Gefoce4 Ti4400. Upgrade now or what?

[escapek]

Okay, I currently am running an MSI GeForce4 Ti4400 (128Mb flavor) on a 2400XP and 8RDA+ platform. Been running it for close to a year and have yet to find a game that hasn't played pretty much flawlessley (Mafia got a bit slow at some parts). Thinking of doing my usualy holiday upgrading. Here is what I'm looking for:

- Want DX9 support (ready for some current and next batch of games)
- Want to start playing all my games with FSAA turned up which I'm currently not doing on the GF4
- Want some faster performance (again, ready for the doom 3's and hl2's)

I'm leaning toward getting a 9800np or pro. Looking to spend no more than about $200-250. Opinions???

Do I make the move now?? Thanks.

JMS

 

[mamisano]

Personally, I would go with a used 9700Pro...they can be found around the $200 and can hold you over until the current generation of DX9 cards come down in price. I have not found a game yet that causes my 9700 Pro to fall to its knees, although that might change when Doom 3 comes out

 

[Hauk]

The 9700Pro is a good choice. The 9800NP for under $250.00 would be a wiser choice, as there have been processor and PCB component improvements. Resale would certainly higher on the 9800np in a year as well.

Don't want to start an Nvida vs. ATI war; but you may also consider an FX 5900 non-ultra solution. Yes, the DX9 support debate rages on. But... I'm running the 52.16 drivers on a 5900. Halo and Homeworld 2, and other games are very smooth with full settings. Seach by chipset at newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=48&DEPA=1

Or try ebay. I'm seeing cards going for under $200.00 Search for FX 5900. The magic $200.00 range. I was there three weeks ago...

 

[Chucko]

I wouldn't upgrade to anything less than a Radeon 9700 pro. I used to have a Ti4400 and I upgraded to an ATI 9500 pro and wish I had spent a little more to get a 9700 pro.

 

[ponyo]

I would wait until you found a game you liked that runs poorly on your current card.

 

[skace]

I'm sticking it out with my Ti4400 until the games finally hit that force me to get something new. I'd suggest the same to you as well.

 

[Hauk]

Yea, the ti4400 clocks to a ti4600 quite nicely. Still a good card...

 

[Insomniak]

No.

I have a Ti 4400. I'm not upgrading until the post Doom 3 - Half Life 2 generation.

With a good CPU and RAM, these cards have more than enough juice to stick it out through those titles. After that, they'll start to run out of steam though.

My next card will either be an NV50 or R500.



If you MUST upgrade (and I say again, I wouldn't), a 9700 Pro is by far the best bang for your buck right now, although the 5900 NU isn't bad either, but it does cost a little more change.

 

[NYHoustonman]

For me, the jump from Ti4400 to 9800 Pro was insanely noticeable. I suppose it is smarter to wait, but I have no paitnece ...Go for at least a 9800 np/5900/9700 pro

 

[Corporate Thug]

if you were to upgrade, you can prolly grab something like $120 for your card. a 5900 is like $205. not a bad upgrade for $85

 

[SuperStrokey]

Out of curiosity how much are you overclocking your other components? Cause if your not at all that would be ther first step.

 

[Blastman]

Even with the latest 52.16 drivers, the 5900?s performance in the HL2 (beta) was still pretty slow compared to the 9800. In the digilife ?(bottom of page) review the 9800 was ~ 42% and 74% faster in the 2 HL2 benchmarks.


EDIT: THanx shady06. Fixed link.

 

[Corporate Thug]

blastman, The page cannot be found

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Blastman
Even with the latest 52.16 drivers, the 5900?s performance in the HL2 (beta) was still pretty slow compared to the 9800. In the digilife ?(bottom of page) review the 9800 was ~ 42% and 74% faster in the 2 HL2 benchmarks.


EDIT: THanx shady06. Fixed link.

And if you look at the release date for HL2 you will realize that buying a card based on any benchmark regarding HL2 is a complete and utter waste of time.

 

[UCSDHappyAsian]

well.... non-pro is not too good though.. i wouldnt buy that... 9800 pro is too expensive.. i would not buy that... i rather get a geforcefx 5700 ultra... sounds sexy to me

 

[Pudgygiant]

Damn you people that have money. I just upgraded me to a ti4600.