I could use some help picking a new graphics card

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Dave A

Dave A

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Simply put, I know very little about how to say what card is better than another. Thhe main thing is price, I see a card that's £60, I assume an £80 card is better. I know that isn't always the case, but it's about the only thing I have to go on.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions from here
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/productlister.aspx?n=2,12
My price limit is ideally under £100, that doesn't mean I want to spend £100, just that that's my limit for what I will spend.
I was thinking of something along the lines of the ATi Radeon X1950 PRO 512MB PCI-E 2 x DVI, TV Out Oem
ATi Radeon X1950 PRO 512MB PCI-E 2 x DVI, TV Out Oem
or the Sapphire Radeon X1950PRO 512MB DDR3, PCI-E, Dual DVI
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16138)Sapphire-Radeon-X1950PRO-512MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I'd like to order one today if I see one that I know is good.
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16138)Sapphire-Radeon-X1950PRO-512MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx
 
The X1950 Pro seems pretty good, but if you want something a little more future proof look into the 8600 GT, since it supports DirectX 10.

8600gt:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(19415)XFX-GeForce-8600-GT-256MB-DDR3-PCIE-DVI--540Mhz.aspx

This one's factory overclocked
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(19417)XFX-GeForce-8600-GT-256MB-DDR3-PCIE-DVI-.aspx

There's also a cheaper Sparkle one, but I'm unsure about the company.

X1950 Pro:

Doesn't have dual DVI, but is cheaper
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17242)ATi-Radeon-X1950-PRO-256MB-PCIE.aspx

Sapphire but with 256MB, probably won't need 512
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(15335)Sapphire-Radeon-X1950PRO-256MB-DDR3-PCIE.aspx
 
The 8600GT isn't going to be quite as much of a gaming card as the X1950, as I've heard it comes close to performing like a 7900GT in DX9 games. Supposedly the X1950 is just a little bit ahead of the 7900GT, so you are taking a couple small steps back with the 8600GT.

The 8600GTS is just about $200 (a little under 100GBP) on Newegg, whether or not you can find similar prices over there. Personally I'd go with either of the 8600s just to future proof it. You probably won't be able to tell much difference between them, and you'll get to experience DX10 if you have Vista.
 
Thanks for the help so far guys :cheers:. I don't have, or plan on getting Vista. Will DX10 be available for XP or is it a Vista only thing?

I ask because if it's Vista only then I might as well go for the better gaming card that doesn't support DX10 because I won't be getting Vista any time soon. If it'll be coming out for XP then I might as well get a card that supports it.
 
I think it will stay Vista exclusive. On wikipedia, it says that there is a rumor that they will release a watered-down version for XP, but I wouldn't bet on it.
 
Some Vista-only games have been hacked to run on XP.

I heard Shadowrun was anyway.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.
 
DX10 will not and can not run in XP because Vista uses a brand new driver model. Those games that have been hacked have so far had problems with certain things, and I think its one of those things where it works for some and won't for others.
 
Ebiggs
DX10 will not and can not run in XP because Vista uses a brand new driver model. Those games that have been hacked have so far had problems with certain things, and I think its one of those things where it works for some and won't for others.
Click to expand...

I have said it before, and will happily repeat myself, there is NO reason, WHATSOEVER, None, Zero, Zilch, that MS couldn't make DX10 for XP (Or even 2K for that matter).. DX is no more that a programming layer on top of the whatever drivers feels the need to use DX. All MS need to do, basically, is create the interface between the driver model (for Vista drivers, which they have, or XP, for which they refuse)...

DX10 is just another way of shoveling Vista down the throat of people who are completely content with XP because it works fine as is...
 
Thanks again for the help, I've decided to pop to my local shop on Saturday for the new card..

EDIT, quick question, how do I check if my motherboard is AGP 3.0 or AGP 2.0?
 
Dave A
Thanks again for the help, I've decided to pop to my local shop on Saturday for the new card..

EDIT, quick question, how do I check if my motherboard is AGP 3.0 or AGP 2.0?
Click to expand...

Either in your manual or on the manufacturers homepage 👍

There's no physical difference between 2.0 and 3.0.
 

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