What video card to choose?

[jaggrey]

I'm torn between the GeForce4 Ti4200, the GeForceFX 5200, or maybe a Radeon 9200. I have about $55-60 max to spend and I'm trying to replace a Geforce3 Ti200. I suppose as long as it performs better than that I'm cool.

Looking at some of Anand's benchmarks, the FX seems to be around GF4MX speeds, which (if I recall right) are slightly slower than the GF3Ti200 speeds? I could be wrong on this.

I've also read that the 9200 is basically a 9000, which is basically a "neutered" 8500. In this case should I just get an 8500?

I'd love the GF4Ti4200, but I can't spring it right now, and I have no idea when I'll be getting more funds. I don't game as much as I used to, which is why I'm not even considering anything more expensive. I also usually run games at 1280x1024 since I wanna stay in my LCD's native resolution so I don't further sacrifice image quality, so the card has to be pretty good at running at high resolutions.

Any suggestions?

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: jaggrey
I'm torn between the GeForce4 Ti4200, the GeForceFX 5200, or maybe a Radeon 9200. I have about $55-60 max to spend and I'm trying to replace a Geforce3 Ti200. I suppose as long as it performs better than that I'm cool.

Looking at some of Anand's benchmarks, the FX seems to be around GF4MX speeds, which (if I recall right) are slightly slower than the GF3Ti200 speeds? I could be wrong on this.

I've also read that the 9200 is basically a 9000, which is basically a "neutered" 8500. In this case should I just get an 8500?

I'd love the GF4Ti4200, but I can't spring it right now, and I have no idea when I'll be getting more funds. I don't game as much as I used to, which is why I'm not even considering anything more expensive. I also usually run games at 1280x1024 since I wanna stay in my LCD's native resolution so I don't further sacrifice image quality, so the card has to be pretty good at running at high resolutions.

Any suggestions?

Personally I don't think any of the cards you are considering are going to give you that much or a performance gain.

The 5200 FX is garbage, in my opinion.

I would try to get an 8500 over a 9200. If you can get an 8500 128MB that would be alright, however what I would do is take that cash and set it aside, and add 5$ to it every time you had a chance until you can afford a better upgrade.

If you aren't gaming that much, and you don't want to spend much to upgrade you may as well wait because you arent going to be blown away by the difference between any of those cards and what you have.

 

[Nebor]

^^ That guy is right. But out of those, I'd choose the GF4.

 

[jaggrey]

Well I don't have the GeForce3 Ti200 anymore. I currently don't have any video card actually. This is why I'm looking for something comparable or *maybe* superior to what I had.

What's the difference performance-wise between 64MB / 64bit, 128MB / 64bit, and 128MB / 128bit ???

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: jaggrey
Well I don't have the GeForce3 Ti200 anymore. I currently don't have any video card actually. This is why I'm looking for something comparable or *maybe* superior to what I had.

What's the difference performance-wise between 64MB / 64bit, 128MB / 64bit, and 128MB / 128bit ???

In regards to which card?

If I had to guess I would say the "bit" part refers to the memory pipline, so the higher the better. You mkight want to check out the for sale/for trade forums here and look for a used geforce 4 or radeon 8500.

Like I said before stay away from the 5200 at all costs.

I have to agree that in these circumstances the 4200 is the best bet.

I have an 8500, but when I got it I paid 99$ whil the 4200 was 150+ and I got lucky and got the 128 MB LE with BGA memory (you can tell, the memory chips are square isntead of rectangular) and it OC'd to retail with no problems

So basically find an 8500 or a 4200 in your price range. Both those cards are good cards, but the radeon should be a little cheaper and if you arent doing much gaming then save yourself a few bucks.

 

[modedepe]

fx5200 won't even be an upgrade from your current card in non aa/af situations. A 9200 won't be that much faster either, and you would be better off with a 8500 instead. I think the minimum you should be looking to upgrade to is a ti4200, anything less is a waste, imo. Save up a little more, you can get a nice refurb ti4200 128mb for $75.

