Nvidia Or Ati ?

TriPhase · December 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">which card should i get ?</div> Before i get into it.. heres my specs.
Intel P4 2.8 ghertz w/ Hyper-Threading
512 DDR PC-2700
800 Mhz Bus speed
Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mb agp

Now when im playing NS i have frame dropage so bad... i have all my settings on optimal performance and ati_subdiv and npatch set to 0..

I was thinking of getting the new XT or a nvidia card.. but i have no clue what to do.. should i get a new card.. or there someway to keep mine from droping so bad ? i hear people with like a 9600, or a gf fx 5200 get 100 constant.. whats up.. ?

If anyone has any help, please post.

Redford · December 2003

I assure you that the "massive FPS drops" are not due to your video card in any way, shape or form ( prom a performance standpoint) because you have the current best video card on the market. Somthing is amiss with your computer that is causing it. However, what it is I can not say.

However, replacing a 9800pro with anything (much less a geforce) would be a travisty.

Talesin · December 2003

Which version of the Catalysts are you using? 3.10 are out, and they're a very decent package. As well, there's a good bit of tweaking that you can do to fix things... unfortunately, one of the new HL patches (Steam is just the delivery and auth system) had a negative effect on specific Radeon-rigs' performance. Most don't notice it, and it appears to only hit one out of every fifty or sixty Radeon users. Still trying to figure out a link.

TriPhase · December 2003

i got the latest drivers.. it just burns me when everyone else gets 100 fps constant and im dropping like a rock.. i try getting some good.. and i always fall out.. i have no clue what to do

Testament · December 2003

Yeah...same problems on my 9600 Pro. My GF2 beat it in Half-Life mods. I've just stopped playing HL.

Nurot · January 2004

I prefer the newest Nvidia. That's always worked well with me with very few problems. Never used the other one though so I can't compare them.

Swiftspear · January 2004

what windows (if your using windows) are you using? Who made your computer (ie. HP, Dell, ext)? stupid quesion, but is your HL on Open GL mode? and of so, do you have the latest Direct X? There is no direct reason a top of the line video card should work worse than a lesser one.

Thansal · January 2004

trade yah my geforce 4 ti 4200 for your ati <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

and for FPS help go to the tech help thread (there are ALOT of tweak guides there)

Rellix · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Talesin @ Dec 27 2003, 10:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Most don't notice it, and it appears to only hit one out of every fifty or sixty Radeon users  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
And Im one of those people.

BizZy_9mm_Messiah · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Talesin @ Dec 27 2003, 05:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Which version of the Catalysts are you using? 3.10 are out, and they're a very decent package. As well, there's a good bit of tweaking that you can do to fix things... unfortunately, one of the new HL patches (Steam is just the delivery and auth system) had a negative effect on specific Radeon-rigs' performance. Most don't notice it, and it appears to only hit one out of every fifty or sixty Radeon users. Still trying to figure out a link.  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Wow, when did they come out? I'm going to have to update once again...sigh it gets old. Keep your 9800 though, nothing wrong with it. But if you want, you could uh *cough* always give it to me for half price. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Soylent_green · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I prefer the newest Nvidia. That's always worked well with me with very few problems. Never used the other one though so I can't compare them. </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

I can, ATi has no "digital vibrance"(which some miss, but I certainly don't), quite alot better shader performance(especially when comparing in full precision) and (IMO) nicer image quality(especially noticable in 2D). ATi has nicer Anti-aliasing and uglier anisotropic filtering quality according to just about everyone.

nVidia has to drop precision for performance in games like HL2 on all but the very high end cards. In older, polygon/fillrate pushing games and application nVidia has lovely performance.

Soylent_green · January 2004

TriPhase try disabling sound in the device manager in the control panel(as a test)...

Xiile · January 2004

First of all, if you have an ATI 9800 Pro and you want to upgrade you must be smoking... something, no offence or anything <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'> just make sure you have the latest drivers from the ATI website.

