What graphics card is best for me? How to upgrade for X3?

Post by **CBJ** » Mon, 20. Nov 06, 11:48

It is already linked from a sticky thread in Tech Support. However, since the graphics card world moves on at a rapid pace, many of the early posts in this thread are now very out of date. I'd say it would almost be better if this thread wasn't linked from a sticky thread at all.

Augustini · Post by **Augustini** » Mon, 20. Nov 06, 13:47

Ahhh.... i didn't notice that the thread was more than a year old!

Vitez · Post by **Vitez** » Sun, 26. Nov 06, 17:28

May I ask that what does that M mean (example: Radeon X600(M)) here: http://forum3.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=94506

pjknibbs · Post by **pjknibbs** » Sun, 26. Nov 06, 17:50

M would be "mobile"--e.g. what you'd find in a laptop.

Vitez · Post by **Vitez** » Sun, 26. Nov 06, 18:28

thanks

Dantrithor · Post by **Dantrithor** » Tue, 2. Jan 07, 23:31

Hi, i apologize if this has been asked before, but by searching in forums i found like... 400 messages, most without a (clear) answer to this.

Im buying a new computer in a few weeks, and i was wondering if the ATI Radeon X1300 Pro (256 Mb DDR2) would work well in a computer with 1Gb RAM and a core 2 duo E6600 (2,4 Ghz) with X3: Reunion.

I cant use any benchmark programs right now as i dont have the PC or have any friend with a similar PC configuration, and i suppose the low quality video card would be the bottleneck, but if it works... I have a limited ammount of money for the graphic card, so if anyone has another idea about it, for a graphic card which would suit X3 needs, i would be pleased to read it, as it might make me change my mind about that choose. (it costs about 75 Eur, and more than 100 is not acceptable actually)

Thanks!

====== EDIT ======
Ouch! I didnt notice about the line: Radeon X1xx0 9.0 3.0 3.0
In the requirements post, sorry. Anyway, if anyone thinks there is a graphic card which would be better for that price, id like to read it

gunman127 · Post by **gunman127** » Wed, 3. Jan 07, 00:04

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... =GX-025-BG

Enjoy.

gaiamark · Post by **gaiamark** » Wed, 3. Jan 07, 19:40

Yep. I second the 7600 series. I upgraded from a 5200FX to a 7600GS, and I can now play the game on max resolution, full settings, and it runs like a dream :] I bought the card used for $75 USD.

Post by **CBJ** » Thu, 4. Jan 07, 00:23

Dantrithor wrote:Im buying a new computer in a few weeks, and i was wondering if the ATI Radeon X1300 Pro (256 Mb DDR2) would work well in a computer with 1Gb RAM and a core 2 duo E6600 (2,4 Ghz) with X3: Reunion.

In a word: don't. If you buy a budget card, which that most certainly is, then you will get budget performance. It would be a real shame to hobble a decent CPU with a really bad graphics card.

Dantrithor wrote:I have a limited ammount of money for the graphic card, so if anyone has another idea about it, for a graphic card which would suit X3 needs, i would be pleased to read it, as it might make me change my mind about that choose. (it costs about 75 Eur, and more than 100 is not acceptable actually)

Then perhaps you should adjust your priorities a little. The Core 2 Duo E6400 is a very good processor and overclocks well, and the money you save getting that instead of the E6600 could go to getting a graphics card that is actually worth buying. Spending less than about 150€ on a graphics card is a false economy as it will not play newer games well and you will almost certainly end up being forced to replace it sooner than if you bought a mid-range card. The 7600GT linked by gunman127 is a decent option.

Dantrithor · Post by **Dantrithor** » Fri, 5. Jan 07, 22:08

The thing is that i was going to wait a while to get the decent card, after buying the "whole" computer, as i urgently need to upgrade this celeron 400Mhz for my studies, but i saw the chance now with the posibility of getting some more money of getting a better card.
I suppose i will finally buy the 7600 GT if i manage to get the computer bought by january, but i got a problem.

I cant buy it from internet, and i saw 2 7600GT in the pcbox franchise with that name, and im not sure about the differences (apart from the 20 Eur difference):

SVGA 256MB POINTOFVIEW 7600GT PCX
SVGA 256MB XFX 7600GT PCX SLI DDR3 DVI

It looks like both have the same technical characteristics, so im wondering why the first is 20 Eur cheaper than the latter one, as i dont know if the "pointofview" and "XFX" is a distributor name, or what it is.

