Video Card Questions: So Confused!!!

Static EMP · 10-26-2004, 07:44 AM

I had a GeForce 4 Ti4600 AGP. It broke so I had to buy a new video card. I bought the BFG GeForce FX 5500 OC 256 MB AGP. Unfortunately, I now realize that it was a bad choice, and I want to choose a new video card. I have been doing so much research but it is so confusing with all the specs and types of cards out there. If anyone can answer any of these questions for me, it would be greatly appreciated:

1. What do all the acronyms and words mean on a video card? What is the difference between XT, Pro, SE, LE, GT, Ultra, FX, Radeon, and all these other things I see at the end of video cards? What do these stand for? What's the difference?

2. I've seen comparisons of forums saying certain lower model number video cards are better than higher ones. Just recently I read in a forum that a Radeon 9500 Pro is better than a 9600 XT. I was under the impression that the higher model #s were newer and better, as was XT...

3. How come there are better cards with less RAM? The main reason I bought my BFG was cause it had 256 MB of RAM for a really good price; yet, I see a lot of 128 MB at higher costs. I'm so confused!

4. What is a good fps rating for any game? What fps should I want to see when I'm playing my games? I've seen benchmarks as low as 20-30, but then seen Quake 3 benchmarks at 150 (?! How do they get this high?)?

5. Finally, I am definitely going to sell my 5500, and want to get a new video card. Normally I'd go for top of the line, but I'll probably purchase a new computer next year, but I want a good one to hold me over for now that can run high quality graphics on a decent resolution for new games, such as Doom 3, Far Cry, and soon Half-Life 2. I don't need great frame rates at 1600 x 1200 on Ultra Quality settings just yet, but I do want High quality... what would be a good video card to go with?

Thank you!

P11 · 10-26-2004, 01:53 PM

I have a GeForce FX 5500 256 DDR AGP and it runs perfect it has more than what most games needs....i don't see what ure comlaining about buying somthing better is just a waste of money-but if u got the money go ahead.

4W4K3 · 10-26-2004, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Static EMP

1. What do all the acronyms and words mean on a video card? What is the difference between XT, Pro, SE, LE, GT, Ultra, FX, Radeon, and all these other things I see at the end of video cards? What do these stand for? What's the difference?

XT and Pro edition cards (ATi) are generally overclocked slighty, run faster. SE and LE you don't want, they are pretty much hacked up versions of the original cards, hence why they are mostly cheaper in price. Ultra and FX are the same as XT and Pro (overclocked slightly, run faster tahn original version), cept there on nvidia cards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Static EMP

2. I've seen comparisons of forums saying certain lower model number video cards are better than higher ones. Just recently I read in a forum that a Radeon 9500 Pro is better than a 9600 XT. I was under the impression that the higher model #s were newer and better, as was XT...

that perticular comparison works because the 9500 was meant to be a pure gaming card, and the 9600 was more of a budget card. The differences aren't incredible, and because the 9500's are so hard to find, a 9600 will probably be your only chance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Static EMP

3. How come there are better cards with less RAM? The main reason I bought my BFG was cause it had 256 MB of RAM for a really good price; yet, I see a lot of 128 MB at higher costs. I'm so confused!

They have better cores, more pipelines, possibly higher transfer rate (256bit compare to 128bit) they might have better rated RAM's, and they might be ALL-In-Wonder cards. More memory doesn't mean beter performance all the time.

P11 · 10-26-2004, 03:11 PM

4W4K3 I have a question for you what card is better for gaming?(I'm comparing on price) :

ATI Radeon 9600SE 128MB Video Card (or) $199 CAN

Geforce 5500FX 256MB $149 CAN (after rebates)

Blue · 10-26-2004, 04:50 PM

Quote:

I have a GeForce FX 5500 256 DDR AGP and it runs perfect it has more than what most games needs....i don't see what ure comlaining about buying somthing better is just a waste of money-but if u got the money go ahead.

I dont agree with that at all.

Quote:

4W4K3 I have a question for you what card is better for gaming?(I'm comparing on price) :

ATI Radeon 9600SE 128MB Video Card (or) $199 CAN

Geforce 5500FX 256MB $149 CAN (after rebates)

You should start your own thread.

4W4K3 · 10-27-2004, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue

I dont agree with that at all.

Me neither, the 5500 isn't gonna run ALL games by a long shot. even with 256mb of ram, it will still lose to a higher end card fps wise. about the vid card question though, you can get a 9600XT 128MB for $150 (i got one for a friend from fry's just 2 days ago)...the SE is a dumbed down version with less pipes i believe.