<a href='http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html' target='_blank'>Link for the lazy, of course!</a> <- Driver Link

EDIT: Wooooops. Just read the other posts. Ignore my help kekeke

EDIT II: Just found <a href='http://www.guru3d.com/rivatuner/' target='_blank'>this.</a> Its called RivaTuner. Don't know if its compatible with your drivers and stuff though, so be sure to read its documentation <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

EDIT III: Erm, have you checked hard disk fragmentation? (humm gotta love the edit button <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>)

EDIT IV: OMG I keep thinking up stuff XD. Check <a href='http://www.pcpitstop.com' target='_blank'>this</a> and make sure your computer is running nice and good. Just test anonimously like I always do.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS! <b>(btw, sarcasm warning)</b> :
STEP:
1) Put your monitor in your microwave, covered in aluminum foil. If it doesn't fit (which I doubt it will) put it out on the street at night.
2) Cook your tower with your oven. <i>BE SURE TO PREHEAT TO 450?F!</i> If you dont it wont be tender...
3) Use your mouse as some kind of ninja tool.
4) Use your keyboard to stop that darn ant infestation. After that clean your keyboard with battery acid. It should work great.
5) What to do with the speakers... hm, I imagine the subwoofer would make a good footrest. The speakers are targets for a rifle.

chis1 · January 2004

All you people with leet video cards and your fps are dropping? heck i have ge force 4 mx and i get a steady 60fps <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

DOOManiac · January 2004

Your video card sucks, you got the bad one. I mean 9800 PRO? What were you thinking? Ditch it and send it to me so I can kick this aging Ti4400 to the curb :D

Ashaman_Joe · January 2004

Try disabling the sound. If your using onboard sound, HL may be stealing your proccessor power. If it runs better with no sound, grab a sound card. (What sound card do you have, anyways?)

Edit: Someone already said this. Dern.

xioutlawix · January 2004

If you DO end up getting a new video card
: whistles innocently :
I'd be willing to buy the 9800 pro off ya...you know, maybe we can work some sort of deal out, considering how fast its aging

: smiles evilly :

criticaI · January 2004

The ATI's run faster, hotter, and are less stable imo. If you want a bit less performance and more stability, go with Nvidia.

Right now I've been playing alot of Halo and there is a major BSOD crash with ATI drivers. The ATIs also get less performance in older games which you have to weigh into your decision.

I do also like the digital vibrance and some of the extra tools Nvidia comes out with. Having used both cards with recent games, I'd say that the ATIs produce smoother images (FSAA is better) and the Nvidias produce sharper, clearer images (Anis Filtering, digital vibrance).

Just go with what you'd prefer. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

00039 · January 2004

me thinks you have vsync enabled, if you do you have two choices

1. Disable V-Sync

2. Click on Compatibility and set tripple buffering to enabled(this smoothes out framerate when v-sync is enabled)

Zaphod · January 2004

Voodoo, definitely go with Voodoo <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

I wish they were still around.

Talesin · January 2004

Actually, ATi cards run cooler. Even on the R9800XT, they stay nicely in their single AGP slot... unlike *ahem* <i>some</i> video cards. As well, their AA and anisotropic filtering is much more crisp and clear, with better (true) color calculations, rather than relying on cutting down color calcs to artificially boost fps rates. This is why it's always been a simple matter to see cloaked Kharaa on a Radeon. You actually get GOOD color calcs, and the cloaking code is (was) based around lower-precision color calculation.

Stable... well, I did have problems at one point with my R9000 Pro when I switched desktop resolutions (but never in a game), but that was partly due to the fact that I had a TV hooked up.. the RAMDACs got confused and switched on the TV and off the CRT. With my R9500 Pro, there is no such problem.
In addition, one of the new features of the Catalysts is the 'GPU Recover' function. If the video card ever loses stability, the GPU is reset, bringing the application back to life without needing to reboot. I've never seen it work, but then I've never had the video card crash outside alpha code.

