Stevem Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 All, I want to upgrade my video card, which is presently a GF4 Ti 4400 128MB. I'm running a XP Barton 2500, AsusA7N8X-DEL, 1GB DDR400 2x60GB Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 9, Allied 400w PS. I'm a gamer so I want something fast and dual monitor support. I'm looking to spend 200 - 300 bucks. With all the ATI models, plus the new Nvida cards, I'm confussed. Is an AIW ok for games or should I go with a Pro??? Appreciate the help. SteveM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FanATIc205 Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 (edited) the way things are going dont get a nvidia card . with all the driver cheating or optimizing as nvidia calls it. id suggest a 9800nonpro wich can be found for about 280 online and overclock it to 9800pro speeds or as close as you can get it thats going to be your best bet . http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1863 heres a good read on the hl2 benchmark that shows just how good the ati cards are doing not to merntion ati has alot better iq than nvidia aiw adds tv tuner and more multimedia options but the only 2 id suggest are the 9700pro aiw or the 9800pro aiw Edited September 14, 2003 by fanATIc1205 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 I'm a gamer so I want something fast and dual monitor support. that there rules out all the AIW's except the 9600 pro all in wonder. only one with dual head support that doesn't require a tv or a seperate pci card to make it work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mist Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 too bad that ti isnt pci cause u could just run two cards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 found out the hard way that all in wonders can be used with a second vid card. however you can't have a pair of all in wonders (1 pci 1 agp) or even a pci aiw along with a good agp card silly ati fails to mention this problem until you buy an aiw 9800 pro and a aiw ve pci and end up having to email tech support AFTER you get NO video out of anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mist Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 Yeah but he could use say an old mx for his second output and it would cost squat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 very true. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevem Posted September 15, 2003 Posted September 15, 2003 Thanks everyone. I've been running a ATI Wonder VE pci card with my GF4 4400. It does the job, but not very well. That's why I asked about an AIW. I thought I would get everything in one card. The number 1 priority is speed though so if a 9800 is the better way to go, I guess I'll keep the Wonder VE. I do want to run multiple monitors eventually, but right now, it's not a priority. Again, thanks for the info everyone, SteveM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkny1055 Posted September 15, 2003 Posted September 15, 2003 9800NP then flash the bios to make it a 9800PRO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevem Posted September 15, 2003 Posted September 15, 2003 bkny1055 Where do you get the bios....manufacturer's support?? Thanks, Stevem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevem Posted September 15, 2003 Posted September 15, 2003 All, I have one more question... Does anyone know of a link that shows comparison benchmarks between a 9700/9800Pros and 9700/9800 AIWs??? Thanks, SteveM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilMB3017 Posted September 15, 2003 Posted September 15, 2003 In theory, they perform exactly the same in games... The AIW just can have video in and TV tuner and such... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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