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Advice Wanted

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AndyApp

Programmer
Dec 20, 2001
259
GB
Ok not what normally gets posted at tek-tips I realise but if anyone could help I would appreciate it.

I recently upgraded my comp. it's now a Dual PIII 1Ghz with 512Mb Mem. I haven't updated hard drive, it's some slow crap thing at the moment, or video card and here is the problem.

I don't have loads to spend but am currently getting severe lag with my 8MB ATI card but I don't know whether to go for a 64MB card, which are affordable, or a 128MB card, which aren't that affordable but if I must I must!

The computer is used for Web/Graphic design using Photoshop and Dreamweaver primarily. Also gaming when I get a new hard drive.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. "Life is like a Ferrari, it goes to fast.
But that's ok, because you can't afford it anyway" - Jim Davis (Garfield)
 
As for the video card, it depends on the type of gamer you consider yourself. If you're into the latest games that use DirectX 8, then you'll want one of the new GeForce4 Ti's, Geforce 3, or the ATI Radeon 8500. Since you're upgrading, now's the time to go the extra step.

If playing the latest games isn't your #1 priority, then a GeForce4 MX (128MB-DDR) or GeForce2 Ultra (64MB-DDR) should work fine for you. Both don't have "vertex shaders" that the newest DirectX 8 games need.

As far as the best cards for Dreamweaver or Photoshop, I haven't a clue. I "think" Matrox still makes excellent cards for CAD and graphic design like that. But you'll spend a pretty penny and sacrifice the ability to play even older games very well.

~cdogg
 
Thanks cdogg,

Think i'm going to go with the Ti a lot more expensive but always better in the long run to go with the best. "Life is like a Ferrari, it goes to fast.
But that's ok, because you can't afford it anyway" - Jim Davis (Garfield)
 
Andy,

Here's an article you may want to skim before you buy. It talks about the upcoming GeForce4 Ti4200 and how it stacks up against other GeForce Ti's. It comes in two flavors ($179 for the 64MB DDR version, and $199 for the 128MB DDR version). It should be released later this month.



~cdogg
 
"The computer is used for Web/Graphic design using Photoshop and Dreamweaver primarily."

The better card is the ATI Radeon. ATI has better display quality, better display options, better display tweakings.

In 2D programs (web design, photoshop, dreamweaver, those and others), there is no real speed difference between a GeForce4 TI 99million (whatever they come out with next), a GeForce2, or an ATI Radeon. The speed differences in these cards is only seen in the 3D environment. Instead of speed, if you want quality of 2D display, that's the ATI card. And they have a far better price/performance ratio.


On a side note, I don't think people really need the latest and most expensive GeForce monster to be happy with gaming. I play games a lot, and I'm still very much happy with my GeForce2 GTS Pro 32meg card. When four steps below the best is still darn good...
 
Yeah, the GeForce2 is still a kick-a** card!

ATI is a fair balance between 3D performance and 2D quality. I can't argue with that...

GEFORCE4 IS ALL ABOUT 3D AND FSAA - NOT JUST SPEED

If gaming is your number one priority, you must go with a card that uses DirectX 8.1 technology. As of right now, most games will play just fine on the GeForce2. But every month, more and more games are coming equipped with programmable shader technology (DX 8). You may not need it now, but if you're an avid gamer you'll drool over the realistic fur, skin, & water rippling effects that will come from upcoming sequels to Doom and Unreal. And you won't be able to help but snicker and scoff when you realize you can actually use FSAA in all of your older games. You'll see an amazing visual improvement in Quake3 alone! That's right and you won't get it from your aging GeForce2!

If you own a Geforce2 GTS 32MB card, ATI Radeon 7500 or older, the time to upgrade is quickly approaching.

So for gaming which one should you go for - ATI or Nvidia? If your concerned about price, then you can find the ATI Radeon 8500 for around $150 after shipping (OEM). It can do most of the above except FSAA will slow it to a crawl. Plus, the GeForce4 Ti4200 sells for $199 retail (probably $185 OEM) and beats the 8500 in every 3D benchmark I've seen - in some cases, even crushes...


Oh and one last thing...don't upgrade to a high-end card unless you own a rig that's sportin' at least a 750MHz Athlon or Pentium. Preferrably 1 GHz or faster on DDR RAM to get the most from the card (Fill Rates are becoming such a pain in the a**).


[deejay]
~cdogg
 
A small aside...in performance reviews, video card RAM makes little diference over 64Mb and only slight differences over 32Mb. There is a 'bigger is better' thing coming at us (mostly from the card manufacturers) and it's just not true. Look for memory bandwidth and memory clock speed.

Gav
A problem with your PC??? Never...
 
gavrc,

I agree with you on the standpoint of yesterday's games. However, what about DirectX 8.1 games and FSAA anti-aliasing? Shouldn't we be concerned with these aspects as well?

Speed is one thing, compatibility is another. The only three cards that fully support 8.1 include ATI 8500 Radeon and Nvidia's GeForce3 and GeForce4 Ti. You've got to have the vertex shaders to experience tomorrow's games, sorry!

Memory bandwidth and clock speed aren't the only important things to watch for anymore.


~cdogg
 
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