Processor, or Video Card for Gaming?

I was just reading the Thread about AMD vs. Intel Processors for gaming. I recently had asked about video cards and problems with my old/outdated card I am currently using and wondered where these all fit in to the whole thing. So... I realize both are important but which would be MORE important Processor or Video card. For example I currently am running a P4 1.8; 640 MB RAM. I am looking to update my video card.

Also, I want to be able to play "Call of Duty" and found out my video card was outdated and am looking to upgrade to a card that would be useful. I was looking to spend $100 or less, is this wishful thinking or reasonable. If its not likely to be worth it I will just wait about 6-7 months when I buy a new PC.

 

well, in 6 months, your $100 will be able to buy you a better video card than what you can get now for $100.

you my friend have stumbled upon the question that we all ask ourselves everytime we buy a new piece of hardware..."do I get it now, or do I wait and get something better." I guess it depends on how bad you want a new video card now.

 

I kinda need one now... my real question is will the $100 be worth it in the first place. If I need to spend more to make it worthwhile I plan to wait until I buy a new PC when I will upgrade everthing. If I buy a new card now I will still be buying a new PC, so I wouldnt spend more than $100 in the meantime.

 

Well, $100 would get you a pretty decent video card. You may be able to find a Radeon 9600 Pro for that price. Or if you can scrape together about $175, you can get a Radeon 9800 Pro which is practically top of the line and will play any of the newest games. (except for the 9800XT and the brand new X800 Pro)

 

careful there.. a lot of the cheaper 9800 pro's are only 128bit vs 256bit memory bus.

 

Sorry for taking over the post for a second but this is a good time to ask this question. I was looking to get a 9800Pro. I found some cheep deals but i was hesatint of them. Now after reading you post i am thinking they might be the 128bit cards.

Could you tell me what to look for, when going to buy the card. What is the real difference between the 128 and the 256 also?

thanks, and sorry to butt in



cooked

 

If your interested in a Hercules Prophet 9700 pro send me your e-mail address in private message. Always keep the prior card for a back-up, but have a X800XTPE coming and won't need the Prophet.

 

"careful there.. a lot of the cheaper 9800 pro's are only 128bit vs 256bit memory bus."

Well, the Sapphire card that I bought and was talking about in my previous post has a 256-bit memory bus. Or at least that's what Sapphire and Newegg both say. I can't comment on the others, but the card that I linked to is a 256-bit card. (for $175, or $209 at Newegg)

 

Newegg acknowleged a mistake on thier product .. someone else posted about buying a 9800pro from newegg only to find out that it was 128bit bus and that Newegg had made an error in the product description.

128bit bus cuts your memory bandwidth in half.

 

Yeah, I know. But according to Sapphire and the part number on my card, it has a 256-bit memory bus. Also, I didn't get an OEM version like the other guy. Nor did I buy it from Newegg.

PS - Oops, just realized I never posted any links. Here ya go.

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/product.asp?pid=8648&sid=WUQBQ02PXLMB8KQJMVFEMH2VGTDN6QLC

 

Or, the 128-bit memory bus card for $164:

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/product.asp?pid=9032&sid=WUQBQ02PXLMB8KQJMVFEMH2VGTDN6QLC