A debate for the ages

**kamikaze_bad_ass** · 02-23-2009

OK I'M WANTING TO GET A NEW VIDEO CARD AND I NORMALLY USE NIVIDIA GE FORCE'S BUT I HEAR PPL SWEAR BY THE ATI VIDEO CARDS SO GIVE ME SOME INPUT PLEASE

A. Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N973-TR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
B. Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N977-TR GeForce 9800 GT Superclocked Edition 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
C. ATI Radeon X800 XL (256MB, PCI) Graphics Card reviews - CNET Reviews
D.Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

OR IF YA HAVE ANY BETTER SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW BUT KEEP IN MIND ONLY EVGA ASUS OR SAPPIRE CARDS AND NOT TOO MUCH OVER THE 150 RANGE

**RandomHero** · 02-23-2009

Personally, I am fond of nVidia over ATI cards. Less issues and better performance in my opinion.

I'd go with A (EVGA 512-P3-N973)

**enderless** · 02-23-2009

this could be interesting. I know ppl can swear up and down about both. =P

From experience, i have found (myself the general consensus) that Nvidia support is superior (Nvidia updates their drivers FAR more frequently than ATI). But i have owned an Nvidia series card for the last 4-5yrs, so that could be different now.

I know you want to get your rig around soon, so i would vote for A as well. If you can hold off for a bit longer, those GTX260's will be coming down to the 150+ range soon.

**kamikaze_bad_ass** · 02-23-2009

ya to be honest with ya i always preferred nividia cards myself (one reason is cause my brother is a comp programer, developer, designer, builder, and techie amoug other things and he always gets nivida card for his comp) but the last 2 cards i had were both bfg nividias and both had issues after bout 6mo or so so i thought i throw this debat out there

BTWfor ya'll wanting my specs here they are

Motherboard - Asus P5K deluxe Intel chipset 775
Processor - Intel dual core 3.0 MHz
Memory - 4 gig's of DDR 2 800 Ram
Hard Drives2 160 gigs western digital hard drives
CD/ROM - Panasonic 48x DVD/DR
Power Supply - Antec 550 watt smart power

unrealtaco · 02-23-2009

PFFT lol go win the lottery so u can afford a asus 4870x2 xD

ilikeboobs · 02-23-2009

honestly if your going to be going for a good graphics card from ATI go with the hd4800 series, either the 4850 or 4870, both are hdmi ready cards with a built in soundcard for when you hook up an hdmi cable. The 4870 single card also runs better then most highend Nvidia cards.

unrealtaco · 02-23-2009

ilikeboobs i was making a joke none of the 4800 serious is in the 150 dollar range as far as i know so

**kamikaze_bad_ass** · 02-23-2009

OK SERIOUSLY EVERYONE IF IT'S OVER 150ish bucks DON'T BOTHER

ALSO IF ANYONE HAS A GOOD VIDEO CARD FOR SELL OR FREE LET ME KNOW K

**rjk83** · 02-24-2009

I've used both Ati & Nvidia cards in the past few years and I lean quite a bit towards the Nvidia side. I've always just had better performance in the long term with my Nvidia cards vs. Ati, but again, everyone will always pick a side on the issue.

The 9800 is a good card for the price imo. Why do you say only EVGA or Asus cards? (I only ask because I read a great review at a couple of places last month around the Gigabyte 9800gt, which I've never personally bought a Gigabyte card, but ehh.)

I'd say Nvidia ftw.

Here is a couple links for reviews, Tom's hardware does a lot of reviews that aren't always the "super extreme $500 cards" which can be helpful.

GeForce 9800 GT Roundup (EVGA, ASUS, Gigabyte & Palit) - Hardware Canucks

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: Feb. '09 : January Review/February Updates - Review Tom's Hardware