Vid Card roundup - Can you help a newbie out?

Good morning Geeks,

I'm trying to decide on a vid card for my budget gaming system (casual gamer). I have narrowed my selection down to 4 ATI Radeon cards that are in my price range.

9600Pro 256MB
9800SE 128MB

at the high end of my range and,

9600Pro 128MB
9600 256MB

at the low end of my range.

There isn't a huge price difference between the top and the bottom ($20-$30) but I would rather not throw money away if the improvement would only be marginal. Also, I notice ATI Radeon cards made by other companies (Saphire, Gigabyte, Asus, etc.). What's the difference in these cards other than the brand name? Thanks in advance.

 

why are you not looking at any nvidia cards

 

My 02 for what its worth
Do not go for an SE card basically the standard edition and not worth jack

Out of those cards listed i would go for the 9600Pro 128MB dont bother with the 256 version you wont gain much at all just a marketing ploy
If you want proof read a review here i know its for the 9800 but its all the same principle
http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030604/radeon_9800-04.html

 

if you were going for a 9600pro 256mb ; just got for a 9600xt 128mb and your set

 

OK, my high end choices, the 9800SE and the 256MB 9600 pro are out. Is the 9600XT worth the price difference over the 9600 pro ($150 to $110)? I am only looking at ATI because I don't have much knowledge about nvidia (not saying I have a lot about ATi either). Do they have something in my range ($100-$130) that would compare favorably?

 

I would definately go with the 9600pro. I just took mine out for a 9800 pro. But the 9600 pro is your best bet. I have mine back in its box.(9600 pro that is)

 

Nvidia have some good offerings around that price-range... but right now im too tired to try and work out the average cost of a decent card in USD, but you can get a pretty decent one for about £70.

Oh and I have a 64MB card and i can play UT2004 perfectly fine. Go figure. Not to mention my particular card overclocks very very well.

 

I would also go with the 9600 Pro 128meg if your just stuck on ATI.