$200 card for DOOM3?

[nitromullet]

Summary:
Doom 3: 6800nu
Longlivety: 9800p w/ 512mb ram

I don't think so.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2113&p=1

The 6800NU either meets or beats the 9800XT (a more expensive card) in most tests, including DX9. I fail to see how a lesser performing card and added RAM provide longevity. Obvioulsy, I agree that the 6800NU is the way to go for Doom3.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Denis54
I have not dropped out of the thread, as a matter of fact I have read each post with much interrest.

My son is not much of a gamer. He games a bit but is mostly interested by programming. That is why is has survived so far with his old GF3. DOOM3 is essentially the only game that interests him.

Programming is the main reason for additional RAM. Bringing better performance with DOOM3 would simply have been an additional incentive for more RAM.

When will the AGP version of the 6600 be available?

For the time being it seems like the 9800 Pro is our best bet.

WithOUT a doubt - the 9800p IS the best buy at $200 now

especially since your son is not a gamer

When you threw out the "will an additional 512MB ram make a difference?", i ASSUMED you were referring to a FUTURE (X-mas?) purchase (you appear to be a proud father).

For programming . . . yes . . . for ANYthing (just about), an extra 512 DOES make a difference . . . in games MOSTly in loading levels . . . but will make MUCH LESS difference to Doom III than simply upgrading the videocard . . . i'd say the upgrade from your son's old GF to a 9800p will be 'breathtaking' . . . adding xtra ram will just make the levels load quicker.

glad you stayed . . . i have dropped out of the 'bickering' and hope my posts are helpful to you,,

Happy B-day to your son!
(mine's the end of this month)




the 6600 realistically will be available in Oct/Nov

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Summary:
Doom 3: 6800nu
Longlivety: 9800p w/ 512mb ram

I don't think so.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2113&p=1

The 6800NU either meets or beats the 9800XT (a more expensive card) in most tests, including DX9. I fail to see how a lesser performing card and added RAM provide longevity. Obvioulsy, I agree that the 6800NU is the way to go for Doom3.

I wasnt saying today's games will use the ram more then the better graphics card. What i meant, was that i was just speculating that future games would use 512mb of ram and have it needed more then in today's games. Games like RTS and MMORPG games i suspect will fall into this catagory. By the time we do need a gig of ram minimum, i suspect that it would be more beneficial than a 20% faster graphics card would be.
To little ram literally BREAKS a game. Try doom 3 on 256mb of ram. I have, and its NOT pretty. Its not that you have to turn the settings down, its that no matter what setting u have it at, you get HUGE spikes in the framerate due to the low amount of ram. 20% on a graphics card would not produce these inconsistant results. Basically if you wont be able to play it on a 9800p at all, id be surprised if you could play it at all on a 6800. Its like the difference between a 9600xt and a 9600 vanilla. (only considering framerate in most games (aka ~20%) and not features)
The only acception to this, is doom 3 which i mentioned in my last post. That game and its engine provide more than a 20% increase between the two cards. Its not just a little step in that specific game, unlike the other games that have been benchmarked.

 

[railer]

Denis,

I'll probably be slapping in my newly arrived ($140 shipped, refurb) 5900xt later tonight. I'll let you know how it compares to my month old ($110 shipped, used) Radeon 9700 np. I expect the 5900 to be the faster D3 card, especially when overclocked. However if it's not at least 27% faster, then I'll sell it, cause I'm like that. I'll post back with my findings.

 

[railer]

Well, the xt, even when clocked to the moon (470/920) was still slower than the 9700 np (350/300). I was getting 34 fps on 1024x768 high detail on the 5900, vs 37.2 same settings for the 9700. Guess I'll be keeping the 9700. Pretty amazing for a two year old card.... Looking through the stickied D3 benchmark thread, you'll notice a few other folks with 5900's, and they never seem to break 35 fps at 1024x768 high detail. Interesting.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: railer
Well, the xt, even when clocked to the moon (470/920) was still slower than the 9700 np (350/300). I was getting 34 fps on 1024x768 high detail on the 5900, vs 37.2 same settings for the 9700. Guess I'll be keeping the 9700. Pretty amazing for a two year old card.... Looking through the stickied D3 benchmark thread, you'll notice a few other folks with 5900's, and they never seem to break 35 fps at 1024x768 high detail. Interesting.

Big nV...big bad nV....

My 5800U got 42fps at 10X7 high detail! Teh roxor.

 

[imported_Vision]

I got my gf 6800 nu for $263 shipped, oc'd it to 385/890 and get 44.6 fps @ 1600x1200 in doom 3, works great!