I need a new graphics card?

[Kastuvas]

Ok here’s the dilemma, I will be building a new pc for Christmas and I will give my old pc (which is what I am using now) to my brother.

As you can see from my signature it’s not a beast. It’s impossible to run any of the new games at a reasonable frame rate. I think a new graphics card will improve things considerably.

He doesn’t need any dualhead support or tv-out there’s just enough room for one monitor let alone two.

I will be buying a card from http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-se...b=manufacturer

As I already have an account with dabs. Here are the choices that I came up with:

Gf2 Ti - £41
Gf3 Ti 200 - £68
ATI 9000Pro - £72

Now considering my system which one should I go for? Or maybe any other I haven’t mentioned.

[WyWyWyWy]

Why don't you buy a 9000 on EBuyer? Always cheaper.

[Goc]

If I was in your shoes I'd get me a Radeon9000Pro, but it could be a bit overpowered for the rest of your system... Perhaps a 8500LE would be a cheaper choice and also better balanced than a 9000Pro with the rest of your system... Then again, I've never used ATI cards long enough to be 100% certain about that opinion...
Nevertheless, I strongly advise staying away from the nVidia camp of products...

[KeiFront]

I personaly would vote for the ATI 9000 Pro it has the best anisotropic filtering. And it has the best IQ and it's the fastest of the 3 cards.

[Kastuvas]

KeiFront it is the fastes, but then again considering my CPU i dont think there would be any differance.

[KeiFront]

Ok you've got me a bit confused now. Will you use the new video card in your new system. Or will it replace the G400SH (your brothers future computer)?

[Kastuvas]

I will use it to replace the G400.

New system hopefully will have a parhelia

Edit: a very embarrassing typo hehe

[knirfie]

I'd go for a radeon 8500 if they have one, it's bound to be cheaper, and will score the same in that system as the 9000Pro

[KeiFront]

hmm, I can't find a CPU scaling review of the Radeon 9000 but I would still opt for the 9000Pro.

I personnaly would rule out the GF2 ti (worst IQ, etc). So there only 2 choices left GF3TI 200 or Radeon 9000PRO the radeon has the better IQ you can use FSAA together with ansio filtering and it would only cost 4£ more than the GF3.

[Goc]

Yep! And Aniso+FSAA on 9000Pro with a small performance hit is also a plus if you're considering 8500 or 8500LE which don't have the implementation of those functions as good as 9000Pro.

I guess 9000Pro is your choice if you want max IQ, but if you want almost on par performance for few pounds less go for 8500 or 8500LE...

I would go with 9000Pro..

[Kastuvas]

Ok then i will go for 9000pro then as dabs don't have 8500 and i cant be bothered to register with another supplyer.

[Kastuvas]

Update, just came back from thotenham court road, those from London know the place, I have picked up a creative ATI radeon9000 Pro for £75, i think its a fair price, Ok i'm off to install it

[KeiFront]

Succes

[The PIT]

If you install the latest cat 2.4 don't whatever you do try and alter anything under the smartgart tab or you'll end having to re-install your drivers more likely than not.

[Kastuvas]

I have enabled agpx2 through there, is that bad :/ btw i cant find this card on creative website so i downloaded them from ATI website. Just trying to get used to the new drivers and extra features, played GTA III for about 3mins ran smoothley at 1024x768x32 and FSAAx4 also tried OFP the same settings and smooth as well, so, sofar im happy, i probably should try 3Dmark see what it says.

On the 2D at 1024x768x32 cant see a differance, 1280x1024x32 its a little bit fuzzier but very very little, at 1200x1600 you can clearly see the diffrance.