Video Card Questions: So Confused!!!

[Static EMP]

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]

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]

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.

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.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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

 

[b3n]

Id rather the 9600

 

[4W4K3]

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]

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

 

[4W4K3]

- 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

yah, that's why i voted for option #3 lol. Pro or XT. wow...64bit, that's pretty sad for $200 card. where did you find that card?

 

[Praetor]

I read in a forum that a Radeon 9500 Pro is better than a 9600 XT

It ISNT but it CAN be (note the wording)

I was under the impression that the higher model #s were newer and better, as was XT...

ATI has a seriously ****ed up way of doing shit like that. Often, within two very closely followed series, the second series models are just remarked and tweaked first series cards.

How come there are better cards with less RAM?

Cuz ram doesnt make a earthshattering difference. Its like having ferrari tires on a focus.

yet, I see a lot of 128 MB at higher costs.

Possibly because people are getting overcharged but more likely because the processing unit is superior.

What is a good fps rating for any game?

No answer to question.

but then seen Quake 3 benchmarks at 150 (?! How do they get this high?)?

Quake is an antique game.

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?

The 5900XTs are cheap. So are the 9800Pro-128s and the 6600GTs and by a bit of a stretch the 6800s