And i saw this, for same price as the first one up there (the cheap one):
SVGA 512MB POINTOFVIEW 7600GS PCX SLI
SVGA 512MB XFX 7600GS SLI PAS PCX

Would that double ammount of memory worth the reduction of core and memory speed?

The processor is a must, i want that cache, as it has more than the 6400 and below, and i will get in an Asus P5B motherboard for overclocking the 6600 (saw some good results).

Thanks

gunman127 · Post by **gunman127** » Fri, 5. Jan 07, 23:48

Always go for the faster memory on a graphics card, unless its less than 64MB, but there aren't any modern cards with that little that I can think of. (Don't mention Matrox!!)

256MB of GDDR3 will trump 512MB of DDR2 anyday, and any size DDR is just a joke nowadays.

Post by **CBJ** » Sat, 6. Jan 07, 01:20

PointOfView and XFX are brand names. The first is a budget brand, the second tends to go for the higher end of the market with overclocked cards and so on. Personally I'd go for the XFX as they have a pretty good reputation, but if that 20€ makes a big difference to you then don't hesitate to get the cheaper model.

The 7600GT is faster than the 7600GS. Don't be fooled by the extra memory. In fact the price gives this away: with graphics cards you generally get what you pay for.

The E6600 is certainly a good processor but you should think why you need the extra cache and whether it really makes sense to skimp on the graphics card in order to get the processor you want. If the graphics card is temporary then by all means get something cheap - in fact if you plan to replace it in the next 12 months or so then why not go for something a little older such as a 6600GT, maybe even a second-hand one, and leave more cash in the pot for the next card?

BugMeister · Post by **BugMeister** » Wed, 10. Jan 07, 00:17

- if you're talking AGP cards, then..

the 7600GT(256mb) has DDR3, a memory clock speed of 1400MHz and a core clock speed of 560MHz

the 7600GS(512mb) has DDR2, a memory clock speed of 800MHz and a core clock speed of 400MHz
( ..though some are over-clocked to 420MHz)

- there's a noticeable difference in performance..

Ecthelion · Post by **Ecthelion** » Wed, 10. Jan 07, 14:40

I just want to second what CBJ and BugMeister said. It's a shame that gamers get fooled into thinking memory is the most important factor for a video card. The truth is, more memory helps a PC far more than it does a video card. It's just one piece of the puzzle, and more memory in a cheaper card means worse performance.

simonnance · Post by **simonnance** » Wed, 10. Jan 07, 15:21

The X1950Pro is the best budget graphics card out there atm IMO. I grabbed one of a little under £130 inc VAT from OCUK on offer! Will beat the pants off my old X800XT PE!

DDM_Reaper20 · Post by **DDM_Reaper20** » Thu, 25. Jan 07, 15:17

simonnance wrote:The X1950Pro is the best budget graphics card out there atm IMO. I grabbed one of a little under £130 inc VAT from OCUK on offer! Will beat the pants off my old X800XT PE!

Wohoo! Definitely.

X1950Pro is a very good card, and very affordable, too.

Cheers! Let us know how the game handles with your setup . . . once my computer's finished, it'll be close (E6600 w. 2GB RAM (DDR2-667) & X1900XT).

The_Mess · Post by **The_Mess** » Sun, 28. Jan 07, 04:06

Quick question...

I can get either a 7600GS or a GT, the main problem is that my system is "old" i.e. AMD64 +3400, 1 gig DDR 400 and AGP for graphics.

The question is, is it worth getting a 7600GT with this set up? The gaming lifespan of it's aimed to last another 2 or so years until I can cough up NZ$2000 for a more current mid-range rig.

The 7600GS is more attractive due to it being about $60 cheaper and the passive cooling.

The_Abyss · Post by **The_Abyss** » Sun, 28. Jan 07, 10:26

What have you got at the moment?

The_Mess · Post by **The_Mess** » Sun, 28. Jan 07, 12:27

FX5600, complete with a dead fan and the odd graphical errors.

Maximum476 · Post by **Maximum476** » Sun, 28. Jan 07, 12:50

Yes you would definately benefit from getting one of those cards, the 5600 is very outdated and under performing now.