09-20-2004, 11:01 AM | #1 |
Ironworks Moderator
Join Date: February 28, 2001
Location: Boston/Sydney
Posts: 11,771
|
I'm planning to finally upgrade my video card - I was thinking of getting an FX5900 but can't justify spending over $300 AUD on a video card since I don't really play FPS like Doom 3 or Far Cry. I've currently got a Nvidia GEforce2 MX400, so keep this in consideration.
The games I will be using this for will be mainly: Rome Total War Medieval Total War Civ III NBA Live 2005 FIFA 2005 NWN Morrowind Rise of Nations KOTOR (I and II) Mainly this kind of stuff - RPGs, strat games, maybe the odd driving game. I'm also planning to watch DVDs on my PC (got myself a DVD burner and a 17" LCD). Animal's told me of some problems with the ATI cards with OpenGL stuff like NWN and KOTOR, so I want to stick to NVidia. I was thinking of getting this one (cost $220 AUD, approx. $165 US). Albatron's FX5700Q System Requirement 1. Free AGP port 8X/4X 2. CD or DVD ROM for software installation 3. 32MB system RAM minimum 4. 30MB free hard disk space minimum 5. Operation system - Windows® XP, Windows® Me, Windows® 98, Windows® 2000, Windows® NT Albatron's FX5700Q Features 1. Powered by nVIDIA GeForce FX5700 GPU 2. AGP 8X with AGP Texturing and Fast Writes 3. CineFX 2.0 Engine supports DirectX9.0 & OpenGL1.5 4. NVIDIA Intellisample High-resolution Compression Technology 5. NVIDIA UltraShadow Technology 6. RAMDACs 400MHz 7. D-Sub, TV-out and DVI Ports 8. Supports nView Technology FX5700 Chipset Features 1.CineFXTM 2.0 Engine (1)Powers cinematic effects beyond imagination (2)With advanced vertex and pixel shader capabilities, stunning and complex special effects are possible. (3)Increase horsepower delivers faster and smoother gameplay. 2.NVIDIA® UltraShadowTM TechnologyAdvance technology designed to enhance the performance of bleeding-dege games that use complex shadows. 3.NVIDIA® IntellisampleTM high-resolution compression technology¡]HCT¡^ (1)Delivers higher image quality through anti-aliasing at frame rates that rival aliased modes. (2)The industry¡¦s fastest and highest quality anti-aliasing. 4.AGP 8X (1)Provides double the bandwidth of AGP 4X ¡V 2.1GB/sec. Vs. 1.1GB/sec. (2)Enables more complex models and detailed textures, creating richer and more lifelike environments. (3)Uninterrupted data flow allows for smoother video streaming and faster, more seamless gameplay. 5..13u Process TechnologyDelivers higher performance through faster clock rates ¡V more MHz! 6.Architected for Cg (1)Ensures that the newest, cutting-edge special effects in applications will run flawlessly. (2)Speeds up content creation so game developers can get their new games out to PC users faster than ever before. 7.Integrated TV encoderProvides best-of-class TV-OUT functionality with resolutions up to 1024x768. 8.Integrated full hardware MPEG-2 decoderDelivers full-frame, full-screen MPEG-2 video on your desktop. 9.NVIDIA® nVIEWTM Multi-display Technology (1)Great multi-display technology (2)Easy-to-use control panel interface (3)A setup wizard makes configuring your desktops a snap. 10.NVIDIA Digital Vibrance ControlTM 3.0 (1)Superior display quality with sharper text and richer color for displaying photographs. (2)User-controllable through a simple interface. 11.400MHz RAMDACsIndustry¡¦s fastest RAMDACs support QXGA displays with ultra-high, ergonomic refresh rates 12.DVIAble to drive large displays with up to 1600x1200 resolution. 13.NVIDIA Unified Driver Architecture¡]UDA¡^ (1)Delivers rock-solid forward and backward compatibility with software drivers. (2)Simplifies upgrading to a new NVIDIA product or drivers because all NVIDIA products work with the same driver software. 14.DirectX 9.0 optimizations and supportEnsures the best performance and application compatibility for all DirectX9 applications. 15.OpenGL 1.5Ensures the best performance and application compatibility for all OpenGL applications Model: ALBATRON NVIDIA GEFORCE FX5700 256Mb DDR, CineFX, Direct X 9 Brand: ALBATRON Warranty: 1 Year Manufacturer's return to base Link: http://www.albatron.com.tw Will this meet my needs? |
09-20-2004, 11:22 AM | #2 |
Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom
Join Date: November 3, 2001
Location: Canada
Age: 63
Posts: 2,871
|
I would just get a Geforce 5800 FX ultra. It's worth it, and is brand name so relatively good support. Haven't heard of the other brand, so it's just a matter of taste. I would recommend it, but what OS and whatnot are you using?
