[simpits-tech] Video cards

[Matt Bailey]

If all you care about is speed, get the latest ATI (ok that's going to be 
over $150, but still.........) If you need to keep it under $150 (mid-range 
card), I'm not sure which you'd be better off with. Nvidia has a better track 
record as far as performance and driver stability, but the latest benchmarks 
on the hot cards lean considerably towards the ATI 9800 and company, and I've 
heard ATI is finally getting their driver situation squared away. I'm 
planning on getting a video card soon myself to match my own new 
fire-breathing behemoth (still using my old GeForce 2 MX400) and personally I 
plan on sticking with nvidia based on their solid track record and excellent 
Linux support. I can live with a few less FPS for that. As to image quality, 
not sure. I seem to recall one brand was generally a bit more favored in that 
department but I forget which.........I suggest you do some research on the 
net, paricularly sites like tomshardware.com (they have a nice video card 
benchmark chart, as well as reviews and comparisons of various cards).

That GF4 MX is, if I'm not mistaken, just a souped up card based on the old 
GF2 architecture. Upgrading is highly recommended. :) Pay attention to things 
like clock speeds, fill rates, special features like pixel shaders etc, and 
DirectX 9 support (I wouldn't buy a non-DX9 card these days, a lot of new 
fancy graphical effects are being achieved through DX9.......I've already run 
across a couple games, LOMAC demo and FS2004, that evidently need a DX9 card 
for certain things.....or at least some modern feature my card doesn't 
support).

	-Matt Bailey

On Saturday 29 November 2003 04:37 pm, you wrote:
> Now that I have a sickeningly fast processor, a gig of RAM, and more hard
> drive real estate than I can ever hope to fill, I need a faster video card.
> I had planned on a GeForce 4 FX5200, but what else is out there? Anything
> better for under $150? The GeForce 4 MX on the board isn't bad at all, but
> it shares system RAM and doesn't have a TV-out so I can watch DVDs on the
> TV sitting on my desk.
>
> Hmm... I have a spare fridge and microwave I could put in here. With a
> funnel and water hose I'd never have to leave my office ;)