[pc nerds] the best and worst videocards of all time

[Van Cruncheon]

The Best:

The ATi Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB. This card lasted me for like *3* years of GREAT PC gaming. Never had a single issue with it, and it came out right when ATi stopped sucking at driver development. It thoroughly destroyed EVERYTHING nVidia attempted to throw at it until the 6800, and even then, it still held up well. When it came out, it BRUTALIZED the competition.

Honorable mentions: the Creative Labs Annihilator version of the GeForce 2; the nVidia Riva TNT2; the 3dfx Voodoo 3 3000; the nVidia GeForce 6800 line; the nVidia GeForce 4Ti 4400/4600.

The Worst:

The nVidia GeForce FX 5200. Yeah, it was a budget card, but it was still $200 when it launched, and it couldn't even outperform a GeForce 3 for most games, it was so crippled. The whole FX line was a joke (and huge); no surprise they were developed by 3dfx engineers who'd bailed on that defunct company to join nVidia.

Dishonorable mentions: the 3dfx Voodoo 5 5000 (lol); the NEC PowerVR line (hyped to hell by Sega fanboy idiots); the S3 S2000; the ATi X800 line (large, hot and only SM 2.0).

[MrAngryFace]

Haha, i'd almost have to vote the Radeon 8500 cause the driver support was so ass its entire lifespan.

[Van Cruncheon]

oh god, the 8500 was so bad. i forgot about that one. it was trying to compete with the GeForce 3/4 line and failing miserably. the 9800 just came outta NOWHERE.

[Vizzys]

i thought the radeon 9600xt did me well for a good while

[dsn2k]

9700pro deserves some mention, really was the beginning of a period where ATI were King.

[Van Cruncheon]

the 9600 was of the 9800 family; it was to the 9800 what the 9500 was to the 9700.

[max_cool]

I don't think there is too much to debate, other than putting the Geforce4 Ti 4600 (can't remember if it was the 4600 that was an overclocking beast) on the list of best.

[Van Cruncheon]

the 4400 was the beast -- it was a lower clocked 4600, but manufacturing was so good that you could overclock it to 4600 speeds and beyond for dirt cheap. and yeah, it ruled, too. i'll add it.

[demi]

I've got a 9700 Pro. Should suit me fine until I bother to get a new PC... which is never.

[dsn2k]

remember my trusty GF3 ti 200, overclocked it to ti 500 speeds with ease. 

[Smooth Groove]

3 years with one videocard?  You disappoint me, Drinky.  I was under the false impression that you are an obsessive upgrader like myself.  9800 was awesome though.  I think it lasted me for about a year. 
Here is my list

1)voodoo 2 (much faster than anything for a long time and singlehandedly destroyed console graphics of the time)
2)ATI 9800 (its dominance over Nvidia's products of the time were similar to the early days of 3DFX dominance)
3)ATI x1900 (excellent blend of image quality and graphics, I liked it better than NV 7800gtx or 7900gtx)

Honourable mention: 8800GTX (so good so so far, but Vista drivers make me now want to upgrade yet)

Worst cards:

1) Geforce 5 series (completely destroyed by ATI 9700/9800 in terms of basically everything)
2) ATI Radeon 8500  (WTF happened to truform?  Good image quality but performance sucked)
3) Geforce 6800 ultra (lots of next gen features like 3.0 shader but it was too slow by the time those features were supported.  Also, the drivers were pretty lousy.) 

[Van Cruncheon]

I've got a 9700 Pro. Should suit me fine until I bother to get a new PC... which is never.

a pirate -and- a luddite!

[demi]

I'm just so quirky!

[Van Cruncheon]

I was in a sad console gaming phase during much of the 9800 lifespan. Here's my upgrade path, as I recall:

Voodoo 1 (college)-> Voodoo 3 3000 -> TNT2 -> GeForce 2 -> GeForce 4 4400 -> 9800 Pro -> 6800GT -> X850XT PE (lol, still on AGP) -> 7800GTX SLI -> 8800GTX

I really liked my 6800 -- it had noticable framerate improvements over the 9800 and supported SM 3.0. I remember when I swapped it out for the X850XT and was shocked at how glitchy the shader effects in AoE3 were. I almost took the X850XT back -- but I stuipdly didn't, and then it overheated like half the other X850 cards did and I was back with the 6800GT until my next build.

