I'm gonna do it....Buy new Video...So how about a little advice?

Chief of the Boat · 03-21-07, 06:57 PM

Yup... I need advice. EXPERIENCED, cool, technically qualified...ADVICE.

After a fair amount of the afternoon with SH4, I have, indeed, found a graphics setting that is 'for me' acceptable. But...

This may well be the last computer I ever own, so I think I am going to use SH4 as an excuse to buy the BEST video upgrade board available... just this once.

According to the book the ones that will work are : ATI Radeon 9600 / 9700 / 9800... and some "X" models. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 / 6600 / 6800 / 7800.

Since my previous computering was wrapped around 3dfx Voodoo 5 video, I am WAY out of my league here, so... with all you Super-Duper-Up-To-Date Nerds... what should I buy?

I really want info, not a stream of testimonies based on 'you own it, therefore you are stuck with it, therefore it must be the best' ...

You're doing a Mature Feller a favor...be kind.

COB

NefariousKoel · 03-21-07, 07:01 PM

The info we need is: What kind of video card slot does your system use?

AGP2x
AGP4x/x8
PCI-Express
None of the Above

?

GT182 · 03-21-07, 07:04 PM

Chief, what are your system specs so we all can give a hand?

I'm using a XFX GF 6800XTreme 256mb DDR3 AGP 8x, 256 bit card with DX9 Shader 3.0 and Open GL 1.5. I found it at ewiz.com for a very reasonable price and SHIII runs great. I imagine it should work well for SH4, but I don't have it yet to tell if it's true or not.

I also use an Intel P4 3.2E CPU and 2gigs of DDR400 RAM, which helps too.

Edit:
Remember too, if you go with duo core or Quad, SLI, PCI express and all that, the cost will be up there. I'm waiting a year for prices to drop before I take that big step. My system is only 19 months old and will have to do me for at least another year.

NefariousKoel · 03-21-07, 07:10 PM

I can recommend an XFX 7900GS as XFX has different clock speeds for it on different models. I got the highest one - only drawback is an occasionally louder vid card fan. It's one of the best bangs for the buck I've seen recently. If you have PCI-E, anyway.

Chief of the Boat · 03-21-07, 07:17 PM

Yeahhh... I shudda given more... sorry. This here is a Gen-You-Wine, off the shelf H/P machine... 3.4 Gc processor, 2 GB RAM, and the trusty ATI Radeon X1300... which I recall seeing is "PCI Express". Audio, etc... but I don't see that being related to video. I'll cross my fingers on power supply... I don't really see these 'war' games doing the video work...drawing instaneous power... like the fantasy zoom/boom ones...

COB

mookiemookie · 03-21-07, 07:27 PM

It's hard to go wrong by trusting Tom's Hardware. They're a great site, and here's a good article that I'm using to determine my next video card:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/index.html

This page, specifically, will give you an idea of the video card hierarchy and what nvidia product is equivalent to what radeon product and vice versa: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/page7.html

StandingCow · 03-21-07, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

It's hard to go wrong by trusting Tom's Hardware. They're a great site, and here's a good article that I'm using to determine my next video card:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/index.html

This page, specifically, will give you an idea of the video card hierarchy and what nvidia product is equivalent to what radeon product and vice versa: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/page7.html

Beat me to it

Tomshardware.com is the best site for this sort of research.

So far my 7950 GTKO from evga has done well with this game, full graphics with post processing and it runs smooth, and I haven't had any of these graphical issues I keep hearing about.

Hans Schultz · 03-21-07, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief of the Boat

Yeahhh... I shudda given more... sorry. This here is a Gen-You-Wine, off the shelf H/P machine... 3.4 Gc processor, 2 GB RAM, and the trusty ATI Radeon X1300... which I recall seeing is "PCI Express". Audio, etc... but I don't see that being related to video. I'll cross my fingers on power supply... I don't really see these 'war' games doing the video work...drawing instaneous power... like the fantasy zoom/boom ones...

COB

you really need to find out if it is PCI-E or AGP. I have a GeForce 6800GT and its a decent card, it seems to run stuff very well, but is starting to show its age.
I perfer Nvidia Cards right now and you would be very safe with anything GeForce 6800 or higher. I find toms hardware very biased and you need to look around. once you find out about the PCI-E or AGP and throw out a budget i will be better able to help!

Chief of the Boat · 03-21-07, 07:56 PM

Oh.. I know it's not AGP.. No AGP slot in this grey box. It is just that I don't know how many kinds of 'PCI' video there may be...in this generation. According to the ATI page, the X1300 *is* PCI Express.

Is there a tangible reason for your NVIDIA preference?

I have looked through some of the specs for upper end video, and the rotten truth is that I get lost in the terms and values for them. That's why I am looking for somebody that USES one or another and can say 'why' they prefer...

Now... if this machine did have AGP, I still own a couple V5's... but for all they did on a '98SE machine with Falcon 4 and F/A-18, I bet they stink for SH4 !!

COB

stabiz · 03-21-07, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NefariousKoel

I can recommend an XFX 7900GS as XFX has different clock speeds for it on different models. I got the highest one - only drawback is an occasionally louder vid card fan. It's one of the best bangs for the buck I've seen recently. If you have PCI-E, anyway.

Very good card, often referred to as "best bang for buck".

