Neori

Hopefully very soon here I'm about to move into the modern age with a video card that can actually handle the graphics technology used in current games (i.e. DirectX 9.x). I've been using an old GeForce4 MX440 card, and a little after I got it, I found out that it really isn't all that good... but I just haven't had money to get anything newer/better.

A while back, when EQ first got the target rings added, there were problems with certain video cards working with EQ. Namely, ATI-based cards that either could not display the ring or would display it oddly. Or so I heard from numerous sources. And not so long ago, I read somewhere on here that a more recent version of the GeForce video drivers was causing some texture display problems in EQ.

So right now I'm on the fence about what video card to upgrade to, given a limited budget (and probably under $150ish). I'm looking to get something worth the money, that will last a little while at least, and also doesn't have too many problems these days. Does anyone know of any problems with ATI cards in DirectX9 games, like EQ? Or any problems with any GeForce cards? I'm trying to skip the "budget" SE, LE, non-Ultra types of cards, but would love some advice on what to shoot for.

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Mersia Angelis - 55 mage
Neori Willowwhisper - 55 druid
Miane Thistlemere - 52 ranger
Mandayilie D'Seet - 51 enchanter
Kinyrae F`Lorn - 54 necromancer
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Former Guildmistress of Angelfire Glory - Tunare server

Aramil Dannodel

Well, Neori, I'll be perfectly honest with you...I run a GeForce 2 MX/MX400, as I have been for the past two years (haven't had the opportunity to upgrade, yet...but that's mostly because I made the mistake of buying a pre-built system, so I'm just making a new one from scratch, once I get the money), and I know precisely how you feel.

Although my strongest guess is that you aren't Canadian, I would suggest stopping by at NCIX.com and browsing a little bit, there.

I, personally, would recommend looking into ATI's products, but that comes from the fact that most of NVidia's mediocre and lower-end quality products are all fairly close to the same, where as ATI's tends to be a better buy for your money. And also, because I've always liked ATI more, since I've mostly only had problems with NVidia, in the past. If anything, I would recommend the following model: ATI RADEON 9200 128MB DDR AGP8X W/ TV OUT RETAIL BOX. This one, specifically, ships from their site for $142.03 in Canadian funds (plus shipping, of course, which generally isn't much for a two-pound product), and I know that prices in American funds are usually significantly cheaper.

/shrug Just thought I'd let that hinge for you. I hope someone else can give you better insight, if they have any for you.

Ameril Dan`nodel
Warder, 57th season
[ Lanys T`Vyl server ]
Bitch at Amiez!! -- in the words of Spleen.

Mogur

I got my Radeon 9600 Pro for about $135 American including shipping. I have very few video related problems running EQ. No, I can't run shadows (lol), but neither can systems costing 3 times what mine did! I can run pretty much everything else maxxed out. I don't think there is any "perfect card" that runs EQ with no problems at all. More important then a top of the line video card or CPU is RAM! Put as much as you can in. 512 meg is a puny minimum that will always cause problems. 1 gig is much better. If I had a MoBo that would support it, I'd run 2 gigs!

Neori

Mogur:

I know what you mean about the rest, the CPU and memory. From my experience, there are three major bottlenecks in a system: CPU, RAM, and video. It varies by application as to which is the most important, and some games that use a lot of AI calculations need the CPU and RAM more than video power. But right now I'm after something that will give me a better framerate, since what I currently have is really hurting my eyes.

Aramil:

I've been seriously looking at ATI's Radeon 9600 to 9800 line, and I'm leaning towards a Radeon 9600XT 256MB one that I found for about $140 (plus whatever tax and shipping). A lot of the benchmarks on Tom's Hardware Guide show that most of the 9600+ ATI cards area lot more powerful than similarly-priced Nvidia cards and only get out-performed by the really top of the line stuff, like the GeForce 6800... which I can only afford in my dreams. I still have a few days before I can make any purchase, so I'm still analyzing the choices.

Weskat

I am running a 9600 XT 256Mb with AMD 2700+ and 1Gig of memory with no problems, just a small bit of lag in the bazaar/middle of an MGB party during primetime in PoK. No shadows (just like Mogur), but I haven't talked to anyone that is able to run with shadows on.

My personal choice is ATI due to two bad experiences with nVidia. Though I know several people that will not use ATI due to bad experiences.
Looks like you are doing your homework I would suggest checking Pricewatch for lowest pricing, just be careful with some of the companies that sell there as not all the companies are very reliable. Again, my personal preference is NewEgg as they have reasonable prices and I have always had very good to excellent service from them.

Good luck in your search.

Weskat

Taleisin

Don't be fooled!, EQ (and EQ2 ) is ment to run on Nvidia based cards. I haven't looked up prices yet, but I will, and will edit this post in the morning.

+ the best Nvidia driver for EQ1 is currently the 61.76 download page

( my shadows are just fine, in EQ1 and EQ2, currently running GeForce FX 5700LE )