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mx 440 128Mb pci or radeon 9000 pci moment of decision

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kenclops
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mx 440 128Mb pci or radeon 9000 pci moment of decision

Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:08 pm

Okay... I finally have the cash to choose one or the other. Which should I choose!!!! I'm ordering tonight!!!
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:24 pm

Couple of questions: Will you be playing many DVD's or using TV/out with your PC? And how long do you expect to keep the card (before you get another pc or upgrade to a mobo w/AGP)?
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:26 pm

I will be using this computer for no more than a year. I play DVD's, but I don't use the TV-out feature; however, the 9000 PCI second monitor would be nice.
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Strabo
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:30 pm

Radeon 9000 = DX 8

MX 440 = DX 7

The answer depends on how soon you expect to upgrade again. The Radeon 9000 will age better. OTOH, NVIDIA's drivers have always been better than ATi's, and they (NVIDIA) are very well known for putting out driver updates that give large percentage performance increases on their cards, even months after the initial release. ATi's been performing adequately on the driver front lately. Not stellar, but they don't suck like they have in years past.
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Starfalcon
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:31 pm

The MX440 128 meg card is a waste, the MX core can not even use more than 64 megs. The card will perform just the same as the lesser card, so just save your money and get the 64 meg one. It is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy it because more memory is thought of as better. You can also go with the 9000 card and save money, I have one in my junk box and it is much better than the MX 220 I had in there.
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:33 pm

Well, both cards are going to perform similarly, with the 440 probably being a little faster in most games coming out in the next year. With a PCI card, I assume that if you are playing graphics intensive games such at UT2003, it will be with the details turned down, in which case the DX8 graphics features of the 9000 may not be of much use. If you plan on using dual monitors, then the 9000 is your only choice. I can't give you an impression of DVD playback, but the general consensus on these forums is that ATI is better at playing DVD's. Also, when you decide to upgrade and if you sell the card you get, the 128mb on the MX440 may seem more attractive to prospective buyers. It still remains to be seen if the extra 64mb on an MX card really helps. So, it's kind of a tossup, really. Bet that didn't help you one bit :wink:
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Starfalcon
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:38 pm

Get the 9000 card, it is great. :wink:
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 9:53 pm

Okay... in UT2K3, I run the game with a GFMX420 PCI-- I run it with everything on save Textures and Player Detail are on Normal. I run it at 800x600. So, using a r9000, will I be able to run the game at 800x600 at a smooth frame rate with textures at normal, player detail at normal, world detail on high, and everything else on except tri-linear combing. Also, I found that if you use software sound, you get an extreme boost than using hardware sound.
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:01 pm

Couldn't tell you about that, because I don't play UT. In any case, you will get more detail with the 9000, and either the 9000 or the 440 will be a bit faster than the 420. All in all, I would advise getting the 9000.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:03 pm

hercules 9000 pci with powerdvd and possibly a faster core

or what does the powercolor 9000 come with?
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:05 pm

This is somewhat off topic, but check the link below, the product right under the 9700. How does a 128mb 9000 PCI grab you? Maybe a teaser for an upcoming product, although it's anyone's guess when and if we'll see it.

http://www.datastudion.com/frameMainGra ... ra=produkt
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:11 pm

The PC 9000 is very basic. You get a driver CD, the card, and a couple of TV/out cables. That's it. BTW, if you are thinking of ordering a Hercules 9000 PCI from Compusmart (was it?) and you live in the US, then don't waste your time. I called them today and they don't ship the the US, only to Canada. :x
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:33 pm

How the hell did you find the reference to that card?

EDIT: Never mind... google
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:37 pm

Google owns you 8)
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:46 pm

Have you found any place where you can order the Hercules 9000 pci in America?
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:50 pm

Damn it! Just the reference to the radeon 9000 128 MB pci drives me insane. It exists and yet... unreachable. Arrgh!!!

Okay.. breath. Question, the PCI versions require a motherboard that is 2.2 compliant. I think mine is 2.1 compliant. Does this really matter?
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:52 pm

The 9000 should work in any modern pc made in the last 2-3 yrs or so, as long as it has a PCI slot. And if you are ordering from Newegg and it doesn't work, you can always return it. Newegg has a great reputation for customer service, especially when it comes to returning equipment. What are the specs for your pc?
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:54 pm

Pentium 3 850 Mhz 100 FSB Slot 1
512 MB of PC100 RAM
400 Watt Power Supply - Antec
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:55 pm

The 9000 should do just fine in your pc.
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:57 pm

Go ahead and get the 9000. The performance differences between it and the 440 are small. And if you get the 440, you'll be kicking yourself for not getting the 9000. You'll be wondering what you are missing as far as DX8 support goes.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:58 pm

Off topic for a moment, but at amamax, there's a geforce 440 pci using sd-ram and the other using ddr sdram.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:00 pm

Even more off-topic, PAC-MAN the movie coming soon!!!

http://hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodr ... id=1755172

read the live-action part.
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:01 pm

I think that's a typo. That is the exact card I bought, and from the same company. I actually went to their office and picked it up, because they are here in Houston and I'm in the 'burbs. And mine came with DDR.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:03 pm

I'm gonna overnight the R9000. Get it buy Thursday!!!
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:05 pm

You made the right choice. You should notice a difference in performance over your 420. Also, I think the 2D is better, too. Everything seems a little sharper (picture wise) with the 9000, compared to the 440 I used to have.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:13 pm

Okay... I've sent the order through newegg, it will overnighted tommorrow and rush ordered through new egg. YES!!! IF IT'S UP TO ME, PCI IS THE WAY TO BE!!!
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:17 pm

Cool. Let us know your impressions of it when you get it running. Also, you may want to download the latest Catalyst drivers from ATI's website instead of using the driver cd.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:21 pm

Thanks for the heads up.
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kenclops
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:31 pm

Question, should I download the powered by ATI drivers or the regular catalyst drivers?
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Mloot
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Tue Nov 05, 2002 11:38 pm

I downloaded the "powered by ATI" drivers. The driver number is the same as the "built by ATI" drivers, but who knows if there are any differences between the two? I figured since the 9000 PCI is "powered by ATI", I should follow their recommendations. I haven't had any problems with them.
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