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Is this video card any good?

Discussion in 'Audio and Video' started by Benan, Sep 15, 2006.

  1. F1N3ST Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,088

  2. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

  3. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    I just found out Newegg doesn't post to Australia :( only posts in the US :'(
  4. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    Does any one know a store in australia thats cheap and has the video card that plays BF2??

    for the same price of near, since newegg dont post to aussie :(
  5. F1N3ST Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,088

    Yes, a 6800XT will. It has 256-bit memory, which is very fast, trust me.
  6. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    I cant find a 6800XT at any aussie shop :(
     
  7. F1N3ST Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,088

    Try a 7600GS, those are both great AGP cards.
  8. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    Yes, this is the one I was looking at BFGTech Geforce 7600GS OC 512Mb (AGP) $260.00 but thats 512mb

    this one however GIGABYTE N76G256D-RH GF7600GS, 256MB, 128bit, AGP8x, DDRII, DSUB, TVOUT, DVI-I, TWINV $206.80 is 256 MB and cheaper.. which one shall i grab :)
  9. F1N3ST Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,088

    Or an X850PRO would be better, any 256-bit memory card is great. The 256mb would be better for the money.
  10. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    Okay we'll see what some other people have too say first.

    Gecube ATI Radeon X850Pro 256Mb DDR3 (PCIE) = $300 +

    Not happening xD
  11. Sharkfood TechSpot Guru Posts: 1,192

    Hi Benan,
    What to look for is the memory interface and number of pixel pipelines.

    I wouldn't recommend the 6800XT as this is an 8-pipeline (but good 256 bit memory interface), especially if you wish to use any amount of anisotropic filtering or AA (which both help BF2 tremendously).

    I originally recommended the X800GTO as it's a 12-pipeline, 256 bit memory interface card. You can crank the resolution, AF and AA without impacting framerates given this overage. Moreover, many of the Sapphire X800GTO's are 16-pipes vs 12!

    The 7600 is only 128-bit memory interface, but has a full 12-pipelines. This can yield similar performance to an 8-pipe/256-bit card in many cases.. so I'd still say if you're going this route, just go the 8-pipe/256-bit memory 6800 series.

    The X850 Pro is a great choice as it's 256-bit memory, 12-pipelines.. just like the X800GTO. I'd say if you can find an X850 Pro or X800GTO, you'll be golden and be able to crank up all the options in BF2 with great performance.

    On the PSU, I'm unfamiliar with that case- sorry. You might be able to cross-reference your old PSU to see if it's a standard ATX though. If it is, then any standard-ATX replacement should work.
  12. F1N3ST Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,088

    Sharkfood, read his budget, and they dont ship to australia. So the 7600GS is a good choice. Whats your processor benan btw?
  13. Sharkfood TechSpot Guru Posts: 1,192

    I still highly disagree. A 7600GS doesn't play BF2 with maxed settings well at all, nor does the 6600GT we have here. Both also do not have enough power to muster 2xAA or any degree of AF to clean up the muddy BF2 textures.

    And, I'm quite aware of his budget. Australian dollars are roughly per 3/4 US dollar. Sapphire and other OEM brands of X800GTO's are about $115-$125 US in AGP, which puts them at around $150 Aus.. given tax/tariff, should still be under $220 Aus if he can find a non-retail vendor (ie. wholesaler or OEM) in Australia.

    It's just he's quoting prices from sources much like Comp USA here in the US. Who would pay $449 US For a 7600GS? Or $300 for a stick of ram? Nobody.. we buy from wholesalers/oem sellers. What we really need is a good OEM or wholesale source either in Australia or that ships to Australia.
  14. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    I have done some googling for a shop thats in australia but i cant find one thats cheap..

    I just want a card that plays battlefield 2 and most other games without hassle.

    also i have noticed that there are alot of games coming out with minimum requirements is a 256 gfx card.. so maybe soon enough we will all need to get 512 MB ones, i duno..

    and Finest i have an AMD Sempron 3000+
  15. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

  16. Sharkfood TechSpot Guru Posts: 1,192

    That's more like it.. and that price is more along the lines of an OEM/Wholesale seller. I wish there were more Aussies here that might direct you to your equivalent of these resellers!

    And a 9600 series is going backwards as it's only 4-pipelines, 128-bit memory interface. As you can see, this is even lesser than the 7600 or 6800 series from above.

    What is your *total* budget and what do you plan to purchase total? Memory, PSU and AGP Videocard?
  17. F1N3ST Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,088

    Your processor will hold it back, IMO.
  18. Sharkfood TechSpot Guru Posts: 1,192

    I'm kinda leaning a bit towards the processor as well, but it could be close.

    We play BF2 on one of our LAN boxes without any problems on a XP 2800+ with 2 gigs and no performance problems (from the memory and an X800GTO), so it'll really come down to how wimpy the Sempron 3000+ will be compared to the XP 2800+.

    You may indeed want to compromise with a lesser videocard, another gig of ram, and playing with some reduced settings. It will also depend on how you wish to play BF2, since the memory issue becomes bigger if you wish to pilot/drive much. If you're happy being limited to infantry and light vehicle driving, you can probably squeek by... but if you plan to pilot a helicopter or jet... 1 gig, Sempie 3000+ will be a bit difficult.
  19. Benan Newcomer, in training Posts: 147

    yea i plan to get anoother 512 MB of ram..

    and Battlefield isnt the only game i wana play i should manage, but, it's my birthday soon :) So i should get around $250

    I wish it was just simple where some one could post a cheap video card to go in my computer :| and also I need a powersupply
  20. Sharkfood TechSpot Guru Posts: 1,192

    Well, you should then start with a power supply and memory.. then let your left over budget determine what card you will get.

    Realize that after power supply and memory (provided you get 1.5 gig or more), you'll basically be able to play BF2 with *any* videocard, but the choice will determine what resolution and settings you'll be able to muster.

    With BF2, memory is the real big issue.. so even if you have a Core 2 Duo system with SLI videocards, it'll be a stuttery/awkward mess with 1 gig or less on bigger servers and higher game settings.

    But you need a PSU for any real single upgrade.. period. So I'd start with finding a good, decent PSU that will work with your system and budget 512mb or preferrably 1 gig stick of memory (especially if you plan on piloting).. then let your left-over cash decide on the videocard.

    That 9600XT will play BF2.. but you'll be limited to 800x600 with low settings. So your left over budget will just choose how high resolution/settings you'll be able to play.