what grahics card would you recormend?
Saturday, June 7, 2003 by feline | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
*sigh* following the problem with DVD playback lastnight https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WC&id=157507 i opened up my machine to make sure that my graphics card was properly in its slot.
as far as i can tell it is, however, despite being as careful as i could be, my machine no longer boots!
all i get are some beeps from the mother board. it is as if it cannot find the graphics card.
so, it is possible (i do hope not) that i am going to need to get a new graphics card. if i do, what would people recormend?
my last machine had an ATI card, but given the problems i had with drivers i got a nvidia gforce2 for my current machine. however, i have had a mass of driver problems with the nvidia card, so i am very loath to get another nvidia card. if they cannot relably produce stable drivers, why should i by another one of their cards?
from what i have read the ATI cards seem to be very good these days, with good hardware support for winFX 2.
i dont play a lot of games, but i do play some. in power terms, my current nvidia gforce2 MX 64meg card is fine, if it would just work!
as far as i can tell it is, however, despite being as careful as i could be, my machine no longer boots!
all i get are some beeps from the mother board. it is as if it cannot find the graphics card.
so, it is possible (i do hope not) that i am going to need to get a new graphics card. if i do, what would people recormend?
my last machine had an ATI card, but given the problems i had with drivers i got a nvidia gforce2 for my current machine. however, i have had a mass of driver problems with the nvidia card, so i am very loath to get another nvidia card. if they cannot relably produce stable drivers, why should i by another one of their cards?
from what i have read the ATI cards seem to be very good these days, with good hardware support for winFX 2.
i dont play a lot of games, but i do play some. in power terms, my current nvidia gforce2 MX 64meg card is fine, if it would just work!
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voo
Reply #2 Saturday, June 7, 2003 8:24 AM
Reply #2 Saturday, June 7, 2003 8:24 AM
Yes go ATI, anything from ATI 8500 upwards.
Im actually planing to go for ATI 9800 Pro at later date after main upgrade.
I have just been so sick of how badly NVIDIA's 2D drivers are, Specially with things like DesktopX or WindowFX, how badly it can't handle layered windows. As Cannot run them all in the one go without the drivers starting to lag.
Ive got this feeling NVIDIA are never going to fix 2D issues with WFX and such till Longhorn comes on the scene, since it uses similar features like WFX. I just cannot wait that long.
From what i have seen all NVIDIA seem to care about is 3D FPS games and Benchmarks, the rest does not seem to care.
I dont know if you seen a while back NVIDIA, were supposed to have cheated with their drivers for faster benchmarks, but apparently 3D Mark said they had not.
It's funny how with NVIDIA's GeForceFX 5800 Ultra, the card has to be massive which takes up two slots and looks like a Hovercraft, also sounds like it too when the card switches to 3D mode. This being the reason why they went forward and is planning to release the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra this or next month. Suppose to be quiter but still takes up two slots and is now using DDR1.
Yet ATI's latest cards are faster than these two, tho the card is more or less the same size as a GeForce3 but does not sound like a tank.
Makes you begin to wonder.
Im actually planing to go for ATI 9800 Pro at later date after main upgrade.
I have just been so sick of how badly NVIDIA's 2D drivers are, Specially with things like DesktopX or WindowFX, how badly it can't handle layered windows. As Cannot run them all in the one go without the drivers starting to lag.
Ive got this feeling NVIDIA are never going to fix 2D issues with WFX and such till Longhorn comes on the scene, since it uses similar features like WFX. I just cannot wait that long.
From what i have seen all NVIDIA seem to care about is 3D FPS games and Benchmarks, the rest does not seem to care.
I dont know if you seen a while back NVIDIA, were supposed to have cheated with their drivers for faster benchmarks, but apparently 3D Mark said they had not.
It's funny how with NVIDIA's GeForceFX 5800 Ultra, the card has to be massive which takes up two slots and looks like a Hovercraft, also sounds like it too when the card switches to 3D mode. This being the reason why they went forward and is planning to release the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra this or next month. Suppose to be quiter but still takes up two slots and is now using DDR1.
Yet ATI's latest cards are faster than these two, tho the card is more or less the same size as a GeForce3 but does not sound like a tank.
Makes you begin to wonder.
jebland
Reply #3 Saturday, June 7, 2003 9:56 AM
Reply #3 Saturday, June 7, 2003 9:56 AM
I have an ATI 9800 Pro in my new Dell computer. It is very fast and supports DX9. It works well with Windowblinds (no artifacts or odd pixels) but I haven't tried WinFX yet. The new computer and I are still getting aquainted. 
bordfryr
Reply #4 Saturday, June 7, 2003 12:14 PM
Reply #4 Saturday, June 7, 2003 12:14 PM
I was thinking of an ATI 9200. It's priced in the $100 neighborhood and has pretty good specs. 
feline
Reply #6 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:12 PM
i heard about that. they also "tweaked" the drivers to up the frame rate when running quake3 by lowering the quality.
i saw a report in the last few days that ATI have been accused of something similar.
