gf6200 vs. radeon 9600/9550

[JonTom]

Need some advice about which video card to get. My priorites are:
A) fanless,
B) dual head, at least one DVI,
C) cheap.
Gaming is not a priority - I currently have a GF3 ti200. I'd like to see an improvement on that, but I'm not paying much to get it, and I'm okay with little improvement.

This card will (for now) go into my main workstation/sage server (no tv hookup) and be used for office apps, some tv on monitor watching, and the very occasional game. At some point, I would likely move it into my HTPC to be, which does not yet exist...

The cards I've found are a GF6200, a R9550, and a R9600.

The GF6200: 256mb RAM @ 64 bit interface $128CAD
The R9550: 256mb RAM @ 128 bit interface $112CAD
The R9600: 256mb RAM @ 128 bit interface $125CAD

As I understand it, the GF6200 may offer the best VMR9/NVDVD experience - is this true @ 64 bit or only 128bit? The other two will likely give better game performance, and are cheaper - how will they compare in SageTV once I move the card to my HTPC? I really wanted this to be an $80 card like a GF5200, but it seems that would only give me dual head and no other improvements...

Thanks and I'll look forward to some suggestions!

[korben_dallas]

256MB ram on the 9550 seems like overkill to me.. 128MB version would do fine for normal HTPC stuff.

If you will be running to HDTV, and at high resolution, then you probably want the 6200.

Is that a 9600 or 9600Pro? I had the Pro, great gaming card.

[JonTom]

1 - Can't find the 128mb in stock
2 - Don't have an HDTV yet, probably won't for a while. Do have a nice SD Sony, PQ is important.
3 - 9600NP - can't find 9600Pro fanless.

Would a 64bit memory interface matter for HTPC use, at SD resolutions? I can find ATIs at 64bit for cheaper if it won't matter...

[korben_dallas]

How about this one:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=322256

better pictures here: http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...NC-overturesmx

[crasch]

If you are doing SDTV (S-Video or Composite) I'd go ATI. I have both 9800 & 9600 and they are much sharper with standandard TV compared to my 6660. I heard alot of good things with nVidia with HDTV's (DVI, HDMI, or Component) with the PureVideo doing its HD Video post processing, custom timings and custom resolutions. My HDTV should be coming in soon so I will be able to test which one is better for HDTV.

[JonTom]

Thanks for suggestions. I'm now looking at ebay for an ati card - pricing is much better for 'outdated' cards there than at my local b&m store.

Can anyone comment on the effect of 64bit vs 128bit memory on Sage use?

[Wheemer]

I have directly compared a 9800pro to my FX 5500 and it was completely evident that the Geforce card produced a sharper image... I've also read many other people agreeing that the tv-out on the nvidia boards was superior to the ati.

[PGPfan]

The one to get (IMHO) is the Nvidia 6200A , not the regular 6200. The difference? From your post, I guessing this will be for an AGP bus right? Disregard if you are using pci-e. The Nvidia chipset (NV43) on the normal 6200 is actually a pci-e chipset that has another 'bridge' chip added to make it work over the AGP bus. The downside for both the consumer and manufacturer is that this additional chip increases the cost of manufacture (more parts, more money). This board is supposed to be a budget design, remember.

The manufacturers pressured Nvidia to create a 'true' AGP chipset which they did, called the NV44a. This chipset doesn't need the bridge chip to work over AGP, and as a result is set to RETAIL at $79.00!!

It will provide ALL the functions of todays 6200, but with a much lower price and it is a true FANLESS design from the start. It should start to show up on stores shelves in the next few weeks. Reference designs by several manufacturers were shown at CeBit this year.

-PGPfan