Radeon 8500 or GeForce3 Ti200??

[alexruiz]

I will update my graphics card very soon.... My budget goes as high as $150

However, I have identified the suspects:

MSI Starforce 8850 (GeForce 3 Ti200, VIVO) or Radeon 8500. I think the Radeon is better than the Ti200, but the MSI has VIVO, a feature that I really need (I do a lot of analog video capture).

What do you suggest?? Should I keep my crappy pinnacle tv-tuner for the video capture???

Thanks

 

[GeForceG]

How soon?
Right now the NVidia GeForce 4 MX-440 64MB DDR is as low as $115 from www.newegg.com
Between the 2, I would get the Radeon 8500. It's way faster then the GeForce 3 Ti-200.

If you wait, the prices of the GeForce 3 Ti-500 and the original GeForce 3 are dropping. I think that you can also get the GeForce 4 MX-460 for $150ish....Not sure...

 

[Quixfire]

If your interested in Video Capture, I would recommned the Radeon 7500 AIW for around $170.00. I know it's a little higher than your budget, but it's a great video card for analog video. I think the performance is close to the Geforce3 Ti200.

 

[jiffylube1024]

The 7500 AIW is not that close to a GF3 Ti200, performance wise ... the Ti200 overclocks to Ti500 levels pretty easy (especially if you get a Crystal Orb; most Ti200 memory does 500-550 MHz easy), and the 7500 and AIW especially aren't that overclockable (so I hear).

 

[sc0tty8]

Well, you can get the ti200, do the RFI filter mod, throw on some tin plated ram sinks, and a 1U rackmount HSF and OC it to the ti500, wich is close to the ti500, or you can get a retail 8500 for sloe to 170, wich is a great price. The 8500 will give the best pic quality and 2d quality, and the modded(if ya got the balls) ti200 will be extremly close to it. I have a 8500, and I am happy as a clam

 

[john35]

:disgust::|:Q:frown:

hehe

 

[spanky]

8500 w/ ur tv tuner

 

[tazdevl]

<< Well, you can get the ti200, do the RFI filter mod, throw on some tin plated ram sinks, and a 1U rackmount HSF and OC it to the ti500, wich is close to the ti500, or you can get a retail 8500 for sloe to 170, wich is a great price. The 8500 will give the best pic quality and 2d quality, and the modded(if ya got the balls) ti200 will be extremly close to it. I have a 8500, and I am happy as a clam >>



There is no guarantee the card will OC that high. OC'ing is a crapshoot, regardless of the mods you make on the card. Better to go with something that already has faster default speeds.

Performancewise, GamePC had a good comparison of 2 Ti4600, Ti500, Ti200, GF3 and MX460 cards with a 8500 thrown in. 8500 held it's own against the Ti500. I also have a 8500, no problems. Have a crystal orb and copper RAMsinks. Runs @ 305/610 no problem. Here's the link.

 

[rogue1979]

Well, I have read many reviews comparing the two video cards. It seems like everybody is getting mixed results, some say the Radeon 8500 is faster, some say the Geforce 3 Ti 200 is faster. It looks pretty close to me, but I say that overclocking a Retail 8500 and the Geforce 3 Ti 200, the Nvidia comes out on top more times in gaming benchmarks. Not 3DMark 2001, where the Radeon has a definite advantage. Since the Ti 200 is cheaper than even the OEM Radeon, that would influence me to buy the Geforce 3.

 

[tazdevl]

No, you must be reading older reviews. I suggest you look @ the dates and what drivers the reviewers are using. In many cases, they are using older drivers.

The 8500 has been pretty much even with the Ti500 for quite some time now. A retail 8500 can be had for $160. Again, no guarantee you can OC as high as a Ti500 with the Ti200.

 

[rogue1979]

Well, the dates on these are a 2 or 3 months old, I couldn't find anything newer.

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/videocards/article.php/932821
http://guru3d.com/review/ati/radeon8500/

Maybe a newer driver will improve the Radeon 8500's gaming benchmarks, can someone else post a newer one?
But these reviews clearly show the Geforce 3 Ti 200 ahead in gaming benchmarks, by a sizable margin in some cases, which a better Radeon driver will not be able to overcome. Of course, the Radeon 8500 is faster in 3DMark 2001, but that isn't really a fun game to play.
Like I said, the Geforce 3 Ti 200 is cheaper than the OEM Radeon 8500 and most of the reviews compare the Retail version which still costs much more. The Radeon 8500 is a great card, I wouldn't mind owning one, but since video cards aren't free, the Geforce 3 Ti 200 is simply faster in games and costs less to boot.

 

[rogue1979]

Quixfire, I missed your post. The Radeon 7500 is slightly behind a Geforce 2 Ti, though their performance is close. It doesn't get near a Geforce 3 Ti 200. As in the Radeon 8500, the 7500 does great in 3DMark 2001 but falls behind in actual gaming benchmarks.

 

[GhettoFob]

I got my Radeon 8500 for ~$140 shipped frome gateway a few weeks back and love it.

 

[tazdevl]

Here is a review that compares the performance of a Gainward Ti4600, VT Ti4600, Ti500, GF3, Ti200, MX460 and 8500. If you notice the 8500 holds its own against the Ti500 which is what it was designed to do.

 

[rogue1979]

Thanks for the link Tazdevl, good info there. The Radeon 8500 does hang in there with the Geforce 3 Ti 500. How come before I checked your rig I new it was gonna include a Radeon 8500?

 

[tazdevl]

I don't have any brand loyalties. I buy what gives me the best performance for the money. ATI has it... still does even with the GF4 out.

 

[jiffylube1024]

<< I buy what gives me the best performance for the money. ATI has it... still does even with the GF4 out. >>



Tru dat. If the Ti4200 ever comes out then nVidia gets it back.

 

[Killrose]

Look around, the Radeon 8500 has suddenly become a best buy, and out classes the GF3 Ti200 in too many area's to pass it up.