Which card?

[Doodaddy]

I recently got a PNY GeForce FX5500. I had just RMA'd a card at Newegg (ATI 9600SE). They no longer carry that card, so they've given me the option of being refunded market price or a different card of their choice. I can't decide which of the two cards I'd rather have.

Fx5500 -

http://pny.com/products/verto/value/5500pci.asp

MSI RX9600PRO-TD128

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=RX9600PRO-TD128&class=vga

I don't see a huge difference out of either. Should I take the $80 and be happy?

 

[rvnguy]

Doodaddy,

I take it that you require the PCI interface.

PNY & MSI are both respected as are ATI & NVidia.

While differences are not specifically huge the ATI clk & GPU speed are higher. Shown NV to ATI respectively:

Core Speed 270 vs 400
GPU MHz 400 vs 600

so if you want or can use one of these cards and don't have a ATI vs NV pref the ATI would give higher raw performance. Just remember that it takes softeare to get any of this performance. That depends wholly upon what you do.

If the $ would feel better then do that. (Big Help Huh)


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[felixc]

The 9600Pro has better speed than the 9600SE. As rvnguy says, the money back may be a better choice if you can use it to get a better midrange card like a 9800Pro. If you are doing any 3D games, the 9600Pro is now considered a low-end card. A 9800Pro can keep you happy for another year, where a 9600Pro will make you cry for most of the games that will release this fall.

 

[cdogg]

Also take into account your PC specs. It does little good to throw Ferrari engine muscle into a Ford Escort...

Personally, I would go with the 9600Pro out of the two you mentioned if it's not too much more...

If you just need a video card and could care less about playing the latest games, then the FX5500 will do fine.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[paparazi]

Doodaddy
The FX5500 as I understand it is basically an overclocked FX5200 (very entry level)
The ATI 9600Pro was on the other hand a middle ranking card that would soundly beat an FX5600ultra (the next up from the FX5500)
So as you can see the 9600pro is considerably the faster of the two even though it is the older card.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Doodaddy]

Well, as far as the computer goes, it is an Athlon XP3200+, 1 gig of Kingston PC3200, 500watt power supply, among other things that I don't think would be taken into consideration for this.

But any, I was offered to sell the FX5500 for the same amount I paid for it ($30). Instead of taking the MSI, I'm taking the $80 they offered me. And with a $20 mail in rebate = Free XFX 6600GT.

 

[paparazi]

Doodaddy
Well now you're talking.
The 6600GT is a very respectable performing card and in a differant league compared to the other two VPU's mentioned.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[SkipCox]

Like paparazi said...now you talkin'. Good choice.

Skip

http://skipcox.net

 

[Doodaddy]

Should be in Tuesday.