ATI link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/3/30880.html
and it seems nvidia have done it again! link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/31082.html
since i dont tend to play FPS games, i am not that bothered about fancy 3D bench mark tests.
so, a good quality ATI card sounds the way to go.
Reply #6 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:12 PM
| I dont know if you seen a while back NVIDIA, were supposed to have cheated with their drivers for faster benchmarks, but apparently 3D Mark said they had not. |
i heard about that. they also "tweaked" the drivers to up the frame rate when running quake3 by lowering the quality.
i saw a report in the last few days that ATI have been accused of something similar.
ATI link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/3/30880.html
and it seems nvidia have done it again! link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/31082.html
since i dont tend to play FPS games, i am not that bothered about fancy 3D bench mark tests.
so, a good quality ATI card sounds the way to go.
KarmaGirl
Reply #7 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:13 PM
Reply #7 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:13 PM
I have a GeForce4 at home (and work) and haven't had too many problems with
it. However, if I were to buy a new card it would be an ATI 9700 or
better. ATI seems to be really improving their driver support, and I
haven't heard of anyone *not* liking the current ATI cards.
it. However, if I were to buy a new card it would be an ATI 9700 or
better. ATI seems to be really improving their driver support, and I
haven't heard of anyone *not* liking the current ATI cards.
feline
Reply #8 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:14 PM
ooh! i like the sound of that. not to expensive sounding.
however, i am in England, so i am not sure how much they would be charging over here.
Reply #8 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:14 PM
| bordfryr123 - I was thinking of an ATI 9200. It's priced in the $100 neighborhood and has pretty good specs. |
ooh! i like the sound of that. not to expensive sounding.
however, i am in England, so i am not sure how much they would be charging over here.
Drop125
Reply #9 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:20 PM
Reply #9 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:20 PM
Another vote for ATI...Whatever one is on sale that has 64M DDR and is on sale at your local CompUSA with a mail in rebate...
feline
Reply #10 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:20 PM
the thing is, if the info about DVD playback here:
https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WC&id=157507
is correct, and my experience suggests it is, then my PC's DVD drive is now "useless" until i downgrade my drivers
perhaps it isnt all bad news if the card really is dead.
Reply #10 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:20 PM
| KarmaGirl - I have a GeForce4 at home (and work) and haven't had too many problems with it. |
the thing is, if the info about DVD playback here:
https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WC&id=157507
is correct, and my experience suggests it is, then my PC's DVD drive is now "useless" until i downgrade my drivers
perhaps it isnt all bad news if the card really is dead.
Apocalypse_67
Reply #11 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:41 PM
Reply #11 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:41 PM
I have gone thru a couple of Graphic Cards in the last 3 yrs or so.
I was using Savage 4 until I upgraded to XP Pro. I got a ATI Radeon 7000. But I started doing a lof of image editing and a buch of graphic designs, plus I got a brand new DVD Rom, so I upgraded to Radeon 9000 Pro, at $129.00 you cant go wrong
Now Im looking into Radeon 9700 Pro 8X
I guess the graphic card goes according to your needs.
No sense on getting a $1400.00 Quadro FX 2000 if all you are going to do its browse the net and check your email
I was using Savage 4 until I upgraded to XP Pro. I got a ATI Radeon 7000. But I started doing a lof of image editing and a buch of graphic designs, plus I got a brand new DVD Rom, so I upgraded to Radeon 9000 Pro, at $129.00 you cant go wrong
Now Im looking into Radeon 9700 Pro 8X
I guess the graphic card goes according to your needs.
No sense on getting a $1400.00 Quadro FX 2000 if all you are going to do its browse the net and check your email
feline
Reply #12 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:52 PM
Reply #12 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:52 PM
price is going to be a very significant factor. i think i am happy to go to 100 pounds, perhaps 150 at a push. it really depends what i can get for my money.
voo
Reply #13 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:55 PM
Reply #13 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:55 PM
feline, have a look at http://www.overclockers.co.uk
They have pretty good prices.
They have pretty good prices.
MrGupps
Reply #14 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:59 PM
Reply #14 Saturday, June 7, 2003 1:59 PM
i have a G-Force 4 and it works fine for me ( 200 DOLLARS)
What graphics card do u want? well it depends, if u couldn't care less obout gaming or using your computer for media purposes i would get a basic graphics card like another G-Force 2
make sure your graphics card is all the way in the motherboard slot, that happened to me once, also it could be that you do not have the required drivers for you graphics card, or you might need an AGP driver (so the motherboard can recognize th graphics card)
What graphics card do u want? well it depends, if u couldn't care less obout gaming or using your computer for media purposes i would get a basic graphics card like another G-Force 2
make sure your graphics card is all the way in the motherboard slot, that happened to me once, also it could be that you do not have the required drivers for you graphics card, or you might need an AGP driver (so the motherboard can recognize th graphics card)
feline
Reply #15 Saturday, June 7, 2003 2:54 PM
Reply #15 Saturday, June 7, 2003 2:54 PM
Voodoo_FreaK, thanks for the link! i have been looking for somewhere to get UK prices, but havent had much success so far.
