Graphics Card update

What would come into your mind when people ask you about pc graphics card? Surely you do have some idea as to the type of graphics card available in the market, right? If you don't, do not panic as I am here to help. Just to inform you that I am only going to give you the information as a guidance only.

I have been an ATI fan for ages. I remember using their x1000 series grpahics card for some time: That was before AMD bought over the Canadian company for a large chunk of money. I remember not being happy with the takeover of ATI by AMD but it is inevitable.

I find that ATI cards are cooler and quiter than Nvidia graphics card. However, after the merger of AMD/ATI, Nvidia have retained the crown at high end graphics. Nvidia came out with 5000 series cards, then 6000 series, then 7000 series, followed by 8000 series, 9000 series and now the 260, 280 and 295 cards.

Nvidia seems to regain the title of the best graphics card manufacturer with the release of 295GTX. The card, similar with other graphics cards in its category, will require two molex six pin from the power supply. The card is really fast.

Surely ATI is not going to give up. Their HD4870 with GDDR5 memory set a record with the most stream processor on earth! Not even Nvidia's 295GTX can compete with it based on the number of stream processors - 900 in total!!! What say you?

However, with the release of 295GTX from Nvidia, the company have regained the crown. I am sure that ATI will not give up easily. I still prefer the ATI HD4850 as the price is affordable and the performance is not too bad compared to HD4870.

In a nut shell, if you are thinking of a budget card, go for either the ATI's HD4830 or Nvidia's 9500GT. As for midrange card, go for either ATI's HD4850 or Nvidia's 9600GSO. High end is definitely either ATI's HD4870 or Nvidia's 9800GTX+.