Click for 2 card Comparison

ATI Chip Data

Nvidia Chip Data

Now, both of the Hardware Secrets have tutorials to teach you about what the numbers mean, but if here's a super crash course:

The high the numbers the better. The more pixels per clock, higher clock numbers, greater frames per second, memory transfer, whatever. The higher the better. However, IMO, pay attention to the memory interface number. Do not buy a card that has less then 128-bit interface no matter the clock speed or memory amount. Memory interface dictates how fast the card can use the memory.

For instance, a ATI 9200 has a interface of 128-bit, resulting in a 6.4 GB/s memory transfer rate. A Radeon 9600 SE has a faster core clock, yet operates on a 64-bit interface, resulting in a paltry 3.2 GB/s transfer. While the 9600 SE MAY look better due to the higher numbers on some aspects compared to the 9200, it actually will perform significantly worse.

That should take care of about 95% of people's needs.

Hopefully, this can be stick-ied.

Post edited at 2:37 pm on Jan. 4, 2008 by obvious child

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"Well this is new....and scary" - Serena on a Convent Scarab