Graphics Card Time

[DeZmond]

Oh, and a benefit with the 6800LE (assuming you can find it of course) is that, if you're a nutty risk-taker like me, you can unlock parts of the hardware core to gain extra performance. I say risk taker because it doesn't work for every card - see my example below. (also for reference see this article in THN archive)

Normally a 6800LE has 8 pixel pipelines, however the core still has the hardware 16. So, using RivaTuner you can reactivate them - however one of the "quads" on mine was faulty so as a result I have 12 pixel pipelines - still faster than when I bought it and it's pretty competent before you even touch the unlocking/overclocking options.

Ah, the fun of endlessly debating graphics cards. It never ends...

 

[Exo-Warrior]

I'm starting to think there might be a better graphics card in my other PC at this rate...

And that's about a decade old.

The main pointer is that it can manage up to 1600x1200, whereas my current PC only does 1280x1024.

This is just wild speculation and highly unlikely, but hey...

EDIT: Guess not. It's an nVidia GeForce2

 

[Exo-Warrior]

Ok, so the OcUK GeForce 6600 GT 256MB DDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (AGP) - Retail (GX-036-OK) is looking like a good bet, then once I've done that, I can grab a 512mb stick of RAM.

My current RAM doesn't seem to be DDR400 (it's only 166mhz, 200mhz seems to be the DDR400 speed) so upgrading stuff will be harder.

 

[Pestcontrol]

Thanks for all the help. The 6800LE sounds like a good bet, in that case. Much better response than I got over at the BCG forums.

Good to hear!

 

[Exo-Warrior]

Good to hear!

Just compare the responses and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Exo-Warrior]

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Category=15&SubCat=&Name=&Page=1&SortBy=2

List of choices. My max is about £130. Let the countdown commence!

So far I've got one vote for the Sapphire Radeon X1600PRO 256MB.

 

[Tetsuo_Shima]

And whatever you do, DO NOT BUY THESE CARDS:
-Nvidia 6200
-ATi X300/ X600

Har har, Dez! Munn is trying to run Oblivion on an X600. He says its 'alrite' but its 'not as good as [my] 360'. Although, hes got the processing speed to make up for it.

Oh, and you do remember who Munn is, dont you?

Oh and mate, its probably better to go for a GeForce 6600 than an X1600. (I find) Radeons tend not to be so great at gaming.

 

[thatbloke]

the radeon 9800 was the best of its time... but since that card, nVidia have been on top.

 

[DeZmond]

Yup, I remember Munn. How could I forget? (Actually I see him in the street from time to time, he goes to Glasgow uni also)

And the x1600 is a terrible card when you consider the price of the 6-00 series and even the x700. Both of which are more powerful at a fraction of the cost. Go for one of those.

 

[Exo-Warrior]

I could push the envelope up by about 1p and get the 6800LE there or I could shoot for the slightly cheaper 6600GT. The x700 on the other hand is only £70... decisions! >_<

 

[DeZmond]

Yeah that is tough - the 6800LE and 6600GT are pretty even out-of-the-box - it's the unlocking capability that you're buying it for.

I wouldn't bother with the x700 - no PS3.0, which will affect future games (current games if you include Oblivion).

 

[Exo-Warrior]

Ordered a 6600GT from OcUK.

I was getting a 6800GS from Gladiator, but it looks like they're closing down their AGP lines, as I got an email saying it was out of stock and probably wouldn't be in stock again.