Better video card?

[Zakath]

My computer isn't running new games too well, and I think I need to upgrade my video card. I have a pentium 4 3.2 ghz with a gig of RAM. My video card is a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro. Any suggestions on what I should upgrade to?

[john123]

your video card is pretty good considering what i have (radeon 9250). what games are u playing there?

[Zakath]

Well I was just trying to play Quake 4 and it was running pretty shitty even on low settings.

Although it's weird because when F.E.A.R. came out I could run that on medium settings. Maybe my pc is ****ed up.

[john123]

um. try the nvidia geforce 6600(i think thats what it is). im not sure how much it costs though.

[Klown]

um. try the nvidia geforce 6600(i think thats what it is). im not sure how much it costs though.
I have the NVIDEA GeForce 6600 256Mb DDR and it runs all the games/programs I want it to but I don't play any of the raelly new games like Quake 4/F.E.A.R.

It's a solid card though, it should play them well from looking at the rest of your PC specs.

[john123]

look at this. you should get it...http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10063482&catid=20397

[SlapHappySunshine]

The Nvidea I bought sucked the nut, (drivers screwed with my comp) so I had to take it back and get an ATI.

[john123]

my radeon 9250 cant run gta san andreas on 1024 x 761 x 32(something like that) really smoothly

[Zakath]

look at this. you should get it...http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10063482&catid=20397
bad link

And I can run games pretty smoothly except for when there are a bunch of enemies onscreen. Everything slows down like crazy. :(

[JohnXDoe]

On a budget (or even if not) a 6600GT is a very good card. Right now at newegg several models can be had for under $150. That's a bargin by any standard. And since you're going to get a good deal on the card you can upgrade your RAM, too. Say another 512mb to keep cost low. You should see a substantial improvement for a couple hundred dollars investment. And of course you can leave the RAM if you like.

Last weekend newegg had a few 6600GT models for $99 after rebate. It pays to check with them once in awhile to look for those deals. 128mb cards, btw.

[Klown]

bad link

And I can run games pretty smoothly except for when there are a bunch of enemies onscreen. Everything slows down like crazy. :(
The link is good, he just put an extra space in when posting it. :-/

Same link without the extra space. (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10063482&catid=20397)

[JohnXDoe]

Here are some screens of the FEAR demo taken with my 6600GT:

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9863597&postcount=314

Max settings. Now, when I say "max" I mean that in a standard way. The 6600GT as you know is not a 6800 Ultra and certainly not a 7800. AA and screen res by and large can't be maxed while maintaining the other settings without compromise. And some games also have uber settings that only the most powerful of cards can handle. The 6600GT won't do that, either. But it will do everything else and do it well. And while your 9800 PRO is no slouch, benchmarks seem to show the 6600GT is still a substantially better performer. So it will be an improvement. So if a "for now" upgrade is good enough for you, I'd say it's a good choice.

I also have some Chronicles Of Riddick, Painkiller, and Far Cry screens posted on the last page of the Video Game Image thread if you want to check them out.

[Zakath]

alright cool.. thanks John. I'll probably pick up the 6600 when I want to play pc games again.

[Who's the Boss?]

Right now I'm deciding whether to upgrade my videcard to a 6600GT or turn my back on pc gaming. Upgrading your computer every time a new wave of games come out is a little ridiculous if you ask me.

With the PS3 coming out with near pc graphics, ability to play blu-ray discs, amazingly cheap price for what you're getting... I might have to go back to consoles.

(Will probably end up upgrading and buying ps3 because poster is a sucker)

[bassplayer18]

6800 or higher is the only way

i have a geforce 6800gt overclocked and i play quake 4 with the settings turned to 'high' and it runs pretty smooth. :)

[Zakath]

My friend said he'd sell me his 6800 GT overclocked by BFG for $200. Good deal?

[Ghoul Hunter]

Very good deal. I personally have the 7800 GT. It's amazing.

[asholle]

i'd get the 6800 ultra

[REINER]

What's your budget?

[Zakath]

What's your budget?
No more then 200, that's for sure.

[REINER]

Then assuming your friend didn't **** his card up, I'd say that is your best bet.

[Zakath]

Then assuming your friend didn't **** his card up, I'd say that is your best bet.
Nah, he just wants to upgrade to the 7800 or something.

[bassplayer18]

My friend said he'd sell me his 6800 GT overclocked by BFG for $200. Good deal?
buy it man! i have the exact video card and im very pleased with it. games like CSS, quake 4, far cry, HL2, FEAR run very smooth on it.

[Der Meister]

it should run fine, are sure it is 100% update with drivers. Q4 ****s up if you're missing even 1