P11 · 10-27-2004, 03:58 AM

so in other words the Geforce 5500FX is better then the radeon 9600SE ?

b3n · 10-27-2004, 04:24 AM

Id rather the 9600

4W4K3 · 10-27-2004, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P11

so in other words the Geforce 5500FX is better then the radeon 9600SE ?

theres ALOT to consider. they are both different makes (nvidia/ati) clock speeds, pipelines transfer rate, which comes with higher rated RAM's. i would go with the 9600 personally...but not the SE. what you are paying for the SE, you could get a Pro for online i bet. look for a Pro or XT...they might be on sale.

**Praetor** · 10-27-2004, 02:37 PM

Its most likely a better configuration.
- Both have 4/2 pipe structures
- The 5500 is a 128bit mem card, the 9600 here is a 64bit part so regardless of any clock advantage the 9600 might have, its sorely limited by the memory

One vote for the 5500

10-26-2004, 07:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Static EMP New Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3	Video Card Questions: So Confused!!! I had a GeForce 4 Ti4600 AGP. It broke so I had to buy a new video card. I bought the BFG GeForce FX 5500 OC 256 MB AGP. Unfortunately, I now realize that it was a bad choice, and I want to choose a new video card. I have been doing so much research but it is so confusing with all the specs and types of cards out there. If anyone can answer any of these questions for me, it would be greatly appreciated: 1. What do all the acronyms and words mean on a video card? What is the difference between XT, Pro, SE, LE, GT, Ultra, FX, Radeon, and all these other things I see at the end of video cards? What do these stand for? What's the difference? 2. I've seen comparisons of forums saying certain lower model number video cards are better than higher ones. Just recently I read in a forum that a Radeon 9500 Pro is better than a 9600 XT. I was under the impression that the higher model #s were newer and better, as was XT... 3. How come there are better cards with less RAM? The main reason I bought my BFG was cause it had 256 MB of RAM for a really good price; yet, I see a lot of 128 MB at higher costs. I'm so confused! 4. What is a good fps rating for any game? What fps should I want to see when I'm playing my games? I've seen benchmarks as low as 20-30, but then seen Quake 3 benchmarks at 150 (?! How do they get this high?)? 5. Finally, I am definitely going to sell my 5500, and want to get a new video card. Normally I'd go for top of the line, but I'll probably purchase a new computer next year, but I want a good one to hold me over for now that can run high quality graphics on a decent resolution for new games, such as Doom 3, Far Cry, and soon Half-Life 2. I don't need great frame rates at 1600 x 1200 on Ultra Quality settings just yet, but I do want High quality... what would be a good video card to go with? Thank you! __________________ "Stop having idols, and start being one." -- Me

10-27-2004, 04:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
b3n VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 373	Id rather the 9600 __________________ WinXP Home SP2 Intel Celeron D 3.1ghz XFX nVidia Geforce4 MX4000 128mb AGP 8x 512mb RAM 160 HD (2x80GB) Lite-On DL CDRW/DVD -/+ R RW 16x 17" LCD - 1280x1024@75hz www.glaciagames.com

10-27-2004, 02:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Praetor Administrator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Age: 25 Posts: 19,955	Its most likely a better configuration. - Both have 4/2 pipe structures - The 5500 is a 128bit mem card, the 9600 here is a 64bit part so regardless of any clock advantage the 9600 might have, its sorely limited by the memory One vote for the 5500 __________________ ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, Q6600@3.7 / ASUS P5ND, E6400@3.8 4GB OCz Platinum XTC 8500 / 4GB CorsairXMS2 6400 5x500GB Seagate 7200.10 / 2x500 Seagate 7200.10 OCz 8800GTX 768MB @ 630/800 / 2x Galaxy 8800GT SLI

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10-26-2004, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
P11 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto Age: 19 Posts: 1,311	I have a GeForce FX 5500 256 DDR AGP and it runs perfect it has more than what most games needs....i don't see what ure comlaining about buying somthing better is just a waste of money-but if u got the money go ahead.

10-26-2004, 03:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
P11 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto Age: 19 Posts: 1,311	4W4K3 I have a question for you what card is better for gaming?(I'm comparing on price) : ATI Radeon 9600SE 128MB Video Card (or) $199 CAN Geforce 5500FX 256MB $149 CAN (after rebates)

10-27-2004, 03:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
P11 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto Age: 19 Posts: 1,311	so in other words the Geforce 5500FX is better then the radeon 9600SE ?