Graphics Cards: The PlanetSide Generation.

[TimberWolf2K]

ATI have just announced they will be releasing 3 new cards at the end of this year.

RADEON 9800
Targeting the ultra-high-end/enthusiast segment, the RADEON 9800 products deliver unequaled performance, features, image quality and stability, which are the key criteria for hardcore gamers everywhere. A 256-bit memory interface and eight powerful pixel pipelines provide the brute force and finesse to deliver real-time, Hollywood-caliber graphics � even for the most demanding next-generation games � and sets it apart from anything on the market. Programmable shader engines, full speed, full floating-point precision and support for the latest Microsoft� DirectX� 9.0 and OpenGL� feature sets ensure games look great even at breakneck speeds. RADEON 9800 products illustrate an important point � you don�t have to sacrifice performance for image quality.

RADEON 9600
Delivering the best product in the enthusiast segment is also crucial to winning mind share in the performance and mainstream segments, which represent large portions of the graphics hardware market. The RADEON 9600 series brings cinematic realism and unprecedented power to the performance segment, where customers are looking for the most advanced features and performance, at a more affordable price. Driven by its full floating point architecture featuring quad pixel pipes and dual vertex engines, the RADEON 9600 series of visual processors deliver amazing performance, full support for the latest Microsoft� DirectX� 9.0 and OpenGL� feature sets and advanced anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering technologies. The first of ATI�s products to be developed using an advanced 130 nanometer production process, the RADEON 9600 products offer an excellent entertainment value.

RADEON 9200
Powered by an advanced quad-pipe rendering architecture, the RADEON 9200 series delivers a dazzling visual experience with the highest performance in its class. With a full suite of performance and image quality-enhancing technologies including full support for the AGP 8X and Microsoft� DirectX� 8.1 standards, and streaming video de-blocking capabilities, features unique in this segment, RADEON 9200-based products deliver sharp, clear graphics and video imagery. RADEON 9200 products offer an unbeatable value, with prices right for the most price-conscious consumer.

CATALYST�
All of ATI�s products, including these newest additions, are supported by CATALYST�, ATI�s unified suite of software. CATALYST includes the only DirectX 9 driver that is Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified, a key criterion for OEMs and corporate customers.

(the fact they have the Windows Quality stamp on their drivers is extremly reasuring to me, I downloaded a set of Geforce drivers for windows XP and they FUBARed my system)

Thanks to Robvmarty of the Offical forums for the links:
ATI

Games-age Forum

Im not biased to one team or the other (Nvidia/ati) but ATI really seems to be owning Nvidia at the moment, their 9700 card dosnt make the GforceFX worth the money and Im sure it dosnt have a 50desabell (loud) Fan on it.

If I remember correctly Dave said that -no one- will be running planetside at Full its maximum detail level for quite some time. Hopefull the Next gen. of Nvidia and ATI cards will give us what we need to crank up the Polygons.

[Destroyeron]

I just got a Nvidia Geforce4 4600 (though they sent me the 8x one....) and my friend has a geforce 3. Right now I have a crappy piece of shit so nvidia is good enough for me, and I haven't heard any problems with their hards.

And who would want a loud fan anyway?

[The Eternal]

Yeah, Nvidia has been getting an ass whiping for a long enough time, that they may end up getting bought out.

[Zatrais]

Why get a FX or a 9800 when the 9700 pro can take everything you throw at it and scream for more? hehe

[Moleculor]

I'm surprised that only a year ago ATI was getting slammed for crappy drivers, and Nvidia was getting praised for having the ultimate in graphics cards, and now the tables are turned and ATI is suddenly top dawg. I wonder what Nvidia is gonna pull outta their sleeve.

[TimberWolf2K]

Hehe the Geforce FX reminds me of the Voodoo 5 and 6, 3DFX (god rest their souls) poured everything into making those 2 super high end cards, to cut a long story short they where too much too soon. everyone was happy enough with the cards they had at the time (it didnt take much to run half-life and quake 3) and no one wanted to part with the �300 and �400 they cost
so 3DFX went bust...poor guys

I think this is whats happening with Nvidia, only they have become complacent with thier market state and tryed to fob us off with the peace of shit they call the FX. hopefuly they will bring out a bigger and better (quiter too) card before Xmas.

[matt]

Well I don't think anyone should be 'crashing' the new cards before they come out based on past cards the respective companies have come out with. They are all good in my opinion. I just go for the best I can get at the time for the amount of money I have.

[OneManArmy]

*cough*Nvidia is pulling a 3dfx *cough* I'd pull my money out of nvidia and into ATI... if you're into that stock market thing

[ABRAXAAS]

well im gonna go pre order my 9800 pro 256mb
as soon as I can

[TheKing]

i have always been a ATI fan i like their software packages alot better than that of Nvidia and i am gonna look into these cards cause they sound awsome.

[Duritz]

Since January 2002 NVidia's stock has dropped from like $70 dollars a share to the $12.50 it's at today.

NVidia's last 5 years in stock prices

BIG drop.