Best 'budget' ATI card for DX9 perf?

[RC]

System board is an MSI K7N2 Delta-L (nVidia nForce2 motherboard chipset),
cpu is AMD XP 2800+, memory is 512meg PC3200.

Was going to get an nVidia vidcard but actually the crowd over on
alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia said that the current crop of ATI cards
do a better job at 3D gaming work in Directx 8.1 and 9.0 than many of the
nVidia cards.

Would like to keep the pricetag below $150 US.

 

[David Ludwig]

Probably the ATI RADEON 9600 128MB 8X AGP is the best bet, right around
$150. For about $25 more, you can get the Pro version.

 

[Alpine]

Comp USA has a $20 rebate for the 9600 Pro good through the end of November.
Last week they were running it for $149.99 after $50 instant rebate. The
picture in the paper showed the 9600 Pro box with a free copy of HL2 on the
front. I couldn't find any of the local stores with a copy left so I ordered
it on-line for store pickup about 50 miles away. The on-line price showed
the $20 rebate but the link to the rebate form was for a rebate that expired
on 11/16 so I didn't expect to get it especially since the newspaper add
didn't mention it. By placing my order on-line the store would hold my card
for 72 hours. That way I was sure it would be there when I got there. I did
bring the add with me and asked them to give me my HL2 coupon since that was
the deciding factor of whether or not I bought the card. After finally
figuring out that the 9600 Pro does not include the HL2 coupon the Manager
agreed to pull one out of a 9600 SE box and give it to me. He said they
would return the SE to ATI. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the cash
register printed out a $20 rebate slip that did include valid dates. I ended
up with my ATI 9600 Pro for $129.99 + a free copy of HL2. I would have been
happy if it wouldn't have included the $20 rebate but that just made the
deal even better. My 9600 Pro smokes my GeForce3 (doubled my Aquamark3 score
from 11000 to 22000) so I'm happy with it. Doesn't quite come close to the
39000 I get on my FX5900 but the ATI is on a slightly slower processor
though and cost $100 less and included a copy of a free $40-$50 game.

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[ATINUT]

System board is an MSI K7N2 Delta-L (nVidia nForce2 motherboard chipset),
cpu is AMD XP 2800+, memory is 512meg PC3200.

Was going to get an nVidia vidcard but actually the crowd over on
alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia said that the current crop of ATI cards
do a better job at 3D gaming work in Directx 8.1 and 9.0 than many of the
nVidia cards.

Would like to keep the pricetag below $150 US.

I wouldn't get it from a VAR(Value Added Reseller), some of them raise
the price to $200.00 or more for a 9600 or 9600XT. I would spend the
extra money and get a PRO version of either card.

 

[neopolaris]

Alpine wrote:
My 9600 Pro smokes my GeForce3 (doubled my Aquamark3

score from 11000 to 22000) so I'm happy with it.

poor reason for an upgrade.

 

[Alpine]

Who said that was why I upgraded? That is merely ONE example of something I
can measure showing the performance difference between two of my cards.
ANOTHER difference is FS2004 flies at 25 FPS with all settings at one level
below maximum. AND YET ANOTHER example is Call Of Duty looks much better and
runs much smoother on my 9600 Pro. Shall I go on?

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[bob cox]

People are way too worried about the motivations of others these days.

Let the guy enjoy his aquamark score if it makes him happy. This
group is all about bragging.

Admittedly it's no surprise the score doubled.