Will a new Graphics Card help if I have a 1.4ghz?

[Entropy_5]

My processer is a 1.4Ghz Athlon. My current card is a GEforce 3 64 meg card. And I have 512 RAM.

I dont really know much about computers but I want games to run faster so I would like to upgrade my graphics card. I dont have enough money to get a new computer. Will a faster card help me or is my processer too slow? What card would you recommend? I've heard great things about the Radeon 9600 but they are expensive now. When do you think their prices will go down. Also, if you think I should get a Radeon 9600 which version do you suggest? Thanks!

 

[Spitfire_x86]

You should get noticable performance increase if you upgrade to Radeon 9600 PRO

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[sargeduck]

Yeah, it will definetly help. I am currently running a celeron 1.1 over clocked to 1.4. I had a geforce 4 mx 440, and I slapped a 9600Pro, and what a difference. The celeron is holding me back a lot, but I am able to run all my games in 1024x768 with a little AA and some AF. Max Payne 2 I had the details very high. Halo ran decently at low settings. Tiger Woods 2004 and Need for Speed Underground I can run at pretty high settings. Of course, some times (like a whole crap load of enemies in COD), or massive graphic scenes I get slow downs. I would recommend the 9600Pro without a doubt.

Error: Keyboard not attached. Press F1 to continue

 

[coolsquirtle]

i recommend FX5700Ultra

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[Entropy_5]

What is the difference between the Radeon 9600 PRO and the other Radeon 9600's? I cant remember the names of the medium and low end 9600's but what is the difference in performance?

 

[mrface]

pro and nonpro are clocked different and some suplliers(not ati) use different memory and different name scheme for there cards.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>

 

[lhgpoobaa]

The pro is clocked, and priced, higher.
If you can afford one, try to get a R9600pro in the 128mb form.
Good value for money!

<b>Lead me not into temptation.
I know the way myself.
Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b>

 

[Entropy_5]

Is there a reason that 128 and 256 meg cards seem to be selling for nearly the same price? Would there be a large performance difference in the 256 over the 128?

 

[mrface]

in most cases the performance is not differed at all and sometimes the 256 performs a little slower.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>

 

[mh909]

remember, do not get any radeon cards with an SE on them

 

[HardWareBoss]

Buy 9600PRO. ATI Radeon.

 

[Crashman]

The reason they are so close in price is often that the 256MB version is using slower, cheaper RAM.

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[Crashman]

Oh, the performance difference: In the examle I listed above the 128MB card performs much better than the 256MB card.

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[shadus]

Since you have an AXP -- UPGRADE THAT CHIP!

I mean come on, for < 90$ you could be running a 2500+.

Shadus

 

[shadus]

Generally the only card you would want 256 on at this point is the top end cards... FX5950/5900/5800 in the geforce lines or the 9800 XT/Pro in the Radeon line. Most of the slower cards that have 256 are using crap memory that runs like mud, which makes your card a bit slower... also *always* avoid anything with SE in the name. They're half assed usually.

Shadus