Video Card Confusion

DiscoZombie

<div class="IPBDescription">these topics confuse me :></div> so as I've said in like 3 places already, I just ordered a new computer, with a Radeon 9600 Pro all-in-wonder. I wanted to go with the 9800 but it's almost twice the price so I figured I'd wait it out and go with the 9600 for now. I learned about the 9600 XT too late to choose it instead...

anyway, I guess my only questions are:
<ul>
<li>how dumb was my choice (to go with the 9600 pro)
<li>what exactly is the difference between an 'all-in-wonder' and a regular card?
<li>which card(s) come with the voucher for HL2, and is it only when ordered from the manufacturer or whut? :>
</ul>
I'll post more of my confusions as they come up...
(edit: housekeeping)

Spooge

Near as I can tell, you weren't dumb to pick the 9600pro.
The all-in-wonder cards are video and tv-tuner cards together on one board.
If whatever you ordered didn't mention that you were getting the HL2 voucher, you probably won't get one.

BTW, the major difference between the 9600pro and the 9600XT is:
1. 100mhz faster default core clock speed.
2. A capacitor (I think <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> ) on the board which, when using the Overdrive CAT Drivers, automatically adjusts the core speed based on usage and temperature.

Other than that, the cards are the same. Hence the similar price.

DiscoZombie

wow, fast and informative answer, thanks Spooge <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

Smoke_Nova

I hate you.


I have an FX5200.


Oh yeah, XT automatically overclocks if it is safe to do so, but if there is a sudden surge it might blow it whereas the 9600 doesn't OC and is therefore "safe".

and no, HL2 voucher is not included if they don't mention it.

DiscoZombie

I'm thinking of returning my 9600 pro as soon as it comes, and going out and buying a 9600 xt somewhere that's doing the HL deal :> automatically overclocking = just what I need, considering I'm too n00b to risk it myself.

AgentOrange

<!--QuoteBegin--Smoke Nova+Nov 21 2003, 04:28 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Smoke Nova @ Nov 21 2003, 04:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I hate you.


I have an FX5200.
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Me too, wanna form a support group together?


It's not THAT bad but...I only say that because it's totaly my first machine that can RUN things.

Cereal_KillR

<!--QuoteBegin--DiscoZombie+Nov 21 2003, 11:47 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DiscoZombie @ Nov 21 2003, 11:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm thinking of returning my 9600 pro as soon as it comes, and going out and buying a 9600 xt somewhere that's doing the HL deal :> automatically overclocking = just what I need, considering I'm too n00b to risk it myself. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
well it all depends if you're going to use the extras of the All-in-Wonder. (tv tuner and video in+out, DVI)

If it's a pre-made computer, you'd usually lose the guarantee of the whole comp along if you do change it.