ATI Radeon 8500 128 meg... any good?

[Guest Hugo]

Someone offers it for sale (used) for about Can$120 (about US$85). Claims it is now sold as a 9200.I will upgrade to FS2004 when available. What do you think? Anything I should query about if I'd go this way?Any good for a futur 17'LCD monitor upgrade? :-)Thanks for any advicesHugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

Are you in Canada? Futureshop had them for $100 after rebates new, don't know if they still do.

[Guest Hugo]

Yes I am from Montreal. I search Futureshop's site. All I found they offer is a 7000 64 meg at $CAN 130.Any idea about the quality of the 8500 128 meg?Hugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

Hmm, guess they don't have it anymore. The 8500 is pretty much as good as the Ti4200 as far as I know, and when they had it for $99 it was a steal. I wouldn't get the 7000 at that price. You may want to try Ebay.

[Guest Hugo]

Thanks Greg for your reply. My understanding of it is that the 8500 is worth to consider. I did checked EBay and there is a couple there with some time left that presently go for around $60US. I'll watch their evolution.... but never played the game!!BTW I like your citation. First time I see it. Well, 2000 years down the lane we are still reinventing the wheel and some more than others it seams.... ;-)Hugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

Thanks Hugo, it's one of my more favourite quotes ;-). The 8500 is definitely something to consider, or say the 9600 Pro if you have a bit more cash which is a lot faster, very overclockable and has DX9 support.

[Guest Hugo]

I think it's a good idea to look for DX9 support. Something I overlooked. But I think you meant 9500. I couldn't find anything about 9600 at EBay, Price Watch or ATI site.It seams to be over my budget which is more around 100-150 $Can. for the time being. But I'm not in a rush as I want it for FS2004 release. By then, prices may fall, my budget may increase or I could win a lottery but then.... Thanks for your help in ANY case ;-)Hugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

No, I did mean the 9600 Pro. Not sure when it'll be out here, but see http://hardocp.com/article.html?art=NDU4http://hardocp.com/article.html?art=NDY0

[Guest Hugo]

Oups! Sorry. It is indeed on ATI site. Shure looks good according to the reviews. At +/-300$CAN it does stretch my present budget a little but by july/august all is possible...Thanks for brigning about the DX9 issue.Hugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

No problem. What's your current system?

[Guest Hugo]

Athlon 1.33 mhz on Abit KT7A, 768 MB PC133 , 40+13 GB HD, GeF2/200MX (!), Win XP Pro. Hope it will be enough for FS2K4 with the new vid. card. I don't know yet if the Mboard is revision 1.3+, in which case I could upgrade the cpu to AMD XP 2000+. Actualy if I can make FS to orerate fluidely with a minimum FR of 15 to 18, 90% of the time, I'd be quite happy :-) Actualy it's about min. 10-12, 80% of the time with FS2K2Hugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

Hugo,I'd consider upgrading your CPU as well, it's really falling behind. Maybe a 2100+ or so and a 9500 or 8500 Pro. Hard to say what the prices will be like in a few months.Reread your inital post, an LCD is not worth it if you have a half decent CRT right now.

[Guest Hugo]

>>I'd consider upgrading your CPU as well, it's really falling>behind. Maybe a 2100+ I do. In my previous post I mentionned it. To upgrade the cpu on my present board it has to be a revision 1.3 type or later to be feasable and to know which revision it is, I have to disassemble the whole system to get access to where the information is printed on. This is not a problem, I built it in october 2001. It's just that I don't feel like doing that NOW :-shyBut one way or the other, I will have to face it one day within the next few months. If needed I'll upgrade the board as well. >Reread your inital post, an LCD is not worth it if you have a>half decent CRT right now.The 17 inch monitor I use is very much decent. But it's quite bulky on the desk top. Hence the LCD idea is more a matter of leaning the system size and not realy to improve the rendering of FS. This project is not a priority. It's something I will look over in the next 12-18 months period. But might as well look for an adequate video card at this point in time. The 9600 fits the bill ok in this perspective? :-)I rarely act on first tought or feeling. After all FS is only a hobby not a necessity. Experience has tought me that in these circomstances, it's better to give a little planning time ahead rather than after. To me, that stands to reasons. Wouldn't you think so Greg ;-)Hugo

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

Sorry for not reading it more closely. Your plans sounds good to me. I think so too. ;-)