Graphics card question

[maroondude14]

Hey guys, im need to update my graphics card because my geforce 4 mx is just not delilvering nowadays. () Anyways, first ill give u my basic computer specs:

AMD Athelon XP
2.2 ghz
160 gb hard drive
1 gb ram

I found 2 cards that are in my buget (100-150$)

The first one:

POWERCOLOR XF98-C3L Radeon 9800PRO 128MB 256-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card

Specifications:

Model

Brand POWERCOLOR
Model XF98-C3L
Chipset GPU Radeon 9800PRO
Core clock 380MHz
--------------------------------------
Memory

Memory Clock 674MHz
Memory Size 128MB
Memory Interface 256-bit
Memory Type DDR
-------------------------------------
3D API

DirectX DirectX 9
OpenGL OpenGL 2.0
--------------------------------------
Interface

Interface AGP 4X/8X
--------------------------------------
Ports

D-SUB 1
DVI 1
TV-Out S-Video Out
VIVO No
TV Tuner No
-----------------------------------------
General
Max Resolution 2048x1536@85Hz
SLI Supported No
Operating Systems Supported Windows® XP/2000/NT/ME/98
------------------------------------------
Packaging
Package Contents 3 Cables, VGA via DVI Adapter, 5 CD, Manual
*********************************
Heres the secound one:
eVGA 256-A8-N327-LX Geforce 6200 256MB 128-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card

Specifications

Mode
l
Brand eVGA
Model 256-A8-N327-LX
Chipset GPU Geforce 6200
Core clock 300MHz
PixelPipelines 4
-----------------------------
Memory

Memory Clock 500MHz
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type DDR
-------------------------------
3D API

DirectX DirectX 9
OpenGL OpenGL 1.5
-------------------------------
Interface

Interface AGP 4X/8X
-----------------------------------
Ports
D-SUB 1
DVI 1
TV-Out S-Video/Composite Out
VIVO No
TV Tuner No
-------------------------------------
General
RAMDAC 400 MHz
Max Resolution 2048x1536@85Hz
SLI Supported No
Operating Systems Supported Windows 2000/XP
******************************
Which one is better?
Also, if you can think of a bettter card within my buget post it!
AGP slot is required- i dont have PCI-e

thanks SOOOOOO much, Ethan

PS: These cards are from Newegg! they r the ROXZORS!

 

[chris882e]

Grpahics Card reply

Sounds to me like you have a little but of a debate.


I think I can solve this. I think that you should get something a little more advanced. The Evga is ok and all, but where it is at is XFx agp8x GeForce 66000 GT 128mb DDR, dual dvi. Price? Just a little over your price range. It is $159.00 This is on www.tigerdirect.com I like newegg better buit they still have some nice things.

Good luck man...


Oh and p.s. I am getting the same card and if it is any good I will tell you. I am getting it soon to. I think like a couple weeks...>_>

 

[rdcmmnst]

the card has great reviews over both of your cards buy quite a bit.

 

[Kage]

Yeah, trust me when I say the Geforce 6600GT is a great card!
It'll blow the Radeon 9800 like I have out of the water!

 

[maroondude14]

Thx guys ur a bug help!

I have 2 more questions.

What is the Memeory interface have to do with the performance?
Is there a big difference between 128bit and 256bit?

Also, will a 128mb card with a more recent gpu do better than a 286mb older gpu?

 

[Kage]

FIRST QUESTION:

Yes, its double the amount of bit
If your talking about the amount of RAM on the card though for example 128mb and 256mb then this would matter more with texture cache which could speed the game up, and games will need more texture cache as they are starting to now (why cards are going to come out with 512mb of memory and 1gb instead of 256).

Doom 3 for example on the Ultra Quality setting uses uncompressed textures which gives better quality of course, but to cache all the textures onto the video card, it'd need at least 512mb and so it loads it when needed instead of all together.

SECOND QUESTION:

Yes the second question you asked is true, since the newer card would be faster, as its not all about the memory included. Its the core speed, and amount of rendering pipes too, etc. The memory would only help again about textures etc, but if you have a bad video card (the older one) then of course it won't perform as well in games as a 128mb newer card would

I hope this helps

 

[maroondude14]

anyone eles got an opinion?

 

[Kage]

I'd honestly screw the ones up there and go with the 6600GT, you won't regret it.
If you get the ones up there, you'll end up having to update much sooner, and so will cost more in the long run.

I hope this helps

 

[GeforcebOY1]

Yeh 6600GT its the best in that section of the market and will blow both of them away . It will play all the latest games including Doom3 etc. It also has the new Shader Model 3.0 which means games will look very nice and real so its a must . But so does the 6200 but the 6200 has not got as much power so it will not perform near as good. So 6600 ALL THE WAY.

 

[maroondude14]

Alright u guys have convinced me to buy the 6600GT!

Hey since the 7800 is comingg out wont this push this cards price down?