# Yet another Video Card Thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 14, 2004, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864 "2004-12-14T22:03:42Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2004, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/1 "2004-12-14T22:03:42Z")
I want to get a new video card but it seems that things have changed a great deal since I bought my nVidia 5800. For instance, my AGP slot is only an antiquated 4x - will an 8x AGP card still work in the slot?
And what is this PCI express? Is that a new type of PCI slot, or a card that works better with a regular PCI slot?
I want to get a decent now generation card (9X compatible) and I am willing to spend upto about $350. Basically, I want HL:2 to look smokin’. Any suggestions? FTR, I will probably build a new machine sometime in the spring or summer with an upper to date motherboard.
---
### Author:  [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/2 "2004-12-14T22:21:25Z")
Howdy adam!
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> my AGP slot is only an antiquated 4x - will an 8x AGP card still work in the slot?
Yes but you won’t get the full 8Xness out of the card. IME, not that much of a difference.
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> Is that a new type of PCI slot
Correct. You need a mobo with a PCI-ex slot
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> I am willing to spend upto about $350. Basically, I want HL:2 to look smokin’. Any suggestions
Personally I have an [ATI Radeon 9800 Pro](http://www.newegg.com/app/searchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&Range=1&DEPA=0&bop=and&description=radeon+9800pro&Order=price). Newegg has them for as low as $240. (Damn I paid a lot more than that for mine :mad: )
Newegg also has the [Radeon x800 _SE_ for $310](http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-431&depa=0).
Personally I’ve always had really good experiences with ATI cards, but nVidia is certainly good too. Half-Life 2 is _optomized_ for ATI Radeons, for whatever that’s worth (hint: not all that much).
---
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2004, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/3 "2004-12-14T22:28:12Z")
What is the fundamental difference between a Radeon card and an ‘All in Wonder’ card?
---
### Author:  [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/4 "2004-12-14T23:18:23Z")
The All-in-Wonder cards have more ports/connections on the back – TV in as well as TV out. Moreover, they have TV capture capability which allows you to tune your TV through your computer among other things. Clearly, you’re paying for these added “media” features.
Check out [This review](http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2278&p=2) from Anandtech which gives you side by side comparisons of many graphics cards **specifically in Half-Life 2**. OK so my Radeon 9800 Pro isn’t at the top of the list, but at least it’s on the list. [Check out the graph here](http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2278&p=7).
Also keep in mind that the gfx cards at the top of that comparison are in the $400-500 range. :eek:
---
### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/5 "2004-12-15T16:07:02Z")
If your computer is old enough to have an AGP slot that maxes out at 4x, your video card might not be your only bottleneck.
Having said that, looking strictly at AGP video cards, and using NewEgg as a source:
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, 256MB - $200.00
- great card, DX9 compatible, great value
XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 128-bit - $240.50
- current generation, generally considered to be price/performance leader
- expect price drops as availability of AGP 6600GTs increase (PCIe version is only $200)
XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-Bit - $270
- really a toss-up with above card as long as GT sits around $240. GT gives better price/performance at $200, though.
ASUS nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-Bit - $339.50
- performance leader in your price range
Brand, generally speaking, is not as important, but you want to stay with a “known” name.
---
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/6 "2004-12-15T16:20:21Z")
Well, I have made a choice. I am going with the Radeon 9800 pro. At this point it is mid range of what I was willing to spend.
The last 3 computers I built were all good machines but always a step below the top tier. This spring, when I’ll have the time, I am going to build a top o’ the line gaming machine. I imagine that in 3 months time the price on the 9800xt will have dropped into the realm of the realistic.
---
### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/7 "2004-12-15T16:50:42Z")
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> This spring, when I’ll have the time, I am going to build a top o’ the line gaming machine. I imagine that in 3 months time the price on the 9800xt will have dropped into the realm of the realistic.
Top teir currently is nVidia 6800 ultra and ATI x800xt (actually, I think they recently announced an x850 series).
Super top-tier, no cost matters, is nVidia 6800GT or ultra SLI - split your video load between two cards!
When the motherboards coming available, I’m getting an socket 939 SLI capable set-up. I will probably go with the 6600GT - outside chance I’ll ante up for the 6800GT. Start with only one vidcard, maybe add a second in a year.
---
### Author:  [@velveeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velveeta)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/8 "2004-12-15T17:46:21Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#):
>
> When the motherboards coming available, I’m getting an socket 939 SLI capable set-up. I will probably go with the 6600GT - outside chance I’ll ante up for the 6800GT. Start with only one vidcard, maybe add a second in a year.
The future is [here](http://www.xpcgear.com/a8nslideluxe.html). I ordered one a couple days ago and since then the price has jumped $60. I can’t wait to get my hands on this mobo.
Here’s a [test](http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=Njk2LDM=) with 2 6600GTs in SLI configuration against a single 6800GT 256, and then 2 6800GTs in SLI config.