 

[Corporate Thug]

ti4200

 

[magomago]

Start saving up and get a Radeon9600pro. A G3ti200 is still good - If I game on a mx420 you should be able to game on a ti200 for a littlebit

 

[Nebor]

If I were you, I'd just do without for a while, then buy a 5900. But that's just me, I do things big.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: magomago
Start saving up and get a Radeon9600pro. A G3ti200 is still good - If I game on a mx420 you should be able to game on a ti200 for a littlebit

He doenst have teh card anymore, you guys should READ the threads.

He needs a card immediatley because he has no card now.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Johnbear007

Originally posted by: magomago
Start saving up and get a Radeon9600pro. A G3ti200 is still good - If I game on a mx420 you should be able to game on a ti200 for a littlebit

He doenst have teh card anymore, you guys should READ the threads.

He needs a card immediatley because he has no card now.

He must be a true fan to navigate to the Anand boards, and make that post all without being able to see what he was doing. A true, dedicated fan...

 

[tbates757]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Johnbear007

Originally posted by: magomago
Start saving up and get a Radeon9600pro. A G3ti200 is still good - If I game on a mx420 you should be able to game on a ti200 for a littlebit

He doenst have teh card anymore, you guys should READ the threads.

He needs a card immediatley because he has no card now.

He must be a true fan to navigate to the Anand boards, and make that post all without being able to see what he was doing. A true, dedicated fan...

Yeah... because nobody has more than one computer

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: tbates757

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Johnbear007

Originally posted by: magomago
Start saving up and get a Radeon9600pro. A G3ti200 is still good - If I game on a mx420 you should be able to game on a ti200 for a littlebit

He doenst have teh card anymore, you guys should READ the threads.

He needs a card immediatley because he has no card now.

He must be a true fan to navigate to the Anand boards, and make that post all without being able to see what he was doing. A true, dedicated fan...

Yeah... because nobody has more than one computer

Exactly my point, he can obviously use A computer... so he may as well save his money and get a 5900!

 

[tbates757]

Or save some money and get a 9800? Why do you like nvidia so much anyway

 

[Nebor]

I just don't like to change things once I get them working good.

I always buy the same stuff at the grocery store, always the same label clothes, etc etc. And I SHOULD have gotten another Volvo instead of the Acura. I'm big on brand loyalty, that's my only reason. And I know that the 5900 outperforms the 9800 in pretty much every benchmark, and the 5900U wins in all benches.

Time for another half hour of sleep... I swear, I'm so damn wierd.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Nebor
I just don't like to change things once I get them working good.

I always buy the same stuff at the grocery store, always the same label clothes, etc etc. And I SHOULD have gotten another Volvo instead of the Acura. I'm big on brand loyalty, that's my only reason. And I know that the 5900 outperforms the 9800 in pretty much every benchmark, and the 5900U wins in all benches.

Time for another half hour of sleep... I swear, I'm so damn wierd.

actually, there was a dicussion about this is the video forum. Rollo provided a link that showed the 9700 pro outperforming the 5900 non ultra in 55% of the benchmarks. and since the 9800 NP performance is nearly identical to the 9700 pro, you can safely assume the the performance of the 9800 NP is identical to that of the 5900 non-ultra, of course the 9800 is about $60 cheaper

 

[jacktesterson]

Get a Sapphire Radeon 9100 128 MB for $60 until you can afford to upgrade

this is comparable ti4200 performance, beats a FX5200 to he!!, cheaper, and has better DVD and image quality

choice is easy

 

[jaggrey]

Originally posted by: AMDHardcoreFan
Get a Sapphire Radeon 9100 128 MB for $60 until you can afford to upgrade

this is comparable ti4200 performance, beats a FX5200 to he!!, cheaper, and has better DVD and image quality

choice is easy

But most are saying to avoid the 9000. I thought the 9100 was essentially the same thing?

And to answer every1's question, I'm on my old-school Latitude for the time being, but I'd love to get back on my regular computer

Now I think I've narrowed it down to a variant of the 8500 or a ti4200 if I can get my hands on one for around $60.

OT: I had a Volvo for 2 weeks.....that thing was a lemon!!! That's another story....