Graphics Cards

[Harrierfalcon]

I've been poking around for a graphics card, and I came across a relatively cheap one in a Circuit City ad. It was $129, minus a $10 mail-in rebate. The specs aren't terrific, but it caught my attention because it had DirectX 10.

It's only $99 after a rebate at Newegg: Linky

Now, I've been instructed by my techie uncle that since it only is a 128-bit memory interface, it won't be as fast as if it had a 256. It has 256 of GDDR3 RAM, which I'm guessing is a good thing.

However, my uncle also noted that it would run any game I would throw at it now (B2142, UT2k4), but it probably wouldn't run latter games all that well. He also said that it probably would only get me about 30fps consistently in UT2k4, which would be a big improvement over the average 14fps I get in Onslaught maps. So, where can I get a relatively cheap card for $100-$200 that would decently run UT2K4 and some later games?

(Or, where can I get a card that is similar but has a 256-bit interface?)

[Liazon]

i duno much about gfx cards, but it looks like a good deal to me. much better than what I have.

spengo always recommends this site for comparisons, reviews, a prices gpureview (not g-pure-view, lol)

[Harrierfalcon]

Mostly good reviews, methinks, and the specs seem a tad better than Newegg. Both say it has 32 pixel pipelines, but I doubt those are all open. Time for some OC'ing !

I finally understood my uncle's handwriting on the PC Halo CD he gave us, so yet another reason (from him XD, he gave me UT2K4 too ) to get a good GFX card.

[NETWizz]

I have a 7600 GT in a PC and it gets more than 30 fps in UT2K4

[Harrierfalcon]

Hm. GPU Review says that mine is about the same, save for a few function-specific accelerations (shader, texture).

Does it get a consistant 30fps, even in outdoor places, like when you're flying in a Raptor? (IIRC, I've seen my fps above 100 if I look at the ground XD)

[Taricorp]

The 8600 series is pretty solid, but don't expect amazing frame rates in newer games, especially if you plan to use a DX10 render path (most of the DX10 cards around offer pretty anemic performance in DX10 mode).

What sort of GPU do you have now, anyway? If it's a newer one (7000 series or so), I might suggest that you wait a bit (if November is 'a bit') for the 9000 series, which should offer much better DX10 performance. That said, the 8600 is a good choice if you only expect to run games in DX9, and want to upgrade now.

[Harrierfalcon]

Hehehe...I'm still on integrated. They're not all that bad, it runs UT (not 2k4) at full settings at a very high and consistant FPS.

[Cure]

I have a Nvidia Geforce 6200 overclocked, and it gets me a constant > 30 fps in UT2K4, with settings maxed.

Also, make sure you have a PCI Express slot before ordering that card.

[Harrierfalcon]

Yeah, I know, I'm a little more competent hardware-wise than I usually say I am. I have a PCI-E slot.

[Taricorp]

I'd say it's a good choice, and the games you mentioned should show an impressive improvement.

My card is a Radeon X1600 Pro (which gets blown out of the water by an 8600), and I get great (well.. I don't have any numbers, but it performs just fine) frame rates in UT2k4 maxed out, and with BF2142 on the 'high' detail settings.

The 8600 is a good choice for you, and it's a great deal at $100. Newegg says there aren't _any_ DX10 cards with 256 bit memory interfaces, so you're stuck at 128 bit unless you want to go up to an 8800 GTS with a 320 bit interface. I say go for the 8600.

[Harrierfalcon]

OK. Problem is, I was a little too patient in getting your guys opinion. Newegg cut the $15 rebate, so it's @114.99. Still a good deal IMO, but my parents think otherwise.

[justusdude]

What kind of GPU do you think would be the minimum to run Bioshock well?

[Cure]

As far as I see, the rebate is still there.

[Harrierfalcon]

Huh. Well, it wasn't yesterday...Now I can bug my parents again .

(I'd guess that, if I were someone else reading this, that HF's a spoiled kid. He's not, he has to buy the card himself.)

[Taricorp]