Powercolor?

[opivykid]

Ok, insted of getting a 9500pro for 189, newegg has the 9700pro for 219, yet its a "POWERCOLOR".. so I was hopeing for someone to tell me if this is worth it, or if I should get something else.......

powercolor (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-199&depa=1&section=3)

DAMN THESE VID CARDS AND MY ENDLESS POST ABOUT THEM!!!!!

[abu_has_the_power]

powercolor is ok. their mobos work fine, but don't support a lot of ocing. their vd cards are ok. but don't expect too much out of their website

[opivykid]

So I should go for the saphire one?

[DWk]

or maybe you could get an nVidia GeforceFX 5900...

[opivykid]

DWK, I'm finding that for 255 = A little too much $$

9700PRO here (http://www.gameve.com/gve/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=VC-ATI-046) for 217, ATi brand. Any better?

DAMN VIDEO CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[muchspl2]

http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/gffx_5900xt.shtml

This card can run NFS: Underground at 1280x1024x32 AA 6x, AF 8x without a single hiccup, not to mention every other game out there.

[opivykid]

Looks good, guessing its better than the 9700PRO, just how much $$ is it though?

[DWk]

dude the 5900 (NOT SE AKA XT version) is 200....

http://www.pricewatch.com

and if u need some benchmarks on the 5900SE

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evga_e...iew/default.asp (http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evga_e-geforce_fx_5900_xt_review/default.asp)

[opivykid]

Alright that looks pretty damn good, I'm just hopeing I can get through this mess with a good card that'll last me a good amout of time, and, DWK, if your saying that that card will do all of the above, then it looks good, but if not, point me in the direction of something up to maybe $200 or a little bit over. Also if I could get a second/third opinion on this, it would be cool.

[DWk]

actually the 5900 can take any games high everything.....

not to mention its gonna be a lasting card (im thinkin at least 2-3 years)...

[opivykid]

Wow 2-3 years is nuts, just need other people to agree (nothing against you, just the fact that no one is perfect), and I shall buy it. Just making sure, because I've already came pretty close to buying the 9600XT, realizing that wasn't worth it at all, then the 9500PRO, then the 9700PRO, and now this.......

[DWk]

benchmarks dont lie ;)

and btw thats a pretty respectable site/source for info

but i know what u mean :D
a friend of mine is getting a 5900 in like 4 days so im gonna check it out and let you know, if you aren't in a hurry :)

[DWk]

http://www.pricewatch.com/1/37/5587-1.htm

hehe :D

[opivykid]

Nice thanks man, you've helped out a shitload. All this stuff is driving me insane, so I hope your dead on about this card, because its either this or the 9700PRO, or some other crazy card. But ya, once your friend gets the card, post, as I will be waiting patiently(sp?). :) :) :)

EDIT = Which one on pricewatch is the best quality, because theres about 50 of them, and me get confused very easy haha. :)

[Mr. Elmo]

get the one that is a tad below your pricerange....or just get the cheapest one....i have a generic card and its fine. :lol:

[opivykid]

Alright then, just waiting for more opinions.... this, the 9700PRO....... or if someones nice enough to send me about $150 more for the 9800PRO... :)

[DWk]

fx5900 se still beats 9800PRO in some benchies.... go read the link i gave u B)

[opivykid]

Me oh so very confused. Your talking about the cards here (http://www.pricewatch.com/1/37/5587-1.htm) right? (if yes, if you could, pick a card out of that please)?

[DWk]

heres the order of nvidias 5900 cards.... from "worst" (riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight) to best

5900SE or 5900XT (the actual name is SE.... XT is a dumb fake name)
5900 (this is the regular version)
5900 ultra (w0ot :w00t:)

edit - forgot the links...

all the 5900's under 200 are fx5900SE (check the benchmark link...its a good card)... however if u want a regular fx5900

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3699455

check that.... its a 200 dollar 5900.....there are more expensive ones... however this is the one that my friend ordered :)

[opivykid]

Alright well we have that list of nvidia cards, now to look at the other side aka Ati cards. So how would you compare those to the 9500Pro + 9700Pro?