MrGupps - make sure your graphics card is all the way in the motherboard slot, that happened to me once, also it could be that you do not have the required drivers for you graphics card, or you might need an AGP driver (so the motherboard can recognize th graphics card)
i am wondering if it is not going into the slot properly, but i have tried 8 times. it looks like it is all the way in, but i dont want to push to hard and risk braking something.
drivers, etc, arent going to help since i cannot get past the motherboard beeping at me stage. and it was working fine earlier the same day.
MrGupps - make sure your graphics card is all the way in the motherboard slot, that happened to me once, also it could be that you do not have the required drivers for you graphics card, or you might need an AGP driver (so the motherboard can recognize th graphics card)
i am wondering if it is not going into the slot properly, but i have tried 8 times. it looks like it is all the way in, but i dont want to push to hard and risk braking something.
drivers, etc, arent going to help since i cannot get past the motherboard beeping at me stage. and it was working fine earlier the same day.
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #16 Saturday, June 7, 2003 4:28 PM
Reply #16 Saturday, June 7, 2003 4:28 PM
Here's a place to look at ATI cards: http://www.simply.co.uk/?sn=2084984137
And here's some other choices: http://www.dabs.com/products/product-locator.asp?lstep=3&c_id=5&t_id=700
That should give you an idea of prices.
If you have another pc, have you tried fitting the card from that just to make sure it is the card which is causing the problem?
And here's some other choices: http://www.dabs.com/products/product-locator.asp?lstep=3&c_id=5&t_id=700
That should give you an idea of prices.
If you have another pc, have you tried fitting the card from that just to make sure it is the card which is causing the problem?
gillon
Reply #17 Saturday, June 7, 2003 4:46 PM
Reply #17 Saturday, June 7, 2003 4:46 PM
I have an ATI 7500 all in Wonder. I am very frustrated with it because I have never been able to update the drivers. I can only use the old ones that came with it.
kona0197
Reply #18 Saturday, June 7, 2003 6:32 PM
Reply #18 Saturday, June 7, 2003 6:32 PM
i bought a SiS video card and it works great for DVD but not much else.
Being a mac nut I would recommend what my new apple is gonna have in it - ATI 9500 with tv out.
Being a mac nut I would recommend what my new apple is gonna have in it - ATI 9500 with tv out.
Cavanaugh
Reply #19 Saturday, June 7, 2003 10:17 PM
Reply #19 Saturday, June 7, 2003 10:17 PM
hey - before you replace the card - reset the cmos and try and boot again. (find your mb manual and switch the jumper for a min or find the battery on the motherboard (looks like a bigish watch battery usually) and remove it for about 5 mins. then try the board again.
EventHorizon
Reply #20 Sunday, June 8, 2003 6:14 AM
Reply #20 Sunday, June 8, 2003 6:14 AM
Being a person who has never used a fx card that had more than 4mb vram, I cant really help you. Tho, I have no trouble with bryce and movies running on this comp here... (IBM Netvista, 1300mhz celeron, 128mb ram, 4mb some intel vid card) But then again, I dont play too many graphic intensive games like Unreal Tournament so, I dont really need a great card. It gets annoying tho, when you open the Age of Mythology demo and find that all the trees look like cardboard. I saw some review in some magazine that said If you were into photo/movie editing or dvd playing on your comp, you should spend $300 on a brand new, top-o-the-line 128mb fx card. Personally I disagree with that cause I know plenty of ppl who can get along fine with an older card with only a quarter as much ram. But like I said, I dont play graphic intensive games so I dont have first hand experience.
I saw some review in some magazine that said If you were into photo/movie editing or dvd playing on your comp, you should spend $300 on a brand new, top-o-the-line 128mb fx card. Personally I disagree with that cause I know plenty of ppl who can get along fine with an older card with only a quarter as much ram. But like I said, I dont play graphic intensive games so I dont have first hand experience. Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
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Reply #1 Saturday, June 7, 2003 7:51 AM
These are not that cheap and need decent cooling space, but are worth the money IMHO.
I looked at the new Leadtek Winfast A300 TD Ultra which uses the top of the line NVIDIA FX5800 chip but decided that the best part of A$1000.00 was a bit over the top .....
I'm not into games at all, but I do like to push the pixels around!!!
If you want to keep the price to a reasonable level go for a GeForce4 Ti 4200 and overclock it .....but give it plenty of cooling.