- Jul 23, 2003
- 6
- 0
- 18,510
Well i read Tom's vga guide and now i think i'm just as confused as when i started. A few things first, one of the ATI cards i keep seeing is the Saphire made cards. This wasn't reviewed in the article so I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about Saphire.
Secondly, my conclusion, and as I read the guide seemed Tom's, that there isn't a large difference in card performance based on manufacturer. ie.. ATI, Saphire, Power Color, Gigabyte ATI chip based cards perform about the same for the same level (all 9800pro 128 configs). Anyone want to dispute that?
Thirdly, As many others on here, i'm ever so close to buying a new card as I upgrade my 400mhz w/voodoo3 2000 card. It seems between the 9800pro 128meg ATI card and the 9700pro 128meg card is about a $50 difference. Is that $50 worth it? I'm thinking that upfront, maybe not, but down the road, as I hope this card will do me well for hopefully as long as my trusty voodoo3 has, perhaps the $50 will be worth it. But as i recall, i skipped out on the voodoo3 5000, 4000, 3000 and took the 2000. I think that was due to tighter budget at the time. I see the ati 9500's and now 9600's are under $200 and so, a much bigger savings, but probably at a much noticable graphics capability. If not then speak up.
My main goal with this upgrade is to prep for smooth Half-Life 2 gaming while doing some video editing down the road when I go for a dvd burner.
In a final note, i had read the lengthy post where one fella was looking at 2gigs of Ram and was flammed big time. I'm just seeking advice. And while i'm at it, i'll ask about memory as i'm here. I was thinking of maybe 1gig of pc3200 (2x512) but as I recall, and was reminded in said flame, memory efficantcy decreases over a certain size. I'm thinking 512 will be plenty (2x256) but for $50 more i can have a gig. Think that's worth it?
Secondly, my conclusion, and as I read the guide seemed Tom's, that there isn't a large difference in card performance based on manufacturer. ie.. ATI, Saphire, Power Color, Gigabyte ATI chip based cards perform about the same for the same level (all 9800pro 128 configs). Anyone want to dispute that?
Thirdly, As many others on here, i'm ever so close to buying a new card as I upgrade my 400mhz w/voodoo3 2000 card. It seems between the 9800pro 128meg ATI card and the 9700pro 128meg card is about a $50 difference. Is that $50 worth it? I'm thinking that upfront, maybe not, but down the road, as I hope this card will do me well for hopefully as long as my trusty voodoo3 has, perhaps the $50 will be worth it. But as i recall, i skipped out on the voodoo3 5000, 4000, 3000 and took the 2000. I think that was due to tighter budget at the time. I see the ati 9500's and now 9600's are under $200 and so, a much bigger savings, but probably at a much noticable graphics capability. If not then speak up.
My main goal with this upgrade is to prep for smooth Half-Life 2 gaming while doing some video editing down the road when I go for a dvd burner.
In a final note, i had read the lengthy post where one fella was looking at 2gigs of Ram and was flammed big time. I'm just seeking advice. And while i'm at it, i'll ask about memory as i'm here. I was thinking of maybe 1gig of pc3200 (2x512) but as I recall, and was reminded in said flame, memory efficantcy decreases over a certain size. I'm thinking 512 will be plenty (2x256) but for $50 more i can have a gig. Think that's worth it?
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