Out with the old, in with the new
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m getting a new system to support the next generation (and hopefully beyond) of computer games.
Well, the video card I had originally ordered (the nVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra Express, 256MB DDR3) is hopelessly backordered, so in the interest of getting my computer before Half-Life 2 comes out (not to mention actually enjoying my copy of Doom 3), I’ve jumped ships.
Yes, that’s right folks, I have gone over to “the dark side”. (Perhaps I should have mentioned ATI vs. nVidia in the geek debates I wrote about earlier today.)
I had originally selected the nVidia card because of its more robust support for OpenGL-based games and a preference (familiarity?) with the Detonator/ForceWare driver line. I knew the ATI card would have a slight performance advantage for most DirectX games, but I figured that the OpenGL-based Doom 3, Quake 4, and games from iD licensees would likely be the games I’d be more into. Plus, I have heard horror stories about some of my favorite games that I’ve played effortlessly on my nVidia hardware being, to use a polite euphemism, less than 100% compatible with the Catalyst drivers for ATI cards.
However, Desiree’s (admittedly old-ish) nVidia 4600Ti recently conked out on her, causing random intermittent reboots. (Driver problems were ruled out and the problem stopped when the card was replaced with an older one.) Plus, while Doom 3 is by all accounts impressive as a technology display (I wouldn’t know - I use a 4600Ti currently as well), most reviewers have not given it high marks for gameplay.
My decision was made easier by the fact that I’ve found fun in some unexpected places - I have really been playing a lot of Joint Ops - and I realized that a good game can come from anywhere, not just an iD licensee. Most developers are going to opt to use DirectX due to the low barriers to entry. While OpenGL is technically superior (never doubt the Carmack when it comes to 3D programming), Microsoft is continually making it more and more compelling (and easy) to use DirectX - especially when you’re not trying to crank out the extreme performance of an FPS because you’re making games in other genres I like just as much, like RTSs and MMORPGs.
And, oh yeah, Half-Life 2.
So my new baby will be sporting an ATI Radeon x800 XT PCI-Express, 256MB DDR3. I guess it was time for a change!
September 21st, 2004 at 5:03 pm
Anger abounds. I just upped to a 9800 Pro that I’ll have probably until death. Came from a Ti4200 and the jump is quite nice. You should enjoy the x800 quite a lot.
September 22nd, 2004 at 2:02 pm
No problems whatsoever with my 9800 pro. It’s been in service for over a year.
September 22nd, 2004 at 4:15 pm
Thanks guys, that’s good to hear. I’m still a little skeptical about the quality of the Catalyst drivers, but if you guys haven’t had problems, then that’s a good sign.
I’m looking forward to putting the new card through its paces - I should get it late next week or early the week after.
September 22nd, 2004 at 4:38 pm
As you already know, I’ve been using ATI for 2 to 3 years now (since back in the time when nVidia was lagging behind… the last nVidia card I bought was a GeForce3).
I think I had one problem with AO way back when I originally got my 9700 pro, but that was eventually fixed. Other than that, I haven’t had a problem with any games so far, and Doom 3 works quite nice on my (upgraded early this year) 9800 XT.
I won’t go so far as to say one is better than the other, especially since I haven’t tried any modern nVidia’s firsthand, but I have had no complaints with my ATI, and the catalyst drivers seem to have improved significantly in the last 3 years.