alright...where's the 9700

[Deeko]

I'm getting impatient I'm building my new computer before I go to college, but I can't until the 9700 comes out. But I want to have it up and running BEFORE I go...which means if it isn't released by Sept. 10, I have to get a 4600 Any rumors or facts even on when its being released?

 

[Rand]

Well from what I know most places are going to start accepting pre-orders mid-august.
Actual availabilities seems to be expected sometime early to mid september.

According to HardOCP, Best Buy is supposed to have it in stock September 15... but as that's still over a month away the date could easily be bumped forward or back a bit.

I'd say your looking at being right on the deadline for whether it comes out in time for you.
Start praying, because you've probably got an equal chance either way.

 

[Sukhoi]

If your motherboard has integrated video just use that for a bit until the 9700 comes out.

 

[Deeko]

Hmm...that could be rough...no, I don't have integrated video on my board(still between the Asus and Epox KT333 boards), although I may haev a spare TNT2 lying around.

 

[DeepBlueJH]

Heres an even better idea... just get you some cheapo 8 or 16mb video card to put in your computer if its not ready in time. When the 9700 is released, sell the old one and get that

 

[sash1]

Hey, I have a TNT Vanta just lying around, if you want it I can ship it; I've no use for it.

 

[gururu]

use your tnt 2, if it fits the agp slot (my v5 woulnd't meet the 1.5V specification).

the wait is about a month from NOW. you can preorder from some stores now, but it won't arrive till next month.

im in the same istuation. except the i845g chipset is holding down the fort!

good luck

 

[max105]

I would just use your old TNT also. I sold my Radeon VIVO a few weeks ago before the price on it dropped anymore and started using my integ. video. I planned on holding off til the 9700 came out before buying my next video card. I figure I might wait for the 9500, or at least it would drop the prices on the 8500.

 

[butch84]

I would wait for the radeon 9700. However, in the meantime, i would buy a GF4 ti4600 from Best Buy and use it for like 28 days, then return it. Remember Best Buy always gives you 30 days to return something as long as you have the receipt and the box. This way, you could sorta "borrow" a GF4 from Best Buy until the radeon 9700 comes out.

Just my $.02

Butch

 

[Emultra]

But isn't it pretty stupid to buy the 128 MB version when the 256 MB one is coming?

 

[Tennoh]

Originally posted by: Emultra
But isn't it pretty stupid to buy the 128 MB version when the 256 MB one is coming?

I've seen no quotes from ATI stating there would be a 256Mb Radeon 9700 within the near future. The next closest ATI mentioned release would be a slower 9500 for the midrange consumer, and that's presumably around the Oct-Nov time. Chances are that won't have 256Mb either if the whole point of it is price.

 

[Fant]

Buth83, if you use that tactic then theoretically you could just get a new card every 30 days....just keep returning it on the 29th day and go back on the 30th day and get a new one. That way you always have the latest and greatest. Common now dont you feel a little bit guilty about doing this?

 

[Emultra]

I think there's a 256 MB version coming not long after the initial one...

 

[Cuda1447]

Doesn't 256MB seem like overkill to you guys? And I like the idea about "borrowing" a video card.

 

[aswedc]

Hey come on I'm sure you can survive a couple weeks in college without gaming - go make some friends or something The ethics of buying something knowing you'll later return it is kind of questionable, and its one of those things that may not make much of an impact individualy, but if everyone started doing it prices would definately rise. You can grab a 4-8MB AGP video card off eBay for almost nothing (<5) so not like you'll be without a computer.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: butch84
I would wait for the radeon 9700. However, in the meantime, i would buy a GF4 ti4600 from Best Buy and use it for like 28 days, then return it. Remember Best Buy always gives you 30 days to return something as long as you have the receipt and the box. This way, you could sorta "borrow" a GF4 from Best Buy until the radeon 9700 comes out.

Just my $.02

Butch

That definately doesn't seem right to me. Personally I'd just get a GF 4 Ti4200, and if you really want faster when the 9700 comes out, then buy the 9700 and sell the Ti4200.

 

[Deeko]

Doesn't BB have restocking fees? I know CC doesn't, I'd do it there...but oh ya know, I work there Heh maybe I'll do it just to spite my competitor, force them to have more OB stock...heheh And the TNT2 will work. a) the non-universal AGP slot was only in a small number of P4 boards b) I'm getting an Athlon anyway c) regardless, the TNT2 is a 1.5v card lol..and I see no need for waiting till 256, for one thing it would probably not yield any additional performance and for another thing, I don't think its coming for quite awhile.

 

[Emultra]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Doesn't 256MB seem like overkill to you guys? And I like the idea about "borrowing" a video card.

Actually, I think it seems like a good investment.

 

[sxr7171]

Remember people it's only 14 days with computer parts at both BB and CC.

 

[The_Lurker]

This ATI Press Release indicates that they'll be shipping on August 19th Thought u might be interested.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

You wouldn't need 256mb of onboard memory. 64 is enough for now. We are only in a transition to a point where 128 will become "standard." The only R300 powered board that will come with 256mb of memory will be the FireGL X1, and if you want to fork over $900 for your "good investment," be my guest and waste your money.

And don't give me the BS you want it to last for a long time. In a market where there are product refreshes every 6 months, you are pretty much screwed after a year when there are boards that are at least twice as fast as ones from a year ago. And spending $400 on a R300 board with only 128mb of memory now and buying a 256mb+ $400 R400 a year from now will be cheaper than wasting money on a $900 256mb FireGL X1 unless you really need the professional performance...not only do you spend less you get superior performance.

 

[Deeko]

Sweet deal, guess I don't have to rip off BB

 

[AnAndAustin]

Either stick in a cheap TNT2 type card and wait, or else get a 4200-128MB, it's fast and won't devalue as badly as other cards, hence will be easy to sell on.

As for 128MB being in transition, any 64MB card is NOT a smart buy for any new card, not only do some current games suffer with 64MB but in 6-12 months any 64MB card will be VERY hard to sell on, just try selling a 32MB card now! 256MB however is pretty pointless, it will be well over a year before you'll get any appreciable benefit from it, and by then you won't have to pay such a price premium to get one. Unless your budget is very tight then acoid 64MB cards, unless you're loopy forget 256MB ... get 128MB.

I think ATI are so pleased with Rad9700 perf that they feel they can just wait for nVidia to release their new cards before making the Rad9700 available ... LOL!

 

[sxr7171]

I don't know if ATI is pleased enough with the Radeon 9700 to wait until the NV30 details are announced. According to one article I read, they want to get it out quickly before the NV30 hype (I don't mean hype in a bad way) hurts sales of the 9700. The press release says that they 'will' be shipping on August 19.


Some details on NV30 FWIW:
http://www.infosatellite.com/news/2002/07/a290702siggraph.html

 

[HotDealFinder.com]

I don't play any games, so 3d is virtually meaningless to me (please, don't frag me). Ultra high quality 2d/text is what I'm really looking for, along with DVI ability to make this 19" 1900FP Dell LCD look crispy. With that in mind, the Matrox Parhelia sounds like the way to go for me. Do we know when we'll experience Parhelia price drops? Will they surface immediately after the R9700 release on Aug 19th? Is there another card I should be considering?

Thank you, all!