New Video/GFX Card Help Needed

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Feuerhund
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New Video/GFX Card Help Needed

Post by Feuerhund » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:42 pm

Hey I am looking to get a Really good GFX or Video card and I just want to know if Video and GFX cards are the same?

I am Looking for the best I can buy in a £200 budget. Any help apreciated.

Thanks, Gordon 'Feuerhund' Rough
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Lawndart
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Post by Lawndart » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:12 am

Read this (7-page) monthly article: Best Graphics Cards For The Money: Jan. '09

Video card = graphics card, and; GFX = graphics :wink:
Feuerhund
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:47 pm
Location: London, England
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Thanks

Post by Feuerhund » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:35 am

Thanks Lawndart I've managed to narrow it down to about 6:

PCIe Interface: $90 To $140
Best PCIe Card For $95 : Tie
Good 1600x1200 performance in most games; 1920x1200 in most titles with some lowered detail

Radeon HD 3870 Codename: RV670
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 320
Texture Units: 16
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 775
Memory Speed MHz: 1,125 (2,250 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10.1/SM 4.0

At $95, the Radeon HD 3870 is an easy recommendation, positioned between the GeForce 8800 GT and the new Radeon HD 4670. It is still a force to be reckoned with at 1600x1200 and even at 1920x1200.

GeForce 9600 GT Codename: G92
Process: 65 nm
Universal Shaders: 64
Texture Units: 32
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 650
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1,800 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10/SM 4.0

The 9600 GT is a good match for the Radeon 3870 as both are excellent choices at the $95 price point.

Best PCIe Card For $115 : Tie
Good 1600x1200 performance in most games; 1920x1200 in most titles with some lowered detail

Radeon HD 4830 Codename: RV770LE
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 640
Texture Units: 32
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 575
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1,800 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10.1/SM 4.0

The new Radeon HD 4830 finally gives AMD something to compete against the legendary GeForce 8800 GT (as well as its identical sibling, the 9800 GT). Just as the 8800 GT is a crippled 8800 GTS, the Radeon HD 4830 is a crippled HD 4850. Both cards are excellent, while one winning over the other depends on the game or the image-quality settings.


GeForce 9800 GT (aka 8800 GT 512 MB)
Codename: G92
Process: 65 nm
Universal Shaders: 112
Texture Units: 56
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 600
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1,800 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10/SM 4.0

While the Radeon HD 4830 offers the 8800/9800 GT its first competition in its price class, the card remains a strong contender and is still a viable option. However, it has been reported that some 9800 GTs have been found in the wild with 3-way SLI support.

PCIe Interface: $150 To $240
Best PCIe Card For $150 :

Good 1920x1200 performance in most games, some with lowered detail


Radeon HD 4850 512 MB
Codename: RV770
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 800
Texture Units: 40
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 625
Memory Speed MHz: 993 (1,986 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model: DX 10.1/SM 4.0


The Radeon HD 4850 is the new people’s champion, instantly bringing yesterday’s $300 performance level down to the mainstream $160 price point. This card has a lot of potential when used on its own, and becomes a devastating force when paired with a second 4850 in a CrossFire configuration.


Best PCIe Card For $170 :

Good 1920x1200 performance in most games, some with lowered detail


Radeon HD 4850 1 GB
Codename: RV770
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 800
Texture Units: 40
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 625
Memory Speed MHz: 993 (1,986 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10.1/SM 4.0


For a few dollars over the base-model Radeon 4850, a 1 GB version is available. While raw performance is not all that different, the extra video RAM is helpful in some situations and with some game titles.


Best PCIe Card For $210 : Tie

Good 1920x1200 performance


Radeon HD 4870 512 MB Codename: RV770
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 800
Texture Units: 40
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 750
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (3,600 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10.1/SM 4.0


The Radeon HD 4870 offers the same architecture that the HD 4850 series does, except it is paired with its secret weapon: brand-new GDDR5 memory. This technology provides about twice as much throughput as the GDDR3 does, so its 900 MHz clock speed is comparable to a 3,600 MHz effective memory speed. This edge allows the 4870 to up the ante and offer a very compelling level of performance for the price. It even competes with the more expensive GTX 280 in some titles.


GeForce GTX 260 Codename: GT200
Process: 65 nm
Universal Shaders: 192
Texture Units: 64
ROPs: 28
Memory Bus: 448-bit
Core Speed MHz: 576
Memory Speed MHz: 999 (1,998 effective)
DirectX/Shader Model: DX 10/SM 4.0


The GeForce GTX 260 offers a compelling level of performance now that its price has been reduced to $220, allowing it to trade blows with the Radeon HD 4870 on its own turf. This is one of those situations where a buyer really should look at which card is best for the games he or she plans to play (although you really can’t go wrong with either card).

What do you think I should get?
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