Graphic Cards
 

Does anyone know how I can test my graphic card's performance?

And I could do with some advice on buying a new one. I currently own a ****ty G-Force 2 mx 400 (I know, I know). I've got a budget of £160. I was looking at a G-Force 5900 128mb but I'm not sure. Please help!!!!

Re: Graphic Cards
 

u want to test ur current card ? or see how the new one u want performs ?

Re: Graphic Cards
 

You can use 3dMark to test the performance of your card. You can then compare cards with these stats, as reviews such as those on tom's hardware display these results.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Use 3DMark 2000 or 2001, don't use 2003 because the MX400 will only play the first scene.

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9800pro's are fairly cheap from OCUK and some other places.. You might even be able to get a XT for close to that price now?

Re: Graphic Cards
 

9800 pro's are solid cards and are indeed mainstream stuff now, x600's and stuff will be avaliable soon and i believe they will be 8 pipeline parts like the 9800's but may have faster cores and newer features. Though they are a few months away at least.
I would stay away from the 5*** series nvidia's they're arent that good. 6800 GT's will be a steal but a little out of your price range i think, 6800 standards i'm unsure of there performance at this point could be quite stodgy as they are cut back tech (less pipelines slower speed etc)

K

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Have a look at the Radeon 9600 256MB Pro's. There's one by PowerColor, only £100. Very nice card.

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I'd get the Radeon 128MB 9600XT, a 9600 wouldn't really use 256MB DRAM.

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Has anybody got any links for cheap graphics cards ?? like the one's mentioned above. Cheers ;)

Re: Graphic Cards
 

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...00_Series.html

140ish are the 9800pro's... I reckon its worth it compared to getting a 9600xt.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

I've been offered a Radeon 9800 pro 128mb for £90. The catch is though i've got to wait until he's bought the new 6800 nvidia. Dunno what to do. My mind was made up on a G-Force 5900 until i saw an earlier post stated to keep away. Some one advise me on wat to get or has some one got a site where i can get one from apart from overclockers.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Get the Radeon, you'll be glad you waited because it's even faster than the GF FX5900 Ultra in a lot of games.
It's a steal at £90.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

http://www20.graphics.tomshardware.c...229/index.html
A BIG group test, ranging from the Geforce 4MX, up to the 9800XT and FX5950 Ultra.

Wiunners in a straight shootout...
UT2003 - 9800Pro
BF1942 WW11 - 9800Pro
COD - 9800Pro
Q3TA - 5900XT (an older game, and is this OpenGL?)
WC3 Frozen Throne - 9800Pro (but looks like many topped out at the same level)
C&C Generals - 9800Pro (5900XT a long way down the table, but the results are also more or less flatlining)
Halo - 9800Pro
Nascar 2004 - 9800Pro
X2 Rolling demo - 5900XT
Aquamark 3 - 9800Pro

The 5900XT seems to lag more as the quality is turned up to the max, but is still a creditable card, but unless you have anything against ATI (historically, Nvidia have had better drivers), but if you have the offer of a 9800Pro at under £100, I wouldn't look for anything else.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Thanks for the link :)

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Thanx for all ure help guys. I've just texted him to say I'll wait til he's ready (bet ya he's sold the thing) I've read that u have to connect the 9800 to the power supply. Is this a tricky task? How do u do it?

Re: Graphic Cards
 

It's dead easy, it comes with a cable that you connect in between the power cable for the hard disk and the hard disk itself. :)

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Better to connected an unused power connecter if available ... most high-end cards use a power feed now, as they are goung beyond the AGP slot power limits - they can also tip a system that's marginal for power supply capacity over the edge.

If you have any less than a standard 300w PSU, or a very low quality 300w PSU, then it could be borderline.

Some 300w case PSU's are quite decent (mine survived a bake when the fan failed, and has since been put back in when a supposed 400w dual fan unit started to die on me).

Some unknown name / cheap name PSU's are total junk, incapable of delivering full rating with acceptable power quality.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Re: Graphic Cards
 

whats a better card fx5200 or the radeon 9600

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9600 by a long way.

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^^ What he said.

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will it play half life 2, my 5200 do's but in low spec

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It will, but if you can get hold of a 9800 Pro then you'll enjoy the game a lot more.
You can pick one up new for around £100.

Re: Graphic Cards
 

Blimey, this thread's a bit of an old one to resurrect.

As Rich says, you can get a 9800 Pro for bang-on £100 these days, and the card is so much better than a 9600.