5700 or 9100

[bklevan]

Im stuck in a situation... should i buy the visiontek 9100 pci or the geforce 5700 pci card? (they are both 128MB)

[CaptNKILL]

the 5700 should be better, im not positive though.

Do you know if the memory on either is 128bit or 64bit?

[bklevan]

they are both 128 bit

[msxyz]

A 9100 is a rebranded 8500 with lower clocks. (Most of them used 5ns RAM)

It all depends on how is clocked that 5700. If it follows NVidia raccomandations (3.6nS RAM, core 400 MHz or higher) then it's a better product. If the 5700 is really a "LE" variant (with 5nS RAM and a 250 MHz core) then the 9100 might still have an edge.

Remember, though, that the 5700 is a full SM2.0 card while the 9100 still uses sm 1.4

[bklevan]

here's the 5700 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-140-041&depa=1)

now can you tell me which one is better?

[superklye]

APOLLO nVIDIA GeForce FX5700LE Video Card, 128MB DDR, DVI/TV Out, PCI Model "BLOODY MONSTER 3 GEFORCE FX 5700" -RETAIL

Model# BLOODY MONSTER 5700
Item # N82E16814140041

Specifications:
Chipset: nVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE
Memory: 128MB DDR
BUS: PCI
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out(S-Video) + DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9, OpenGL 1.5
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Cable/Accessories: S-Video Cable, Drivers
Retail Box (See pics for details)

It all depends on how is clocked that 5700. If it follows NVidia raccomandations (3.6nS RAM, core 400 MHz or higher) then it's a better product. If the 5700 is really a "LE" variant (with 5nS RAM and a 250 MHz core) then the 9100 might still have an edge.

[mustrum]

5700 i'd say. The 9100 is a very old ATI chip (based on 8500 i think). It was good a few years ago but now it's just outdated.
Why don't you save a bit more up and get a 9800 PRO.
You also could get an used 9700 PRO. It's better than both and should be available on ebay for a reasonable price.

[AthlonXP1800]

5700 i'd say. The 9100 is a very old ATI chip (based on 8500 i think). It was good a few years ago but now it's just outdated.
Why don't you save a bit more up and get a 9800 PRO.
You also could get an used 9700 PRO. It's better than both and should be available on ebay for a reasonable price.

bklevan is stuck with PCI slots, it does not have AGP slot, anyway Geforce 5700 PCI is the only way to do it and ATI never made 9800 Pro and 9700 Pro PCI cards.

[anzak]

5700 i'd say. The 9100 is a very old ATI chip (based on 8500 i think). It was good a few years ago but now it's just outdated.
Why don't you save a bit more up and get a 9800 PRO.
You also could get an used 9700 PRO. It's better than both and should be available on ebay for a reasonable price.

PCI only!

The R200 and R250 has a lot of bugs with newer games. Between the two I would say the 5700LE only because of better driver support. Just don't expect to play most games at anything higher than 800x600. Also get use to your FPS dropping into the single digits because it's framebuffer is not able to cope. I know, I have a 5200 PCI in my linux box. What I really recommend is that you buy a cheap mobo and AGP card.

[mustrum]

bklevan is stuck with PCI slots, it does not have AGP slot, anyway Geforce 5700 PCI is the only way to do it and ATI never made 9800 Pro and 9700 Pro PCI cards.
Bah! I overread that. :lame:
The he's in trouble though since niether of both cards will perform good enough for smooth gameplay in actual games.

[THE VIKING]

I would go for the FX 5700 unless its an LE model.

[bklevan]

does anyone know where i can get some diagrams and schmatics of the AGP slot? i also need some information on how the agp slot works with the processor... any help is appreciated!

[anzak]

does anyone know where i can get some diagrams and schmatics of the AGP slot? i also need some information on how the agp slot works with the processor... any help is appreciated!

Why? Im just curious.

