Dray_04
02-12-2004, 01:33 AM
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 (http://www.hardwareaccelerated.com/content/products/atiradeon9200pro/atiradeon9200pro.php)
Where do I buy them? According to many people on this forum and by the sounds of it Im recommending www.newegg.com (http://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 (http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/fx5950ultra/11.html)
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
"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 (http://www.hardwareaccelerated.com/content/products/atiradeon9200pro/atiradeon9200pro.php)
Where do I buy them? According to many people on this forum and by the sounds of it Im recommending www.newegg.com (http://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 (http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/fx5950ultra/11.html)
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