[Smooth Groove]

The 6800 had 3.0 shaders but they were way too slow though for most 3.0 games.  ATI was right about Nvidia coming out too quickly with the 3.0 shaders.  The funny thing is that 6800 was heavily advertised as a 3.0 card but it was mostly a good card because of its 2.0 performance.  My console gaming phase when I ignored PC gaming was during the Geforce3/4 days.  All the focus at that time from traditional PC developers seemed to be on the PS2/Xbox.  I bought a highend geforce 3/4 each time but sold them because they weren't being used much.  I came back to PC gaming when the 9800 launched. 

I tried the 7800GTX Sli like you did but returned the 2nd card within a month.  The extra performance was too low to justify the heat and cost of a 2nd card. 

Here's my upgrade path:

Voodoo1> NVIDIA RIVA something> Voodoo2> Riva TNT2> Geforce 1> Voodoo 5 5500> Geforce 2 GT> Radeon 8500> Geforce 3> Geforce 4 4400> ATI 9800 PRO> Geforce 6800 Ultra> Geforce 7800> ATI 1900xtx> Geforce 8800 GTX

[Madrun Badrun]

lawl nerds!!!

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I feel stupid for not knowing pc stuff 

[close]

[G The Resurrected]

This was my computers upgrade path.

400mhz AMD
512mb ram
Voodoo 5000 (piece of shit) and Geforce 3
Upgraded and donated

1.4ghz
1gb ram
Ti 4600 (blew up in my hotbox) then 9600xt (Best Card)
Parted due to dead CPU and Mobo

Laptop:
1.73ghz
512mb ram
GMA 900 aka shittiest shit ever
sent in to recyling got back new mobo/processor but dead ram and dvd drive, salvagable!!!

Drink someone could you make a building computer thread for me please? I need some ideas, I've only got 1200 bucks or so and I dont know what to get.

[BlueTsunami]

6600GT

Midrange bliss that ran Battlefield 2 on High

I still have this card in my main PC. I'm waiting for AMD/ATI's release of the R600 series.

Speaking of BF2. Charter just resovled their issues with provisioning Modems so I'm now fully Online. Time to hookup the big guy and hittup some BF2.

[Ecrofirt]

I've got an X800XT in my computer, and I've been noticing that my machine has been getting REALLY hot lately.

I cleaned a bunch of dust out of the thing (a whole bunch was in my processor's heatsink somehow.), and it seems like it's running better now.

Anyhow, I guess I'm bringing this up to ask a question:
My computer is 2 years old and I don't really play games on it often, save for emulation. It's got a 3.6GHz P4 and 2GB of RAM to go along with the X800XT. Is it worth it to upgrade to something a little better? I've been thinking about it due to people using SM3.0 stuff in XNA games, which leaves me unable to run stuff appropriately. How much will something like that cost me? What's a better card that's going to run a bit cooler? This thing was going up to like 90°C on Saturday before I cleaned out my case, and Windows was going nuts.

[Smooth Groove]

Ecroflirt, I think there's an AGP card similar to the 7900 GTX.  I'm not sure though. Maybe Drinky knows more.  I haven't kept up with AGP tech since the 6800 ultra. 

[Ecrofirt]

Ecroflirt, I think there's an AGP card similar to the 7900 GTX.  I'm not sure though. Maybe Drinky knows more.  I haven't kept up with AGP tech since the 6800 ultra. 

I only have a PCI-E slot in this machine.

[Smooth Groove]

Ecroflirt, I think there's an AGP card similar to the 7900 GTX.  I'm not sure though. Maybe Drinky knows more.  I haven't kept up with AGP tech since the 6800 ultra. 

I only have a PCI-E slot in this machine.

In that case, you have many options.  I'll wait for the 8800 GTX to drop further in price.  Anything less than 512mb seems to be too little for next gen.  Also, ATI is supposedly coming up with some high performance/low price products. 