[AthlonXP1800]

does anyone know where i can get some diagrams and schmatics of the AGP slot? i also need some information on how the agp slot works with the processor... any help is appreciated!

It will be much easier if you able to tell us what brand and model your PC is?

[bklevan]

i have a Dell Dimension 3000 with p4 2.8 processor, 512 MB MEMORY, 3 pci slots, no agp slot.

PS - is there an adapter to plug into a pci slot and then plug an agp card into that adapter?

[CaptNKILL]

i have a Dell Dimension 3000 with p4 2.8 processor, 512 MB MEMORY, 3 pci slots, no agp slot.

PS - is there an adapter to plug into a pci slot and then plug an agp card into that adapter?
No.

Just take a minute to thinking about it, theres no way you could plug a card into an adapter and still have it fit inside the case. The slots in the back of the case have to line up.

That alone tells me theres no such thing.

[tristancarton]

No.
Just take a minute to thinking about it, theres no way you could plug a card into an adapter and still have it fit inside the case. The slots in the back of the case have to line up.
That alone tells me theres no such thing.

There actually is one that was made a long time ago but never released around the states.(impossible to find, not just very very hard to find)

here is a link to it
http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/kapitune/changeAGP.html

If you want more info just do a google search on "agp2pci". Also as a note, videocards will work in computers with or without back brackets as long as their pins are plugged into the correct slot.

Bk, don't even think about trying to find it. It is not available. (it does exist though)

[anzak]

ASRock MicroATX mobo, i845GV Chipset: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-157-037&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Sapphire Radeon 9600 pro: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-291&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Total: $150

[tristancarton]

anzak,
good call. much faster than the 5700le or 9100. in addition this provides huge benefits later on down the road. (agp cards will still be produced for a while)

[bklevan]

Supported CPU: Socket 478 Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott)/Celeron Processor
Chipset: i845GV + ICH5
FSB: 400/533MHz
RAM: 2x DIMM for DDR 266/333 Max 2GB
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X(ASRock A.G.I. 8X), 3x PCI, 1x AMR(Includes AMR 56k Modem)
IDE: 2x ATA 100 up to 4 Devices
Ports: 2x PS/2, 1x LPT, 1xVGA, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 1x RJ45, Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 5.1-Channel AC97 Codec
Onboard Video: Intel Extreme Graphics
Onboard LAN: 10/100Mbps Ethernet
Form Factor: MicroATX

FSB... does this matter?

i have the dimension 3000, everything else is ok but this FSB im not sure about

[aAv7]

I was stuck on a 1.4GHZ system a few years back with only pci slots. I feel your pain. I was playing UT2K3 when it had first come out on a 1600+ AMD and a G2MX200 64MB PCI. I ended up getting the 9100, it was alittle faster, luckily I bought a new 2.66GHZ system with an agp slot in 2003......i've been in your shoes, best thing to do is buy a new mobo with an agp slot. None, and I mean NONE of these pci cards can compare to the stuff on agp. I mean, were moving forward toward pci-e right now, agp is already dating, so sticking it out with a pci slot is rough if you're even a moderate gamer. Get a new mobo and pick up a 9600/9800 Pro.

[bklevan]

anzak, i have one question... the motherboard that you suggested... will that fit into my dimension 3000?

[tiangha]

I'd be more concerned about the fact that Dell uses proprietary Power Supplies and what not (so certain wires in the power connectors to the motherboard may be crossed) which means that a standard ATX motherboard might not work with a Dell power supply (the power supply might break the motherboard).

Would a Radeon 9200 PCI work better in this case? Would it be faster than the 9100 or the FX5700?

[XanderF]

No, the 9200 is much, MUCH slower than the 9100.

And yes, the new mobo to get AGP slots is a better idea, but since it's a Dell, you'll need a new case and PSU, as well. Hopefully your old CPU and HSF for it will work in the new motherboard. Oh, and the memory.

[bklevan]

problem solved guys... i found a dell dimension 4600 motherboard with the agp on ebay... thanks for the help!