What video card would you recommend? [half life 2] [doom 3]
Q: Hi everyone, I just bought this computer and Im waiting for her to come in the mail. Im looking to be able to see what video card I should be able to play Doom 3 and Half Life 2 pretty well . if at all possible. Preferably if I could find anywhere on the map below for $ 100. I am very new to this is if I could help I would really appreciate it.
Sempron 2200 + system I think its like 1.6 GHz or similar that
ECS motherboard
GX 741 (Supported CPU: AMD K7 Athlon XP / Athlon /
Chipset Duron processors: SiS 741GX + SiS 964L
FSB: 333/266MHz
Memory: 2x DDR333 DIMM for / 266 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x ATA devices 133-4
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 3x PCI, 1x CNR
Ports: 2xPS / 2.1 xLPT, 1xVGA, 1x COM, 1xLAN, 8xUSB2.0 (Rear 4 )
Onboard Audio Ports Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-channel Codec
Onboard Video: SiS Real256E 2D/3D graphics memory 32/64MB
Onboard LAN: Realtek 8201 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Form Factor: microATX) DDR PC3200 WD 7200RPM HDD
512MB
40GB
Windows shared XP installed.
Best Answer: haha! good lag comparison. yeah thats a GIANT lag. get 512mb more ram and then the only way to really play it like it's on PS3 (besides in DX10) is get a high end card like an 8800 or 2900. it's spendy but the only way. if price don't matter and your computer is capable of everything (hd speed, mem speed, cpu speed), then go for the HD2900xt otherwise an 8800 gtx will do fine. Just don't get the 8800 gt or gts. You'll still lag a lil in the graphics. Thats an expensive question.
Re:If you do decide to get a 9600Pro card, don't buy the one that Zakee00 recommended up top (no offense zakee!)
Here's a better card that's even cheaper than his suggestion:
MSI Ati 9600Pro AGP (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-152&depa=0)
The Powercolor 9600 he linked to only has 400mhz core and 400mhz ram.
The MSI 9600 card has 400mhz core and 600mhz ram.
I'd say go with this card or if you want more power for around $150 price range, then go with this card:
Leaktek 6600 AGP (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-217&depa=0)
This card will be much faster in Doom3 than a 9600pro would be and a little faster in HL2 and other games in general.
Re:You know, I'd be really hesitant to bother with upgrading more than the video card on your system. Socket A is pretty much dead. Yeah you can get a 3000+ 333, which would help, but it's only going to carry you so far. Take it from someone who has just about the best you can get as far as Socket A stuff goes, save your money and get a A64 rig.
By all means, go for the video card, as it will give you a good tide me over boost, but after that, save about $500 and go to the 64 bit side the right way. Get a 6600GT(or 6800, or a Radeon x8×0XT), a 3200+ 939, and an nForce 3 or 4 mobo.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
I got a 9700pro and its great. Look for one of those. Don't get a 6200, a 6600 is the same price anyway.
Yeah, but you're also a lyin' bastard.
Anyway, I agree with the others. A 9600Pro\XT new, or 9700Pro used. Both can be had for about $100. I also agree with guy. If you're willing to spend a little extra, get the 6200. Most of the time, you can unlock its extra 4 pipes (turning it into an 8-pipe card), and then overclock the sh*t out of it, for pretty great performance, actually. guy, you're somewhat right about the deal with his 2200+, but, if he decides to upgrade soon, then he'll want a better videocard than a 9600Pro, which a 6200 would no doubt do for him. Besides, I would suggest he DOES take a look at some upgrade options, as his SiS chipset mobo is really outdated, and on top of that, its an underperformer. His games will thank him
Re:looks like I'd be good goin with the 9600 or 9700 pro.
now i am looking to upgrade from my sempron 2200+ because i realize it's gonna limit me. i'm looking to upgrade to an amd athlon xp 3000+ since they are pretty cheap and it's te best one my mobo can handle. would I still be good going wtith the 9600 or 9700? or would there be a better one that is sub 150-ish?
I know I'm difficult, hehe. Thanks for all your help so far guys, i appreciate it
Re:I got a 9700pro and its great. Look for one of those. Don't get a 6200, a 6600 is the same price anyway.
Re:get a used 9700pro on these forums (or ebay). much faster than 9600pro, and the used price is around $100 now.
Re:SM3.0 will run like crap on that card.
He'd be better off with a 9600 Pro. An it's not like his 2200 is gonna carry him FAR anyway.
Re:get a 6200 (nvidia) and no, it isnt crappy. you can unlock pipelines on it an OC it, making it perform like a 6600, and it also has shader model 3.0
(which will be a huge benefit for next generation games, and is highly recommended if you want to play any games made after 2005) which any ati card out currently has only version 2.0
for $100, you really cant go wrong with a 6200
Re:thanks guys…i appreciate all of your help
Re:Radeon 9700 will be enough, but not under 100.
neat $100 a Radeon 9600PRO 128MB will let you play HL2 with the high settings (you will be limited by the rest of your system) and Doom 3 in medium settings smoohtly (Will be limited by the rest of your system)
Re:As everyone else said, the 9600 Pro if you want to buy from a retailer or you could fish around the FS/FT forums for a used 9700 Pro, maybe even a 9800.
Re:If you're a first time video card shopper, be extra careful to make sure the card you get is 128 bit and not 64 bit. Some of the card companies like to offer neutered 64 bit cards for a little less than the 128 bit cards.
Re:If you're willing to go used, check out the FS/FT forums. You might be able to get a 9700pro for right around $100. Excellent card for the money.
If new, I think a 9600pto like above would be a good bet.
If you like the idea of softmoding, maybe a 6200 would be up your alley. I'm no expert, but I know some can have their pipelines unlocked to function as a 6600. This would be a really nice performer.
Re:thanks. anyone else wit suggestions?
Re:http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-221&depa=0
used to have this card, it did pretty good on Doom III espeically for ~$100.
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Tags: doom 3, half life 2