6
GeForce4 Ti4200 AGP8X 128MB
Seagate Barracuda 7220.7 80GB SATA
 
btw Spitfire got the sticky. i dont agree with teh stuff he wrote tho. sucks kind
Click to expand...
Point out the things that you think wrong, I'll try to correct them. You're not helping me with a single line post

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I personally thought that one made by GreatGrapeApe would've been not only funny, but much more impartial.
Click to expand...
Where's the partial things? Point out.

BTW, this is actually not a FAQ. This is a buyers' guide. I think when Coolsquirtle will complete the technical faq, then it will look much better.

And an unfinished FAQ/guide is going to speed up the finalizing process.

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ok


sorry, i didnt mean anything bad by it


no one is going to agree on everything =))


ill post what i think i should be changed when i get home.


overall , a VERY good thread . and you worked hard on it, congrats !

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Only reason I pointed that out is because its under your $300 range not cuz its 'high end'.

Athlon 1700+, Epox 8RDA (NForce2), Maxtor Diamondmax Plus 9 80GB 8MB cache, 2x256mb Crucial PC2100 in Dual DDR, Geforce 3, Audigy, Z560s, MX500
 
Hey, Hey cool it has begun. Thanks for the work. Bee busy, but I have the weekend off after this morning so I'll see what I can come up with.

Sorry but I <b>HAVE</b> to be critical here so don't take it personally.

Things that need to be changed IMO;

- Less Spaces, way to much space in between stuff.

- Lose the Recommended card section, just put a comparison (put a caveat saying under most situations, blah, blah). The recomendations are too long, will change constantly based on price, and will also become obsolete with newer cards. A better example would be something that is agreed upon (more or less) like FX5200<GF4ti=FX5200U=FX5600<FX5600U-R.1<FX5600U-R.2<FX5800<FX5800U<FX5900<FX5900U.

- I'd also prefer a link to a complete (or semi-complete) list of all/most cards <A HREF="http://www.tech-report.com/etc/comparo/graphics/" target="_new">Like This</A>.

- Brands to avoid I'd add GigaCube (or their new name or A/B) to ATI.

- Needs ALOT more technical stuff but I assume that is to come?

- Where are th main stay FAQ requests? Do I need AGP 8X? What is AGP X? What is the volage of AGP X? What is AGP 3.0/2.0/1.0, etc? (something like <A HREF="http://www.directron.com/15agpguide.html" target="_new">This</A> What is Pro vs non-Pro; Ultra versus non-Ultra (explaining there are no non-pro/ultras, that's just our term)? Which one is better ATI or nVidia or Matrox (good time to link to CoolS's post maybe)? What is all this about cheating? And all that good stuff.

- There is no mention of 2D vs. 3D quality, nor is there a description of Pro/Workstation vs Gaming Cards.

- Brief description with links to AA and AF (inlcuding methods not used by ATI & nV [ie Fragment])

- Quick Intro menu (so people can scroll to the area of their general interest/question)

- A list of good review sites (linked of course) other than THG ([H], Anand, nVnews, Rage3D, Digit-Life, xBitLabs, etc.), plus the news breaking sites, (Inquirer, Register, and Xbit again)

- a Brief description of why 3Dmk01 and 3Dmk03 are different and why Bungholio marks don't mean anything in the real world, they just help everyone get a standard judge of th 'known' universe, etc. Perhaps a discussion of why Benchmaking is under fire, or link to that info.

- a Glossar of terms or a link to a glossary of terms would be good.

- The explicit statement that the information provided from this forum is free an shoul be regarded as such and should be taken at face-value (do your own damn research if you want a guarantee!). And also a reminder that Google and Pricewatch/NewEgg all are still operating so USE them!

- Mention about the idea of buying a card in anticipation of a game (don't count on it, wait 'til the game arrives if you are really woried).

- A blurb/mention on/of Moding/Cooling (enough /'s in there?)

- Note about drivers, and the best places to find them.

- A link to go instruction on how to updat/remove/install drivers/cards would be good like <A HREF="http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?s=46238548d173a4788789f9d47329eea8&threadid=33656771&perpage=20&pagenumber=1" target="_new">THIS</A>.

Anywhoo, that's it for now. I'll see what I can come up with later and post it.

I'm going to cut and paste this in the other thread as well just for information purpose in case one becomes the unofficial 'unofficial Faq' discussion thread.

Ciaola!



- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK :evil:
 
There is no mention of 2D vs. 3D quality, nor is there a description of Pro/Workstation vs Gaming Cards.
Click to expand...
Most people want to buy gaming cards, so this buyers' guide is gaming card based

- a Brief description of why 3Dmk01 and 3Dmk03 are different and why Bungholio marks don't mean anything in the real world, they just help everyone get a standard judge of th 'known' universe, etc. Perhaps a discussion of why Benchmaking is under fire, or link to that info.
Click to expand...
- Where are th main stay FAQ requests? Do I need AGP 8X? What is AGP X? What is the volage of AGP X? What is AGP 3.0/2.0/1.0, etc? (something like This What is Pro vs non-Pro; Ultra versus non-Ultra (explaining there are no non-pro/ultras, that's just our term)? Which one is better ATI or nVidia or Matrox (good time to link to CoolS's post maybe)? What is all this about cheating? And all that good stuff.
Click to expand...
There is going to be 2 stickies. One is the buyers' guide, and one is going to be Technical FAQ. All technical things will be covered in the technical FAQ. I won't tell this buyers' guide "FAQ" anymore. Since many people are getting confused. There will be a link to the technical FAQ in the buyers guide.

Infinate thanks for a long list of constructive suggestions! Will try my best to improve the buyers' guide according to your suggestions.

Ciaola!
Click to expand...
???

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See other post in other thread, main theme: Ooops!

Ciaola for those who didn't read that thread. Personaly saying (Like Bye-Hi) Ciao-Ciao! + Ola!

Later, Skater!


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK :evil:
 
LOL!

Great FAQ suggestions Grape.

I'd even add the worrying question "Is my PSU enough for this card?", by showing recommended wattage for X card ranges. Typically a mid-range system on a 300W good brand PSU will be good enough for a 9700PRO, while the 9800PRO and FX5900 Ultras will require 350W, and high if your system is a 3.2GHZ Pentium 4 with high-end hardware.

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