[etiolate]

i thought the radeon 9600xt did me well for a good while

Aye, thats what I have. 

[G The Resurrected]

Since i cant make threads.

Whats better

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 2.4ghz 8M shared
1gb DDR 800
NV 7300LE graphics
160 gb sata
$1015
or
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared
2gb DDR 800
ATI 1950xt 256mb
320gb Sata
$1078

[Smooth Groove]

Since i cant make threads.

Whats better

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 2.4ghz 8M shared
1gb DDR 800
NV 7300LE graphics
160 gb sata
$1015
or
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared
2gb DDR 800
ATI 1950xt 256mb
320gb Sata
$1078

2nd system is far more balanced and better for most tasks.  1st system is like the PS3, great processor but crippled everywhere else. 

[G The Resurrected]

Yeah but i can expand it later on though. And it would be more "future proof" than the dual core right? cause i'm trying to hold out from buying something till end of july so i can get something great then. Hoping those quad core prices fall.

[Scurvy Stan]

Since i cant make threads.

Whats better

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 2.4ghz 8M shared
1gb DDR 800
NV 7300LE graphics
160 gb sata
$1015
or
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared
2gb DDR 800
ATI 1950xt 256mb
320gb Sata
$1078

I'd get that second one by a country mile.

[etiolate]

I hold off on upgrading my 9600xt, because I don't know if it's worth it without a pci-e slot. 

[G The Resurrected]

I hold off on upgrading my 9600xt, because I don't know if it's worth it without a pci-e slot. 

Its not worth it, just hold out till you upgrade to PCI-E. I assume you dont have a multi core processor? If not just wait till you get into that market to get a new graphics card.

[MrAngryFace]

lawl upgrade paths

[Mupepe]

My GeForce FX 5600 lasted me 3 years you asswipes.  And I only payed 50 for it on sale at a Best Buy.  I remember the first time I put Splinter Cell on that bad boy 

[Smooth Groove]

lawl upgrade paths

My GeForce FX 5600 lasted me 3 years you asswipes.  And I only payed 50 for it on sale at a Best Buy.  I remember the first time I put Splinter Cell on that bad boy 

Lol at you wannabe PC gamers.  True PC gamers know it's all about obsessive upgrading and spending lots of time tweaking for that extra 3 frames/sec. 

[MrAngryFace]

I'd rather spend money on things I need. ;p

[Mupepe]

maf knows where it's at.

why do i care if my rig can run the original UT at 300 fps?  YOU GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF PANTY WHACKERS

[MrAngryFace]

Yeah but you hate coffee so its not like we're in a club either!

[Smooth Groove]

I'd rather spend money on things I need. ;p

Do you really need a top of the line wireless keyboard?

maf knows where it's at.

why do i care if my rig can run the original UT at 300 fps?  YOU GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF PANTY WHACKERS

 

Hardcore PC gamers don't build expensive PCs to run games at 300 fps with the ugly ass settings that you use with a Geforce FX.  They use them to run their games with the highest settings, maximum anti-aliasing, maximum anisotropic filtering, etc, with as high a framerate as possible.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Why do I fee like such a nerd for the above statement? 

[close]

[Mupepe]

because that really is nerdy.

btw, I WAS ABLE TO RUN MOST GAMES AT MEDIUM SETTINGS YOU ASS.

[MrAngryFace]

Smooth: Bluetooth is a practical solution to wireless troubles in my living room.

[Mupepe]

Smooth: Bluetooth is a practical solution to wireless troubles in my living room.

AS IS SPENDING 800 DOLLARS ON A VIDEO CARD FOR 3 MORE FPS IN COD2!

[MrAngryFace]

yeah my keyboard was like 100 bucks, which is probably all ive spent on my PC in a year lol wtf.

[Mupepe]

yeah my keyboard was like 100 bucks, which is probably all ive spent on my PC in a year lol wtf.

my old pc is still using the video card i got for christmas  <3

[Smooth Groove]

Smooth: Bluetooth is a practical solution to wireless troubles in my living room.