NefariousKoel · 03-21-07, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stabiz

Quote:

Originally Posted by NefariousKoel

I can recommend an XFX 7900GS as XFX has different clock speeds for it on different models. I got the highest one - only drawback is an occasionally louder vid card fan. It's one of the best bangs for the buck I've seen recently. If you have PCI-E, anyway.

Very good card, often referred to as "best bang for buck".

Yep, it's in the top 3 levels at Tom's it seems. Plus, it'll save you a few $$.

Chief, if you have a premade HP, then let me know the exact model number. We can look up the specs and make sure you have PCI-Ex16 which it definitely sounds like you do. Also, are you using WinVista? You'll likely need to add more RAM if that's the case.

Boris · 03-21-07, 08:41 PM

The good thing about having a PCI-E slot is that you will be able to go all the way in terms of performance, as long as you want to spend the cash.

03-21-07, 06:57 PM	#1
Chief of the Boat Electrician's Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: On the hill South of Port Angeles, Washington Posts: 136 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm gonna do it....Buy new Video...So how about a little advice? Yup... I need advice. EXPERIENCED, cool, technically qualified...ADVICE. After a fair amount of the afternoon with SH4, I have, indeed, found a graphics setting that is 'for me' acceptable. But... This may well be the last computer I ever own, so I think I am going to use SH4 as an excuse to buy the BEST video upgrade board available... just this once. According to the book the ones that will work are : ATI Radeon 9600 / 9700 / 9800... and some "X" models. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 / 6600 / 6800 / 7800. Since my previous computering was wrapped around 3dfx Voodoo 5 video, I am WAY out of my league here, so... with all you Super-Duper-Up-To-Date Nerds... what should I buy? I really want info, not a stream of testimonies based on 'you own it, therefore you are stuck with it, therefore it must be the best' ... You're doing a Mature Feller a favor...be kind. COB __________________ In memory of WAHOO

03-21-07, 07:01 PM	#2
NefariousKoel Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No-good Missouri scum Posts: 1,223 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	The info we need is: What kind of video card slot does your system use? AGP2x AGP4x/x8 PCI-Express None of the Above ? __________________ "When Gary told me he had found Jesus, I thought, Yahoo! We're rich! But it turned out to be something different." - Jack Handey

03-21-07, 07:04 PM	#3
GT182 Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Castle of Delaware Posts: 3,231 Downloads: 658 Uploads: 0	Chief, what are your system specs so we all can give a hand? I'm using a XFX GF 6800XTreme 256mb DDR3 AGP 8x, 256 bit card with DX9 Shader 3.0 and Open GL 1.5. I found it at ewiz.com for a very reasonable price and SHIII runs great. I imagine it should work well for SH4, but I don't have it yet to tell if it's true or not. I also use an Intel P4 3.2E CPU and 2gigs of DDR400 RAM, which helps too. Edit: Remember too, if you go with duo core or Quad, SLI, PCI express and all that, the cost will be up there. I'm waiting a year for prices to drop before I take that big step. My system is only 19 months old and will have to do me for at least another year. __________________ Gary No Borders, No Language, No Culture =s No Country I'm a Deplorable, and proud of it.

03-21-07, 07:10 PM	#4
NefariousKoel Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No-good Missouri scum Posts: 1,223 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I can recommend an XFX 7900GS as XFX has different clock speeds for it on different models. I got the highest one - only drawback is an occasionally louder vid card fan. It's one of the best bangs for the buck I've seen recently. If you have PCI-E, anyway. __________________ "When Gary told me he had found Jesus, I thought, Yahoo! We're rich! But it turned out to be something different." - Jack Handey

03-21-07, 07:17 PM	#5
Chief of the Boat Electrician's Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: On the hill South of Port Angeles, Washington Posts: 136 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yeahhh... I shudda given more... sorry. This here is a Gen-You-Wine, off the shelf H/P machine... 3.4 Gc processor, 2 GB RAM, and the trusty ATI Radeon X1300... which I recall seeing is "PCI Express". Audio, etc... but I don't see that being related to video. I'll cross my fingers on power supply... I don't really see these 'war' games doing the video work...drawing instaneous power... like the fantasy zoom/boom ones... COB __________________ In memory of WAHOO

03-21-07, 07:27 PM	#6
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	It's hard to go wrong by trusting Tom's Hardware. They're a great site, and here's a good article that I'm using to determine my next video card: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/index.html This page, specifically, will give you an idea of the video card hierarchy and what nvidia product is equivalent to what radeon product and vice versa: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ney/page7.html __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

03-21-07, 07:56 PM	#9
Chief of the Boat Electrician's Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: On the hill South of Port Angeles, Washington Posts: 136 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Oh.. I know it's not AGP.. No AGP slot in this grey box. It is just that I don't know how many kinds of 'PCI' video there may be...in this generation. According to the ATI page, the X1300 is PCI Express. Is there a tangible reason for your NVIDIA preference? I have looked through some of the specs for upper end video, and the rotten truth is that I get lost in the terms and values for them. That's why I am looking for somebody that USES one or another and can say 'why' they prefer... Now... if this machine did have AGP, I still own a couple V5's... but for all they did on a '98SE machine with Falcon 4 and F/A-18, I bet they stink for SH4 !! COB __________________ In memory of WAHOO

03-21-07, 08:41 PM	#12
Boris Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamburg, Germany Posts: 1,691 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 0	The good thing about having a PCI-E slot is that you will be able to go all the way in terms of performance, as long as you want to spend the cash.