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tristan Sneerwell
Registered User
Join date: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
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10-26-2005 06:24
im getting ready to get a new video card.
the old xgi volari v3 128mb i have just shows every thing as white after the new update.
im looking at the geforce fx5500 256mb card on new egg.
does anyone know if its going to be worth it or should i just stop being cheap and get a better card?
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Lecktor Hannibal
YOUR MOM
Join date: 1 Jul 2004
Posts: 6,734
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10-26-2005 06:36
I recommend the highest end Nvidia card you can afford.
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YOUR MOM says, 'Come visit us at SC MKII http://secondcitizen.net ' From: Khamon Fate Oh, Lecktor, you're terrible. Bikers have more fun than people !
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Lordfly Digeridoo
Prim Orchestrator
Join date: 21 Jul 2003
Posts: 3,628
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10-26-2005 06:37
From: tristan Sneerwell im getting ready to get a new video card.
the old xgi volari v3 128mb i have just shows every thing as white after the new update.
im looking at the geforce fx5500 256mb card on new egg.
does anyone know if its going to be worth it or should i just stop being cheap and get a better card? I might be wrong, but I think the fx5500 is a nerfed version of the fx5700 (my card). ie it has less pipelines or whatnot, or maybe not enough ninjas keeping the core cool or something. My 5700 runs SL just dandy, and if I'm not mistaken, is fairly cheap nowadays. Just don't get an ATI card.... SL and ATI are fighting. LF
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Ingrid Ingersoll
Archived
Join date: 10 Aug 2004
Posts: 4,601
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10-26-2005 06:42
From: Lordfly Digeridoo
Just don't get an ATI card.... SL and ATI are fighting.
It's true, they're good cards but they hate each other. I had one. It fried. Stick with nvidia. |
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Ex0dUs Montagne
Registered User
Join date: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 109
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10-26-2005 09:33
I do very well with my ATI card, but i believe ive just been one of the lucky ones, and i do use heavily modded drivers.
If youre main app is SL, id have to agree the highest end Nvidia card you can find in your budget would be the best option. If your buying new, i personally wouldnt go less than a 6600GT if you want it to stay current with developments for a while. Others will disagree there im sure hehe.
Dont go for something cheap and think your saving money etc, its your video card, if you dont spend a decent amount on it, you wont be happy maybe now, and you certainly wont be happy in 6 months time as things develop.
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Damanios Thetan
looking in
Join date: 6 Mar 2004
Posts: 992
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10-26-2005 09:48
Buying a top of the line supercard for $500,- is probably overkill. SL is generally CPU bound, so except for better anti-aliasing, a 6600GT and a 7800GTX will basically show the same FPS.
The only other factor is texture memory, as SL eats texture memory for lunch. Although this is relative too... some texture mem is so slow (256MB Geforce 5200 like cards), that it's better to look at cards with less, but faster memory.
In conclusion:
Usually on a regular system (2.5-3.2Ghz CPU), a higher middle of the range card like a 6600(GT) or a 6800 is a good choice. If you want super high quality anti aliasing etc. go a step higher with 7800 cards, but these are generally overkill if you just use them for SL.
And, yes, these are all Nvidia. You can go ATI, but the results differ a lot according to type, driver version etc. so there's a risk. And atm, ATI cards usually don't offer better deals in the middle/high range anyways.
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