Want To Upgrade Your Graphic Card?

[Dray_04]

It has come to my attention that alot of noobs (like me... jkz) ask the same question every day.

"What graphic card should i get?"

Here is a list outlining the basic mid-end and high-end graphic cards that are out at present.

Please note that all card info is subject to change at anytime

Lets start with the real budget cards:


Radeon 9000 64Mb
Radeon 9200 64Mb
Radeon 9200 128Mb
Radeon 9200 Pro 128Mb etc.

GeForce4 MX440 64Mb
GeForce4 MX440 128Mb
GeForce4 Ti4200 64Mb
GeForce4 Ti4200 128Mb
GeForce4 Ti4400 128Mb
Geforce FX5200 128mb

These cards are not what you are looking for if you plan on playing 2003-2004 games such as UT2003, Halo, NFSU etc. dont get me wrong.... you will be able to play these games, but you wont be able to EXPERIENCE these games, which is what we all want, dont we?

These cards are CHEAP ok! .. so dont pay more than $150 otherwise u are definately getting RRRippped off $10 - 150 US should be a nice average. lol. $10 for a fx5200. jkz. but they are crap
a more detailed review on the r9600xt

Where do I buy them? According to many people on this forum and by the sounds of it Im recommending www.newegg.com

please note that i have not listed every single card offered, just some of the more popular cards. Also i am only going to suggest ATI and NVIDIA.

Midrange cards


Radeon 9600 128Mb )
Radeon 9600pro 128Mb > & 256mb
Radeon 9600xt 128Mb )
All In Wonder Radeon 9600 Pro 128Mb
Radeon 9800SE 128Mb (i dont reccomend any card with the SE attachment)

GeForce FX 5700 128Mb
GeForce FX 5700 256Mb
GeForce FX 5600 Ultra 128Mb
GeForce FX 5600 256Mb etc


These cards are great if you are like most of us here... on a budget. Im not exactly sure on the price range of these cards in the US but expect them to be anywhere between:

$150 - $ 350 US Just find a good online store like the one i suggested above and you should be fine.

These cards play the latest and greatest DX9 games, and should cope easily with 2003 - 2004 games on medium resolutions and higher. Games like Halo and LOTR: The return of the King should flow like a breeze considering you have specs such as:

P4 2ghz or Athlon 2000+
256Mb DDR Ram etc....


High-end range cards

Now we are getting somewhere!!! THE BIG BAD BOYS!!!

You want big bad ass graphics then this is for you!




Radeon 9800 128Mb
Radeon 9800 Pro 128Mb
Radeon 9700 128Mb
Radeon 9700 Pro 128Mb
All in Wonder Radeon 9700 PRO 128Mb
Radeon 9800 Pro 256Mb
Radeon 9800 XT 256Mb YEE HAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

GeForce FX 5900 128Mb & 256Mb
GeForce FX 5800 Ultra 128Mb
GeForce FX 5900 Ultra 128Mb & 256Mb
GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256Mb
GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256Mb NOW THAT IS POWER!!!

I can only say that these cards will deliver!
a more detailed review on the 5950

Price Range: In NZ about $400 - $1000 !!! YES I KNOW OMFG!!!!! SO in US its about $230 - $700
and whatever you do, always make sure you do a bit of research b4 you purchase a graphic card. I alwayz thort that i was getting a good deal on one website, whereas i looked at another website and it was $50 cheaper.. etc it goes on...

Anyway, good luck with your graphic card hunting and i hope this topic gives you a basic idea of what card does what.

P.S I am open to change anything in this.

P.P.S feel free to add any comment/suggestion

[abu_has_the_power]

u forgot some new cards. and none of the high end cards u listed costs $700. the max is $500. some workstation cards are also good for gaming. firegl's and some others.

decent list. although most ppl already know most of wat you said

not criticizing, just suggesting

[Dray_04]

like i said b4, im open to crit.... suggestions. lol. nah i just got really bored, so i thort id make up a quick guide, i made it in a rush...
i knew id forget sum stuff.. ill chuck it in soon

[bigdawgfoxx]

Aight well work on the neatness some if you want to get this pinned...

Also, you have the Radeon 9700 128MB in midrange and highrange.

I would not put the Radeon 9800SE in the highrange, it should be in the midrange if you ask me.

Pretty nice guide I guess..just needs alot of neatening up, and I really dont think the quotes are needed..make it look kinda messy...

[_John_Lennon_]

Its an okay thread, Needs some work though, and needs to be more through.

We really should condense alot of those Hardware topics to one topic thread, with links to the threads, like this one.

[Dray_04]

k, ive taken out the quotes, and just put review links instead B)

what else should i do. i really want to get this thread good, because im gettin sick of those other threads.... and im guessing some of you are as well.

but dont get me wrong. ill always be polite and offer advise to nooBs.

[_John_Lennon_]

Better formatting, better introduction, better sentence structure, better headings....

I could go on.

[ricochet]

Originally posted by _John_Lennon_@12 February 2004 - 03:16
Better formatting, better introduction, better sentence structure, better headings....

I could go on.

I think its a good start,,, and a noob wont worry about semtence structure. I say thanks and keep working on it....

[bigdawgfoxx]

I would kinda like to make one..maybe ill try that later

Wasnt he asking like a TON of questions about graphics cards not too long ago though? Lol I'm thinking someone really into graphics cards should make one of these.

EDIT: Adam, DONE B) haha

[adamp2p]

Watch out there with the definitive mode...you are asking for flaming.