How about an ATI 9600XT (128MB)?

[CanadianEh]

Hey everyone,

I'm thinking of dumping my 64MB GeForce 4 440MX card in favor of something that's not going to tear when using VMR9. I've been using overlay for a while, but the picture seems blurry, and if I Change the horizontal aspect ratio setting above 100%, the picture snaps to a smaller window until I go back out to windows and stretch it back out using the nvidia driver settings.

Will I be happy with a 9600XT? What is the optimal resolution to set it to if hooking it up to regular 4x3 TV using S-Video?

As far as codecs, I'm using the NVDVD 2.55 still. Anything else seems to act weird in overlay mode.

Thanks!
-Jason

Edit: .... or would a 9800 Pro or XT be a better choice??

[kny3twalker]

you should be fine but if you ever move to an HDTV you will get stutters
might be easier to buy a 9800 PRO (ATI made) or wait until the 6600 GT and X700XT are released for AGP (if they are ever)
if you do not want to drop that much cash I can get my FX 5200 to render fine with nvDVD and VMR9 to an SDTV
it has dropped frames but it is so rare
I believe it was the file
sometimes my DirecTV has glitches (and they get recorded too)
but I personally would go with a faster card so it has a longer life

the 9800 XT is not worth the extra cash for the small performance boost and Half Life 2

[lotusvball]

I am currently using the 9600XT my pq is fine. I have VMR9 running. S-Video connection.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by CanadianEh

What is the optimal resolution to set it to if hooking it up to regular 4x3 TV using S-Video?

Try 720x480 60Hz, in Sage, try Fill AR, with Zoom set to 100% H and V and 0 offset.

[CanadianEh]

Cool... So, BestBuy has the 9600XT on sale this weekend for $150.. the 9800Pro is at $249.. hmm...

In about a year or so, I do want to purchase an HDTV.... should I purchase one of these 9600XT's now and know I'll need to buy a new one with the new TV next summer? Also, for $100 more, does it make sense to go with the 9800Pro... will I get any better of a picture quality? If the answer is yes, I'll probably do it... My goal is perfect picture quality

[kny3twalker]

yeah I would not buy a 9800 PRO for 249
Frey's has been selling them for under 200 for a while
I would at least make Best Buy price match
I am sure you could find an ATI made one online for much less
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=320741
that was one of the cheapest prices I could find with free shipping
so close to that but lot less than 249+tax
X700XT and 6600GT will both be 199 retail

oh and one more
http://www.adosystems.net/ati9800pro.html
205 with free shipping but I have no idea who they are
and one more to consider since the one above not the greatest rating
http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts...35002&REFID=PW
209 with free shipping

[salsbst]

Originally Posted by CanadianEh

Cool... So, BestBuy has the 9600XT on sale this weekend for $150.. the 9800Pro is at $249.. hmm...

In about a year or so, I do want to purchase an HDTV.... should I purchase one of these 9600XT's now and know I'll need to buy a new one with the new TV next summer? Also, for $100 more, does it make sense to go with the 9800Pro... will I get any better of a picture quality? If the answer is yes, I'll probably do it... My goal is perfect picture quality

You should be ok with a 9600 at 720x480i -- get it now. The state of the art will have changed by next summer.

[kny3twalker]

You should be ok with a 9600 at 720x480i -- get it now. The state of the art will have changed by next summer.

I agree but then I would probably not waste the extra for the XT unless you just want Half Life 2
I would look at maybe a plain jane 9600

[salsbst]

Yes, I have a 9600 non-pro and it can just barely do 1080i in VMR with no tearing in my machine. At 480i it will be a snap.

[rich_l]

ive got the 9600xt ultimate....passive cooling so no noise at all. Havent had any problems so far. Its only an extra $10 from new egg(157 total) compared to best buy.

Search for the sapphire tech 9600xt at newegg. Plays doom3 at medium settings and more than likely will play half life 2

[stanger89]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...125-142&depa=0

Of course if you want one, they're actually in stock here