Graphics Cards

AKMG · #1 01-24-2007, 10:03 PM

OK so I'm in the market for a new graphics card and I was wondering what's a good graphics card to buy? My criteria are:

-Budget card, yet quality. Around $200ish. Willing to spend slightly more and of course much less

-nVidia chipset; nVidia 6800 or higher

-256MB/512MB

-SLi-Ready

-PCI-e format

-Decent manufacture brand... like BFG or something of the sort. Not some no name card.

-Powerful enough for video editing and gaming

**jaxadam** · #2 01-24-2007, 10:56 PM

Although computers and technology get better every hour, I always liked and had good luck with Nvidia.

I have an ATI 9700 in one of my laptops, and although it is not bad, I have a real problem updating drivers.

I've never really had any problems with the Geforce line of Nvidia stuff.

nightfiend14 · #3 01-24-2007, 11:18 PM

cruise on over to n-e-w-e-g-g.com. you should be able to search by nvidia chipsets and narrow your search more with the other criteria that you have and should easily be able to find one you like with lots of good reviews for 200 or less.

fettouhi · #4 01-25-2007, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxadam

Although computers and technology get better every hour, I always liked and had good luck with Nvidia.

I have an ATI 9700 in one of my laptops, and although it is not bad, I have a real problem updating drivers.

I've never really had any problems with the Geforce line of Nvidia stuff.

ATI drivers are horrible especially on linux. This is the reason why I have switched to Nvidia.

Regards

André

Rotti · #5 01-25-2007, 09:19 AM

I can't believe ATI still has driver issues. I'm not into computers like I used to be but back in the old days ATI was known for bad drivers. I thought they had that all worked out.

AirGuitar · #6 01-25-2007, 09:54 AM

On Windows, ive never had any problems with ATI drivers.

When updating drivers you should always uninstall the old driver, and use Driver Cleaner to get rid of any files that are left, then install the new drivers. That applies to both ATI and nVidia ones.

The CCC is actually pretty good, and does let you control every aspect of the card. It does take a little time to load, but its not like your going to have to chance the settings very often.

Texter · #7 01-25-2007, 11:44 AM

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

Carlo · #8 01-25-2007, 04:17 PM

I have the BFG GeForce 7800 GTO. I think it should be pretty cheap by now. It handles Oblivion and FEAR very well.

fyrie · #9 01-25-2007, 05:30 PM

I swore off ATI many years ago because the drivers used to be so bad. One of my buddies did the same, but started using ATI again a couple years ago, and I will say that his system is very stable, and he has no issues with his ATI cards.

I still use nVidia, and if you ever want to do 3d gaming in linux, nVidia is the winner hands down, as long as closed source drivers don't bother you.

bluealien · #10 01-25-2007, 05:52 PM

Since I do graphic design / gaming / mods, I actually have both ATI & Nvida on both of my highend PC - XP, I have run into issues with both driver sets based on games and monitor resolution - especially widescreen, so you need to always read the release notes of the new drivers your getting, or you may get a new problem based on you PCs configuration or games playing....

Example or a current issues:
ATI 7.1 - Battlefield 2: Attempting to launch the game under Windows XP with the in-game display setting at 1920x1440 or 2048x1536 and AA set to 6x may result in the game failing to launch. Further details can be found in topic number 737-22817

While Nvidia, has its own set of issues, based on specific config.

newbieguitarmaker · #11 01-25-2007, 06:21 PM

NVIDIA! its your choice between the 7 series cards. I just got a 7600gt but i had a 150 dollar budget, but it runs way faster than my old 6600gt

AirGuitar · #12 01-25-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluealien

Since I do graphic design / gaming / mods, I actually have both ATI & Nvida on both of my highend PC - XP, I have run into issues with both driver sets based on games and monitor resolution - especially widescreen, so you need to always read the release notes of the new drivers your getting, or you may get a new problem based on you PCs configuration or games playing....

I havent had any issues wire widescreen resolutions on my X1900XTX or my old 7800GT. The only problems were windows seemed to miss out certain resolutions like 1440x900, and for games that just displayed the windows resolutions, it wasnt possible to choose the missing resolutions.

Since getting my X1900 i run everything at 1920x1200 anyway though

.

Ive just realised my card is almost a year old now, its done quite well really!

waylay00 · #13 01-25-2007, 08:46 PM

I say 7900GT...

AKMG · #14 01-25-2007, 09:09 PM

Yeah that's one of the main reasons I'm switching. Even with the latest drivers, my card is very buggy and laggy. The 7900 seems like a decent price, but I'm always open to more cheaper options

**jemsite** · #15 01-25-2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKMG

OK so I'm in the market for a new graphics card and I was wondering what's a good graphics card to buy? My criteria are:

-Budget card, yet quality. Around $200ish. Willing to spend slightly more and of course much less

-nVidia chipset; nVidia 6800 or higher

-256MB/512MB

-SLi-Ready

-PCI-e format

-Decent manufacture brand... like BFG or something of the sort. Not some no name card.

none of this criteria makes any sense given 99% of all new cards fit it.

when buying a video card you need to determine INTENDED USE (ie. what you specifically are going to do and what applications will be run) and work from there. i've used nVidia and ATI with great success, including integrated cards on newer motherboards... glen