|
09-20-2004, 11:34 AM | #3 |
40th Level Warrior
|
Excellent hardware i'd say, but eh.... you already got NBA Live 2005 overthere ???
__________________
|
09-20-2004, 11:36 AM | #4 |
Ironworks Moderator
Join Date: February 28, 2001
Location: Boston/Sydney
Posts: 11,771
|
Degrader, I'm using WinXP. And Johnny, it's not out yet, but soon. Planning ahead, mate.
|
09-20-2004, 12:08 PM | #5 |
Zartan
Join Date: May 20, 2003
Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland
Age: 35
Posts: 5,225
|
Hmmm. It's a bit of a tough one. It really depends on a couple of things. I mean, this card is ok, but nothing special. Its already back into the older generation of GPUs with the release of the Geforce 6800.
The dilemna is, if you buy this, when will you need to upgrade again? Ok so you don't play Doom 3 etc. but other games are getting better graphics wise too. Do you plan on playing the new GTA for example? If I were you I would spend the extra cash, and get a higher model, or alternatively a 9800 pro would be a nice alternative. Remember, you can get cheaper cards on ebay. Oh yeh, and is there an australian ebuyer? edit: oops, just noticed about you saying you were wanting to stick with Nvidia. Ohwell. I would still recommend looking at the 9800 pro as it is a quality card at an affordable price. [ 09-20-2004, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: RoSs_bg2_rox ]
__________________
[img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> |
09-20-2004, 12:13 PM | #6 | |
40th Level Warrior
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
09-20-2004, 12:18 PM | #7 |
Ironworks Moderator
Join Date: February 28, 2001
Location: Boston/Sydney
Posts: 11,771
|
There is Australian eBay, but most of the cards are ATI cards and I don't want to get ATI, otherwise I'd have gone for a 9600. I just don't want to spend more money that I have to with this, considering my needs. What about an Geforce FX5900XT 128Mb 256bit DDR, DVI, TV Out for $285 AUD? Is that good value? My ceiling is $300 AUD. As for upgrading, I haven't upgraded in 3 years - the only reason I'm considering upgrading is because of Rome Total War.
EDIT: Just read Johnny's comments - my current powersupply is rated at 300KW, so I can't have anything that's going to be a massive power drain... [ 09-20-2004, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: Memnoch ] |
09-20-2004, 12:26 PM | #8 |
Zartan
Join Date: May 20, 2003
Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland
Age: 35
Posts: 5,225
|
Johnny, this is only true if you have a relatively low power supply in the first place. Many custom built/gaming pcs/new pcs will have sufficient supplies. Although I admit it does have to be quite beefy for the job, especially for overclocking it.
Memnoch, according to my source xe.com this works out at £111.75 which I would say is very very good, and much cheaper than it would be over here.
__________________
[img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> |
09-20-2004, 12:51 PM | #9 |
Ironworks Moderator
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Upstate NY USA
Posts: 19,737
|
I've got the GeForce 6800 GT and it does need at least a 380w power supply, I'm told. Mines 400 and seems to be doing ok.
So unless you're upping the wattage, you may want to look at something that takes less juice.
__________________
"Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace) |
09-20-2004, 12:55 PM | #10 |
Ironworks Moderator
Join Date: February 28, 2001
Location: Boston/Sydney
Posts: 11,771
|
Ross, which one? The FX5900XT or the FX5700?
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
More RAM or Video card? | D*Ranged | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 3 | 01-20-2004 02:27 PM |
best video card? | The Hunter of Jahanna | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 3 | 07-09-2002 02:29 AM |
Video Card | Ranger of Life | Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal | 2 | 05-06-2002 03:02 AM |
What's the best video card? | TheDutkanator | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 3 | 11-05-2001 07:24 AM |
Video Card Help | Gaelic | General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005) | 16 | 06-18-2001 03:50 PM |