In short. ATi cards are faster, cooler, quieter, and from personal experience, rock solid when built-by-ATi (the only kind I ever buy).

On the other hand, I've had to repair six systems that had problems directly traceable to the video card.. the worst instance being a GF4-MX400 that couldn't even use the nVidia reference drivers, and screwed the system to the point that I was forced to pull the card, put in the replacement Radeon, and format the entire machine because their funky drivers continued to linger.. not even DetonatorR.I.P. could get them out.

My money rests securely with ATi for the time being. I cannot recommend anything other, and maintain a clear conscience.

criticaI · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Talesin @ Jan 15 2004, 06:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> In addition, one of the new features of the Catalysts is the 'GPU Recover' function. If the video card ever loses stability, the GPU is reset, bringing the application back to life without needing to reboot. I've never seen it work, but then I've never had the video card crash outside alpha code. </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Howdy, I can confirm that it works. I had a couple crashes with my ATI recently and it worked like a charm. A very convincing feature.

I'm still liking my Nvidia 5900 more though <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>
ATI crashes alot with Halo and thats what I've been playing lately.

Talesin · January 2004

Interesting... I've never had Halo crash. Are you running the newest patch? And which Radeon do you have?

Hawkeye · January 2004

I was thinking about getting a Radeon 9600 XT for my birthday, but now I'm not so sure. Keep in mind I don't have 500 dollars to spend. I understand there are better cards out there. I'm simply not a millionaire. I'm a college student.

Anyhow, would you guys recommend the Radeon 9600 XT as a good deal? (190 dollars)
If not, what would be a better video card? I want it to work with Half-life 2 and Doom3 with reasonable playability. I believe Radeon 9600 XT will do that as is.

What do you guys think?

UltimaGecko · January 2004

I have a Radeon 9200, works great (although, I don't think I have the RAM for Halo...). However, this computer has an ATI Rage Pro Turbo AGP2x...which is really old. I'm lucky if I can get Half-Life at 20fps when lots of stuff is going on...more like 2fps.

Only nVidia card I've used is in my Xbox...Only problems I have with that involve the DVD-Rom drive....pffffft, stupid Thompson drives.

pieceofsoap · January 2004

Try turning off TruForm. Worked for me.

Xyth · January 2004

Also if you aren't now, try running it at 800x600(did sombody say this already :/ )
My video card would get this strange issue occasionally were HL would only run at 5 fps, but when I switched it to 800x600, the problem vanished.

Talesin · January 2004

The R9600XT should be a decent card for HL2, D3, and all of that goodness as they actually have Pixel Shader 2.0 support (which the GeForce FX line don't have... they 'dumb down' PS2.0 to 1.4) and render at full color quality. There's little you can do to match or beat it for around that price, besides finding a Radeon 9500 Pro.

SillyGoose · January 2004

if your having problems with that 9800 Pro Ill take it off your hands, Ill trade you that for my 9600ProAIW. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif'>

criticaI · January 2004

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Hawkeye @ Jan 15 2004, 09:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I was thinking about getting a Radeon 9600 XT for my birthday, but now I'm not so sure. Keep in mind I don't have 500 dollars to spend. I understand there are better cards out there. I'm simply not a millionaire. I'm a college student.

Anyhow, would you guys recommend the Radeon 9600 XT as a good deal? (190 dollars)
If not, what would be a better video card? I want it to work with Half-life 2 and Doom3 with reasonable playability. I believe Radeon 9600 XT will do that as is.

What do you guys think?  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
I don't think there is much incentive to get the XT, just get a Pro. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'> It still comes with HL2 which is like a game you were gonna buy anyway so its 50 dollars off the card!

TriPhase · January 2004

Ahh try disablin the sound.. never thought of that.. actually i am using a onboard sound card ( i HAVE to get a new one )... anyone know the way to shut it off ?

P.S. my friend said turn of the speakers ( roffle berrie pie. )

Nvidia Or Ati ?

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