[DWk]

Originally posted by opivykid@29 December 2003 - 20:12
Alright well we have that list of nvidia cards, now to look at the other side aka Ati cards. So how would you compare those to the 9500Pro + 9700Pro?
only benchmarks can say this kind of stuff.... you dont put like 5900se is like 9600xt.... (just as an example.... 5900se beats the 9600xt from here all the way to hong kong)

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evga_e...iew/default.asp (http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evga_e-geforce_fx_5900_xt_review/default.asp)

go check that....again

[opivykid]

Alrighty DWk, it looks like I'm getting the card that your friend got. hopefully it'll last me. I'm counting on you :). Also though, you should post a topic just as like an end-all for vid cards, so if anyone wants to know want to buy (and I'll put $$ on the fact that theres tons of people like that), they'll see the post, read it, and come away with the info that they need to make the right descision :)

[DWk]

glad i helped.... even though i dont actually pick between stuff... i've been an nvidia guy for 4 years now.... still like it :D

however, some people are 2 stubborn to see benchmarks.....

i know ur idea is excelent (well i know and think it is hehe), but it might just bring the flame wars back... (not that they ever left lol).

if ur not in a rush to get a new card, you should wait a few days and see what the card my friend is getting can do :)

btw.... im still waiting about 1-4 months to buying my next card. This to the matter that prices drop.... or maybe just so that i get a job... i really need one :)

[DWk]

Originally posted by opivykid@29 December 2003 - 20:30
Alrighty DWk, it looks like I'm getting the card that your friend got. hopefully it'll last me. I'm counting on you :). Also though, you should post a topic just as like an end-all for vid cards, so if anyone wants to know want to buy (and I'll put $$ on the fact that theres tons of people like that), they'll see the post, read it, and come away with the info that they need to make the right descision :)
man waittttttttt i forgot to ask you your system specs.... do youhave 8xagp? just wondering dont want you to buy a card and have it running at half performance (or just using half the bandwidth....not that its like majorly needed)

[opivykid]

Ya I'll definitly wait a few days, and you should really try the idea out. I mean, there'll be the idiots that'll try to flame, yet if you can get the info in, It'll most definitly be worth it :)

[opivykid]

Oh shoot, ya, here we go....

Compaq AMD Atholon 2600+ @ 2.13ghz
Gig of ram
more than enough hard drive space

just how do I find out my "agp" or whatever?

[DWk]

do you know the manufacturer/model of your motherboard? or if you have the manuals of it?

[opivykid]

Motherboard manufacturer = MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Motherboard model = MS-6390, 3.0
BIOS vendor = Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS revision = 3.09
BIOS release date = 07/01/2003
Chipset = VIA PM266/KM266 (VT8375) rev. 0
Southbridge = VIA VT8235 rev. 0
Sensor chip = Winbond W83697HF

Need anything else?

[DWk]

hehe more than enuff :D

keep this link for future reference:

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mai...tail.php?UID=80 (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=80)

thats your motherboard.

Unfortunately, your motherboard has only 4x AGP port. This means that if you buy the card, its gonna have HALF the bandwidth it is meant for (8x agp)....

:(

edit - btw... man that motherboard is little

[DWk]

bleh im organizing my bookmarks (havent done this since like forever) and found a link you might find useful as well :)

http://www.tech-report.com/reviews/2003q4/...xt/index.x?pg=1 (http://www.tech-report.com/reviews/2003q4/geforcefx-5900xt/index.x?pg=1)

[opivykid]

Ahh shit so I'm going to need a new motherboard too? If you could, point me in the direction of a new / good one?

[bigdawgfoxx]

I bought the 9700Pro powercolor..its awesome.

[opivykid]

Cool, yet I need help finding a new mobo if I'm going to get a new card..... buying something now would be pointless........

[bigdawgfoxx]

Asus A7N8X for $83 on newegg.com

Very nice mobo

[opivykid]

Cool, any second opinions?

EDIT = is this (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-455&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1) it?

[bigdawgfoxx]

Yes, that is it. They also have the deluxe version if you want RAID or SATA. its $120

[opivykid]

What is that / those?

Ahh screw it i'm starting a new topic, this is getting confusing...

[bigdawgfoxx]

They are advanced Hard Drive controlers. Sata is a completly new format basicly. Faster and stuff, but you have to have a diff type of Hard drive to use it...so If you plan on using ur current hard drive dont worry about it too much..

Raid is just a way to sort 2 or more Hard drives together. used for fast speeds, or data backups. If you dont really know what they are you prob wont use them at this point, so I wouldnt really worry too much about it.

[Keikan]

I was told powercolor an't that great

[bigdawgfoxx]

Have you seen my benchies? I think powercooler is pretty good...there in my sig

[DWk]

Originally posted by opivykid@29 December 2003 - 22:39
What is that / those?

Ahh screw it i'm starting a new topic, this is getting confusing...
no need to start a new topic..... just tell us ur budget and ur current specs and then we come up with something :)