Video Card / Memory Question

[Mr Bob]

Two things:

1) I run a lot of graphic designing programs and require around 1GB of memory. I was looking at the PC3500 (2x256MB) Dual-Channel ...ltra Performance Chips wondering how the quality is for this product? I have the ASUS P4P800 Delux Motherboard.

2) I need something just a tad better than an entry level video card, I was looking at the Radeon 9600SE and thought it would be suitale. Any opinions on this card?

I found it for $68 w/ shipping http://www.futurepowerpc.com/s...amp;REFID=PW&tab=0.

One thing I do not quite understand is the difference between the "PowerColor" name in the product name. Power-Color ATI RADEON 9600SE (325MHz / 400Mhz) (128MB DDR / CRT, DVI, TV-Out). Is PowerColor the MFC?

I have seen other places selling the Radeon 9600SE without the PowerColor name.
http://www.dumpinggoods.com/du...L38&ic=VG-ASU-0030
http://www.essencompu.com/nupplysingar.asp?ID=5971
http://www.gameve.com/gve/stor...ils.aspx?sku=VC-SA-041

Where would I see a difference in the card?

 

[UK Frost]

If you want to use 1gb of memory go for the 2x512 configuration rather than 4x256 just to save space and run in dual channel.

If your not interested in overclocking just save money and get 3200 ddr 400 ram.The higher quality Corsair etc ram such as XMS TwinX are usually low latency modules.If you dont care about low latency then save your money.

Their is a good mid range now due to price reductions and new products.I would avoid the SE though and go for a 9600Pro / 9600XT / 9800 Pro / nvidia 5700 depending on your budget.If your not a gamer you dont need to spend an excessive amount of money.

Yes Powercolor is the manafacturer.............Good Luck

 

[Mindaxiz]

theres many 3rd party companies that remake original ATI/NVIDIA cards. you ask why? many reasons, some to increase performance by adding better cooling system and overclocking it, others simply remake it for low-end users and sell them alot cheeper.

As i understand PowerColor is one of these 3rd party companies. i suggest you becareful before bying a 9600SE for $68. its a bit too cheep to be true.

 

[Stlr23]

What exactly do you want from your video card and how much are you willing to spend?


If your looking for something pretty decent and cheap CRUCIAL has a good price on a refurbished RADEON 9100 250mhz core clock and 128mb Memory / 128 bit interface for only $37.99 as of this posting.

http://www.crucial.com/store/P...RFBV9100128A5&cat=


Hell maybe even the Refurbished RADEON 7500 for $19.99 that they have might even cut the cheese for ya.


http://www.crucial.com/store/P...TRFBV750064A5&cat=



Otherwise, skip that 9600 SE as it's just a half ass card that's not even worth that price. Keep your eyes open for some new offerings by Nvidia for $100 aswell.

 

[CSMR]

Originally posted by: Mr Bob
2) I need something just a tad better than an entry level video card, I was looking at the Radeon 9600SE and thought it would be suitale. Any opinions on this card?

Decent card. You could consider the 9200 too. Don't let the gamers persuade you to get a higher-power card which you don't need. If you are using analog consider Matrox too.

 

[Mr Bob]

I need a card with DVI.

I viewed a few of the video cards that I believe were just a little better than an at home user's computer. I'm not much of a gamer, and the games I do play do not need a $100 card to play.


I ran across an awesome deal at just $68 for the Radeon 9600SE. It sounds like it is a little better than just an average card. 128MB, with DVI, and the clock speed of 400mhz.

Here is the place I was looking at: http://www.futurepowerpc.com/s...amp;REFID=PW&tab=0

I am willing to sepdn $80 for a card, but hoping to keep it a little bit below that. A refurbished card is totally out of the question.

I would avoid the SE though and go for a 9600Pro / 9600XT / 9800 Pro / nvidia 5700
- Most of those cards I have seen were far more than $80.

 

[UK Frost]

Hmm fair enough,i'm not too savvy with US dollars.I just wanted to point out that there is a lot of choice now in that sector and give you something to look at and compare.
Good luck in Choosing one....

 

[Mr Bob]

Well, you mentioned to avoid the 9600SE, any reason why the 9600Pro / 9600XT / 9800 Pro / nvidia 5700 would be better, and more realistic for what I need?

It looks to me that the cards are pretty similar, maybe one or two small differences, except for a $20 added price tag.

 

[Mr Bob]

Still be nice to get a few more opinions..

 

[Mr Bob]

anyone?

 

[bendixG15]

I would say you are not getting much of a response because the
ATI video card subject has been beat to death her for the past six months.

Try the search button and you should get plenty of hits.
Good Luck ....................

 

[Mr Bob]

Most of the threads pertain to cards that are around $200. I want one around $100...

It seems the 9600SE has some bad reviews, however... http://www.futurepowerpc.com/s...amp;REFID=PW&tab=0 shows that it is 128MB(DDR) with 400Mhz.

So do I pay twice as much and get the 128MB to turn into 256MB like the http://www.buy.com/retail/prod...0378005&dcaid=1688

 

[UK Frost]

I'am naturally cynical when it comes to cards such as the 9600SE which are basically a 'castrated' 9600 intended for sale in the low end sector of the market.Thats not to say it's unsuitable for the task you have in mind,i just wanted to point out that if the difference in price was reasonable i would go for one of the proper 9600's.
What i mean by castrated is that the memory interface is reduced from 128 bit to 64 bit amongst other little alterations depending on the manafacturer.The difference between 128 meg and 256 meg of ram is insignificant on a card such as this and would be a waste of the extra money as the card would not have enough 'horsepower' to run applications at the resolution or quality where 256 meg would be required.
The validity of the reviews depend largely on how they were conducted and on what the card was judged on.A lot of sites review cards using gaming benchmarks which is not a lot of use for general users,so if you do look at benchmarks only pay attention to the results of benchmarks that are relevant to you.
The reason i initially mentioned getting a better card than the one you suggested was because you mentioned using graphic design applications in your opening post.I have never used such things but i imagined that image quality would be a high priority and therefore suggested some alternatives that would almost definetly provide this.
I would not pay double the price of what you had in mind originally just for a 256meg card for the reasons i gave above but i would maybe look at getting a pukka 9600 - 9600Pro - 9800,price permitting of course.
Good luck in your search,let me know how you get on.. Regards.