which card?

[mattli]

sorry, kind of an amaterish question, but i am looking for a video card that will give me dual monitor support as well as some pretty solid specs, nothing too fancy though. ive done some research, but i just want some firsthand opinions. basically, i have been considering the ati 9200 and 9600 series. what cards would give me the best overall deal? thanks for the help.

--mattli

 

[4W4K3]

i wouldn't get a 9200. i got this one for $50 and it's not much at all..can't even overclock (locked BIOS). the 9600's and up are what u want. considering nvidia?

 

[Blue]

ya the 9600Pro or XT model over the 9200 anyday.

 

[mattli]

thanks for the input!

thanks for the help, yea i did consider the nvidia's but i just feel like the general consensus is that people prefer ati's instead. am i wrong?

 

[Praetor]

To be honest, who cares what people think? Get what YOU want and suits YOUR needs/budget

 

[mattli]

you are right praetor, but i just figured there was a reason behind it.

 

[ZER0X]

Budget wise....obviously a radeon 9200, extra cash get a Radeon9600 thats if your looking into just those cards

 

[Praetor]

you are right praetor, but I just figured there was a reason behind it.

You'll get the best deal prolly from the 9600/9600Pro and the 5700LE/5700 cards from ATI and nVidia respectively

Budget wise....obviously a radeon 9200

Good call but you can get the 5200, usually for $5 more and often its the 128bit model (rather than the 64bit model as per the 9200SE -- and the 9200 is usually more expensive than the 5200)

 

[mattli]

thanks for the help everyone. i think im going to go ahead and get a 9600 pro.

regards,
mattli

 

[4W4K3]

Good call but you can get the 5200, usually for $5 more and often its the 128bit model

If you find a local computer shop...you might get one for ~$50 (9200). I got mine from microcenter on sale , and it's "128-bit DDR memory interface, featureing HYPER-Z bandwidth conversing technology" bla bla bla lol. If they are both 128bit, and lets assume same price, which would be better? the 5200 or the 9200?

 

[ZER0X]

If you find a local computer shop...you might get one for ~$50 (9200). I got mine from microcenter on sale , and it's "128-bit DDR memory interface, featureing HYPER-Z bandwidth conversing technology" bla bla bla lol. If they are both 128bit, and lets assume same price, which would be better? the 5200 or the 9200?

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NDkw theres a comparosin

 

[Praetor]

If they are both 128bit, and lets assume same price, which would be better? the 5200 or the 9200?

Well let's have a lookie:
9200
Clock: 250/200(400)
Pipe: 4/2
Memory: 128/256MB (128bit)

5200
Clock: 250/200(400)
Pipe: 4/2
Memory: 128/256MB (128bit)

Hardware-wise it doesnt matte rmuch (so thats speaks volumes for people that say "The 9200/5200 is soooooooooo much better!" ) Now if you (qualitatively) look at drivers, it might appear that the 5200 would come out on top but its not an earthshattering difference and often not worth that big of a mention

 

[4W4K3]

interesting...i'm going computer shopping with a friend today to upgrade his computer. he was looking at the 5200's for light gaming. maybe i can find him a 9200 worth overclocking for cheaper. thnx for the "review"

 

[Praetor]

No problem, realistically you're not gonna geta world of performance improvement on anythign short of a 100/50Mhz OC but you can always try