ATI vs nVidia :)

GEC: Discuss gaming, computers and electronics and venture into the bizarre world of STGODs.

Moderator: Thanas

Post Reply
User avatar
GoldenFalcon
Jedi Knight
Posts: 551
Joined: 2004-03-01 11:08pm
Location: Busy practicing with a bokken, come near me and I'll whack you with it.

ATI vs nVidia :)

Post by GoldenFalcon »

Which has the better brand, and why?

Reason I'm asking is, since my tryout of Linux, I'm going to be as bold as building my own PC next. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Babylon 5: In the Beginning quote:

General Lefcourt: "My people can handle themselves. We took care of the Dilgar. We can take care of the Minbari."
Londo Mollari: "Ahh, arrogance and stupidity all in the same package. How efficient of you."


Coming soon: Firebird Productions
User avatar
McC
Rabid Monkey
Posts: 2775
Joined: 2004-01-11 02:47pm
Location: Southeastern MA, USA
Contact:

Post by McC »

I honestly can't answer this question in any meaningful, scientific fashion, but all my video cards have always been nVidia, and they've always been top-notch.
-Ryan McClure-
Scaper - Browncoat - Warsie (semi-movie purist) - Colonial - TNG/DS9-era Trekker - Hero || BOTM - Maniac || Antireligious naturalist
User avatar
Pu-239
Sith Marauder
Posts: 4727
Joined: 2002-10-21 08:44am
Location: Fake Virginia

Post by Pu-239 »

nVidia- vastly better linux (and windows) drivers, plus x86_64 Linux driver support *now*.

ah.....the path to happiness is revision of dreams and not fulfillment... -SWPIGWANG
Sufficient Googling is indistinguishable from knowledge -somebody
Anything worth the cost of a missile, which can be located on the battlefield, will be shot at with missiles. If the US military is involved, then things, which are not worth the cost if a missile will also be shot at with missiles. -Sea Skimmer


George Bush makes freedom sound like a giant robot that breaks down a lot. -Darth Raptor
User avatar
Arthur_Tuxedo
Sith Acolyte
Posts: 5637
Joined: 2002-07-23 03:28am
Location: San Francisco, California

Post by Arthur_Tuxedo »

Nvidia. Last round, ATI cleaned their clocks, but for the newest generation of cards, Nvidia's cards are improving with new drivers at a faster rate than ATI's, they have a more complete feature set, and they just announced some incredibly kickass cards in the $200 range (the 6600 series), while ATI can only counter with the craptastic X600 series, which are just 9600 XTs with higher clock speeds and no significant changes.
"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark." - Muhammad Ali

"Dating is not supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be a heart-pounding, stomach-wrenching, gut-churning exercise in pitting your fear of rejection and public humiliation against your desire to find a mate. Enjoy." - Darth Wong
User avatar
Terr Fangbite
Padawan Learner
Posts: 363
Joined: 2004-07-08 12:21am

Post by Terr Fangbite »

I've always found ATI to pack more punch for the dollar, but if you're going to linux going with nvidia might be better, since every ATI card i have linux working with has the same "bug" i.e. the graphics don't start unless i move my mouse around when the GUI starts running.
Beware Windows. Linux Comes.
http://ammtb.keenspace.com
User avatar
Vendetta
Emperor's Hand
Posts: 10895
Joined: 2002-07-07 04:57pm
Location: Sheffield, UK

Post by Vendetta »

ATi keep promising better OpenGL support, but haven't delivered it so far.

Until they do, their cards will run like cock in Linux.
User avatar
Einhander Sn0m4n
Insane Railgunner
Posts: 18630
Joined: 2002-10-01 05:51am
Location: Louisiana... or Dagobah. You know, where Yoda lives.

Post by Einhander Sn0m4n »

Agh, this old Holy War again!?


I've always used nVidia, so my opinion is hopelessly biased. They're good, just make sure you don't get an MX...
Image Image
User avatar
Praxis
Sith Acolyte
Posts: 6012
Joined: 2002-12-22 04:02pm
Contact:

Post by Praxis »

Depends.

NVidia has better drivers. I think NVidia also supplies the lowest priced 128 MB, DirectX 9 card, though the chip itself (Geforce FX 5200) only is barely faster than it's predecessor, the Geforce 4, in actual speed.
The high end Geforce FX Ultras suck really bad. I mean they really suck, power ;)
They take a lot of power, have a fan that is actually louder than some leaf blowers, and take up two slots.

With the exception of the new gen cards that just came out, ATI made the better high end card (Radeon 9800XT cost the same as the Geforce FX 5950 Ultra, but is half the size, less noisy, and takes less power).

With the new generation cards, NVidia and ATi are neck to neck (6800 vs X800) for high end (though we have the driver advantage of the NVidia) and with the low end, NVidia ownz, with the 6600 GT for $199 that whups the pants off the Radeon 9800 XT.
User avatar
Praxis
Sith Acolyte
Posts: 6012
Joined: 2002-12-22 04:02pm
Contact:

Re: ATI vs nVidia :)

Post by Praxis »

GoldenFalcon wrote: Reason I'm asking is, since my tryout of Linux, I'm going to be as bold as building my own PC next.
Get a motherboard with PCIe, and get a $199 Geforce 6600 GT. It'll smack down your buddies with $500 Radeon 9800 XT's, and you can buy a second one if you really crave speed ;)
User avatar
Shinova
Emperor's Hand
Posts: 10193
Joined: 2002-10-03 08:53pm
Location: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Post by Shinova »

I have an Nvidia and it's done me good since the beginning.


But anyway, the other guys pretty much have it down. ATI's cards also have problems with many graphical applications, but traditionally have been better for gaming.

But it's neck to neck for this generation, as they've said.
What's her bust size!?

It's over NINE THOUSAAAAAAAAAAND!!!!!!!!!
Post Reply