Is it better than USB wireless devices like my G7 mouse? I get some signal problems when the router is too close which is annoying for a supposed top of the line wireless gaming mouse.  Why does the PS3 controller have more dropout problems than the 360 if bluetooth is better for wireless? 

because that really is nerdy.

btw, I WAS ABLE TO RUN MOST GAMES AT MEDIUM SETTINGS YOU ASS.

Real men play with maximum settings.  I feel like I'm not getting the most out of a game if it's not at maximum settings. 

[Smooth Groove]

Smooth: Bluetooth is a practical solution to wireless troubles in my living room.

AS IS SPENDING 800 DOLLARS ON A VIDEO CARD FOR 3 MORE FPS IN COD2!

I do it to get more points in 3dmark.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my 3dmark scores double. 

[Mupepe]

smooth groove, since ur such a nerd on this stuff and i don't really pay attention to any of it... i'm asking a possibly distinguished mentally-challenged question..

what's better?  a..

ATi Radeon X550 PCI Express 256 MB

or

Nvidia 7300 LE 256 MB

?

[Smooth Groove]

smooth groove, since ur such a nerd on this stuff and i don't really pay attention to any of it... i'm asking a possibly distinguished mentally-challenged question..

what's better?  a..

ATi Radeon X550 PCI Express 256 MB

or

Nvidia 7300 LE 256 MB

?

Look at my upgrade path and see if I know anything about low to mid end videocards.  lol

You can try sites like firingsquad.com, anandtech.com, or tomshardware.com for benchmarks.  It's where I usually go. 

[Mupepe]

YOU JUST DON'T KNOW ANYTHING DO YOU!?

MAF!  DO YOU KNOW?!

[MrAngryFace]

ATI driver support with Vista has been stellar, Nvidia is catching up but even so....

SO in short I dont know cause I dont honestly give that much of a fuck about videocards aside from the cosmetic improvements I may get.

[Mupepe]

the 7300 LE is better.  i'm going to hump someone now

[G The Resurrected]

the 7300 LE is better.  i'm going to hump someone now

What are you building. I wouldnt even want that thing in my computer.

[Cyanista]

[MrAngryFace]

haha

[Mupepe]

the 7300 LE is better.  i'm going to hump someone now

What are you building. I wouldnt even want that thing in my computer.

i'm not building anything.  julia's computer has a 7300 LE already in it, i didn't know if the other one from my old computer was better or not.

[G The Resurrected]

Ah ok, just wondered.

[Van Cruncheon]

G, get the second rig. the quad-core has a shite videocard and less RAM. the real-world gaming performance between the dual-core and the quad-core is negligible; in fact, it might favor the dual-core right now.

[G The Resurrected]

So be it, then I will wait till july new ATI cards, cheaper dual cores and cheaper ram (praying)

[Fragamemnon]

Best:

nVidia Riva TNT2
ATi 9800 Pro 256mb (godly card)
nVidia Geforce 4 ti4200/4400 ( I was able to get a ti4200 128mb to ti4600 clock speeds without much problem with some spare heatsinks and thermal grease)
nVidia Geforce 6600GT - fantastic midrange card

Worst:

3dfx Voodoo 5, all models
nVidia FX5xxxx series, all models
3dfx Voodoo Banshee
Matrox Parhelia

[bluemax]

The 6600 GT is still an awesome mid range card. I have one in my home machine (poor college kid and I'm holding out for the DX10 cards) and my work machine. Just a solid little piece of tech.

[Error Macro]

Yo, G...  If you get a new computer, just don't treat it like your poor chair, okay?  I saw those photos.  Holy crap!

[G The Resurrected]

Yo, G...  If you get a new computer, just don't treat it like your poor chair, okay?  I saw those photos.  Holy crap!

Okay  you know its leather right? Oil (from the body) plus leather = stain

[Error Macro]

Yo, G...  If you get a new computer, just don't treat it like your poor chair, okay?  I saw those photos.  Holy crap!

Okay  you know its leather right? Oil (from the body) plus leather = stain

Go to an auto parts store (actually I think you can get it at Wal-Mart also) and get some of this:



It works great.