Athlon 2000 XP
512 MB Crucial DDR 266
Geforce 3 Ti500
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
yada, yada, yada
I would like to turn everything on at 1600x1200 in N2K3.
Will this card be enough?
If not, what would be enough?
Thanks,
Phillip
--
"Somebody asked me how fast we went in the corner here, and I have no idea.
It's irrelevant. You're just trying to get everything you can out of the
race car."
- Nascar Champion Bill Elliott
It certainly won't hurt, but if you want all the features etc..then
your cpu is not stout enuf. Even a P4 3.06 could get humbled by the
Papyrus graphics. Let's put it this way...you current card is very fast at
medium to high resolutions...but when you start reaching for 16x12 screens,
the 128bit memory falls short. The ATI's 256bit memory path will more
easily handle the higher screen resolutions.
THe next ATI part, the 9900pro should be out soon, that 'should' knock
the 9700's prices down some. You might want to wait a few more weeks.
> > Here are my specs:
> > Athlon 2000 XP
> > 512 MB Crucial DDR 266
> > Geforce 3 Ti500
> > Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
> > yada, yada, yada
> > I would like to turn everything on at 1600x1200 in N2K3.
> > Will this card be enough?
> > If not, what would be enough?
> > Thanks,
> > Phillip
> It certainly won't hurt, but if you want all the features etc..then
> your cpu is not stout enuf. Even a P4 3.06 could get humbled by the
> Papyrus graphics. Let's put it this way...you current card is very fast
at
> medium to high resolutions...but when you start reaching for 16x12
screens,
> the 128bit memory falls short. The ATI's 256bit memory path will more
> easily handle the higher screen resolutions.
> THe next ATI part, the 9900pro should be out soon, that 'should' knock
> the 9700's prices down some. You might want to wait a few more weeks.
to Sapphire 9700 Pro.
The leap in fps in all games is astounding,the move up is never in question
it has always been the cost for many.
If prices will drop when 9900 Pro arrives then wait.
AD
This is the best resource for comparing cards I find...
http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20021218/index.html
I tend to kind of 'average out' all the game results to see what real life
improvement you might get - so, from GF3 Ti500 to 9700 Pro... ( just
remember this isnt with an Athlon 2000 - it's with a P4 3gig - so you
probably will have a slightly increased CPU limitation)
Aquanox - 58.1 -> 119.4 ( 105% increase)
Dungeon Siege - 96 -> 97.7 (1,7% increase - do I hear a "CPU LIMITED" cry?"
UT2k3 - 85.4 ->172.6 ( 102% increase)
3DM2k1 - 10233 ->15373 ( 50.2% increase - I dont trust 3dM as a benchmark
though)
Jedi Knight II 161.5 -> 172.4 ( 6.7% increase)
Overall - averages about a 53% increase in graphical grunt.
And at 200 - I think the 9700 Pro is a great buy - as long as you trust
that ATI have improved their drivers. If I were buying one - I'd get it
direct from www.crucial.com - they're an excellent manufacturer - the card
is well built, and the price is right!
Doug
> > Here are my specs:
> > Athlon 2000 XP
> > 512 MB Crucial DDR 266
> > Geforce 3 Ti500
> > Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
> > yada, yada, yada
> > I would like to turn everything on at 1600x1200 in N2K3.
> > Will this card be enough?
> > If not, what would be enough?
> > Thanks,
> > Phillip
> This is the best resource for comparing cards I find...
> http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20021218/index.html
> I tend to kind of 'average out' all the game results to see what real life
> improvement you might get - so, from GF3 Ti500 to 9700 Pro... ( just
> remember this isnt with an Athlon 2000 - it's with a P4 3gig - so you
> probably will have a slightly increased CPU limitation)
> Aquanox - 58.1 -> 119.4 ( 105% increase)
> Dungeon Siege - 96 -> 97.7 (1,7% increase - do I hear a "CPU LIMITED"
cry?"
> UT2k3 - 85.4 ->172.6 ( 102% increase)
> 3DM2k1 - 10233 ->15373 ( 50.2% increase - I dont trust 3dM as a benchmark
> though)
> Jedi Knight II 161.5 -> 172.4 ( 6.7% increase)
> Overall - averages about a 53% increase in graphical grunt.
> And at 200 - I think the 9700 Pro is a great buy - as long as you trust
> that ATI have improved their drivers. If I were buying one - I'd get it
> direct from www.crucial.com - they're an excellent manufacturer - the card
> is well built, and the price is right!
> Doug