> [@](#):
>
> When we upgraded the GeForce 6600GT single to a SLI configuration we were able to go from 1280x1024 to an incredible 1600x1200 2XAA/8XAF, clearly beating a single GeForce 6800GT! What is probably even more incredible as you will see below, is that a 6600 GT SLI configuration also bested ATI’s flagship X800XT-PE!
And, yes, ATI announced the [x850](http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx850/index.html). It seems to give only a minor performance increase over the x800, but it should drop the price of the 800s down a bit.
---
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/9 "2004-12-15T17:51:33Z")
In my previous post I did in fact mean the x800xt and not a non existant 9800xt. This is probably the most use my ‘x’ key has ever had.
---
### Author:  [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/10 "2004-12-15T17:54:00Z")
> [@](#):
>
> What is probably even more incredible as you will see below, is that a 6600 GT SLI configuration also bested ATI’s flagship X800XT-PE!
I’m not sure what they are crowing about here. Two entire video cards working together gave better performance than a single video card that’s slightly faster than the individual cards alone? So what?
SLI was all the rage back in the voodoo days, and it’s cool to see it coming back, but it’s probably not the best overall solution from a tech standpoint. If you can get great performance at an even cost from two lower end graphics cards, why not simply build them into a single paired device and cut down on silicon, plastic, and packaging?
---
### Author:  [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/11 "2004-12-15T17:55:06Z")
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> In my previous post I did in fact mean the x800xt and not a non existant 9800xt.
So the 9800XT I have in my computer doesn’t exist? It’s pretty damn noisy for something that doesn’t exist.
---
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/12 "2004-12-15T18:03:55Z")
> [@Apos](#):
>
> So the 9800XT I have in my computer doesn’t exist? It’s pretty damn noisy for something that doesn’t exist.
That is it. I give up on trying to make sense out of the naming convention that video card manufactures use.
---
### Author:  [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/13 "2004-12-15T18:24:52Z")
Here’s how I pick video cards now.
1. price around $250 (ATI or nVidia)
2. quietest at that price (preferably fanless)
3. read the reviews and forums ([H]ard|OCP)
and finally…
Coolest looking! (major plus if it has LEDs)
---
### Author:  [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/14 "2004-12-15T18:59:21Z")
For the record, my pertintent specs are:
Athlon 64 3200+
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (128)
1 GB DDR400
and I can confirm that Half-Life 2 "looks smokin’ " !
---
### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/15 "2004-12-15T20:16:17Z")
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> That is it. I give up on trying to make sense out of the naming convention that video card manufactures use.
The wisest statement I have read on this board in months! 😃
---
### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/16 "2004-12-15T20:42:02Z")
> [@velveeta](#):
>
> The future is [here](http://www.xpcgear.com/a8nslideluxe.html). I ordered one a couple days ago and since then the price has jumped $60. I can’t wait to get my hands on this mobo.
$400 for a motherboard?! :eek:
Even $340 is more than I’m willing to pay. I plan to have both mobo and vidcard for $400, with an option to add another $200 card.
Until such time, I will not install Half-Life 2. It’s all AMD’s fault for not getting PCIe specs into their motherboard designs sooner.
---
### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/17 "2004-12-15T21:02:59Z")
Okay, what is the difference between PICe and AGP 8x?
---
### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/18 "2004-12-15T21:44:45Z")
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> Okay, what is the difference between PICe and AGP 8x?
PCI Express (“PCIe”) is a brand-spanking-new motherboard slot type. It is a “wider highway”; it will allow for faster throughput from the GPU (graphics processing unit) to the motherboard. However, no software has taken advantage of the greater bandwith yet. The top of today’s graphical wondergames, Half-Life 2, Doom 3, etc., see a marginal gain on PCIe-based graphics cards versus their AGP counterparts, at best.
If you didn’t buy an Intel motherboard in the second half of 2004, or if you bought any AMD motherboard, you do not have a PCIe slot. AGP cards will not fit into a PCIe slot, nor vice versa. If you are not planning to update your motherboard, you should be able to get 2-3 good years out of a top of the line AGP graphics card. If you are planning to update (like me), then I would get one with at least one PCIe slot, and if you are a gamer with money to spend, get one that is SLI compliant.
SLI, or Scalable Link Interface, allows you to split the graphics load onto two videocards. SLI compliant motherboards can be equipped with only one videocard, and upgraded at a later time (I’m going to start with one and maybe upgrade). It is only available through a PCIe interface. Unless you’ve updated your Intel-based motherboard in the past month or so, you don’t have it.
---
### Author:  [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/19 "2004-12-16T00:45:05Z")
Excelent (technical) article on PCI express: [http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/hardware/pcie.ars](http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/hardware/pcie.ars)
Brian
---
### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864/20 "2004-12-16T20:54:47Z")
[Gigabyte creates first dual-GPU graphics card](http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20041216_115811.html)
I guess I’m eyeing mid-January for my new PC.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-video-card-thread/279864.md?page=2)