Which $75 Video Card?

[1Cheap2Crazy]

My system: XP Pro, AMD 2600+, 512MB, onboard graphics. I do have an AGP slot. I'm not into overclocking. I play some games. As far as I'm concered, Max Payne looked, and played fine with my onboard graphics. I don't need to play games over 1074x760. I would like to play Far Cry.

I'm looking at a new, retail-boxed, graphic card without spending to much money. The card I'm considering is $95 with a free Unreal Tournement 2004 CD, GeForce4 Ti 4200-8X. $95-$20 for Unreal =$75. It doesn't support DirectX9, but it has a good software bundle.

My other choices are:

Radeon 9550

GeForce 5200

These support DirectX9, but at this price is that realistic? Or is it more for marketing sake?

Or is there a better $75 video card out there? That's $75, not $100, and not used.

Thanks

 

[Sonic587]

Ti4200 no question. Blows the 9550 and 5200 out of the water. It'll stuggle a bit on Farcry, though.

BTW, Awesome deal for the 4200 w/UT2004.

 

[clicknext]

Yes get the Ti4200. The DX9 cards will give you certain visual effects, but that's useless when you're struggling along at 10 frames per second.

 

[fbrdphreak]

The 4200 was a great card, I had one up till a couple weeks ago. AOpen Ti4200 128MB. If you can, see if you can find a 4800 maybe, look online a bit. If you could get a higher 4 series, you'd be investing better. Of course, best bang for the buck is still 9800 Pro 128MB; no doubt

 

[Sonic587]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
The 4200 was a great card, I had one up till a couple weeks ago. AOpen Ti4200 128MB. If you can, see if you can find a 4800 maybe, look online a bit. If you could get a higher 4 series, you'd be investing better. Of course, best bang for the buck is still 9800 Pro 128MB; no doubt

Actually, the superfast TI4200 X8 AGP from ASUS has stock clocks of 275/600. This puts it right between the the Ti4400/4800(both 275/550) and the 4600(300/650).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, the Ti4200 is probably the best bet, and free UT2K4 is awesome! I'm still playing using the demo version, I need to track down a cheap copy of the DVD full version, and maybe a USB headset. (Logitech-made one for the PS2 console seems to be available cheaper than their model for the PC, even though they are the same hardware.)

Edit: Oh yeah, checked the specs on that 9550, 64-bit memory is slow. GF2 MX-style slow. Avoid it at all costs.

 

[Corporate Thug]

4200

 

[MichaelZ]

get that asus 4200 superfast. you won't regret it... i've been running one for a year now and it never ceases to amaze me. i have another regular ASUS ti4200 (v9280 VS) to compare this v9280 S 4200 card to, this card handles modern games unbelievably good and kicks my regular 4200's behind. the OC ability is very good too.

 

[Sonic587]

Originally posted by: i82lazyboy
get that asus 4200 superfast. you won't regret it... i've been running one for a year now and it never ceases to amaze me. i have another regular ASUS ti4200 (v9280 VS) to compare this v9280 S 4200 card to, this card handles modern games unbelievably good and kicks my regular 4200's behind. the OC ability is very good too.

Would you mind telling me what OC you got on the card? I'm looking to pickup one of these as well. Wondering what I should expect.

EDIT: Whoa, just checked out your rigs( sue me, I'm tired ) 333/747. Very impressive!! Do you have Far cry/UT2004? If so, how does it handle in those titles?

 

[MichaelZ]

speed: 315/690 day in day out. running this speed using edited bios. benchmarks at 333/747 -> 345/755 on a cold day with a fan card under it.

 

[nemesismk2]

Originally posted by: Sonic587
Ti4200 no question. Blows the 9550 and 5200 out of the water. It'll stuggle a bit on Farcry, though.

BTW, Awesome deal for the 4200 w/UT2004.

 

[fibes]

Ti4200

 

[OMG1Penguin]

My GeForce 256 > FX5200

Dead Serious.

Get the Ti

 

[nick1985]

4200

 

[1Cheap2Crazy]

Thanks everybody. I'm going to get the TI-4200. Now I have to decide weather to get Unreal Tournement 2004 or Far Cry Free with this card. I'm going to post that question in software.

Again thanks, you've made me feel good about my choice and helping with this decision.

Have a nice day

 

[clicknext]

Originally posted by: 1Cheap2Crazy
Thanks everybody. I'm going to get the TI-4200. Now I have to decide weather to get Unreal Tournement 2004 or Far Cry Free with this card. I'm going to post that question in software.

Again thanks, you've made me feel good about my choice and helping with this decision.

Have a nice day

I'd get UT2004.
Online gaming rocks. The Ti4200 won't do all that well with Far Cry anyway.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: clicknext

Originally posted by: 1Cheap2Crazy
Thanks everybody. I'm going to get the TI-4200. Now I have to decide weather to get Unreal Tournement 2004 or Far Cry Free with this card. I'm going to post that question in software.

Again thanks, you've made me feel good about my choice and helping with this decision.

Have a nice day

I'd get UT2004.
Online gaming rocks. The Ti4200 won't do all that well with Far Cry anyway.

my 4200 runs far cry on medium just fine.

 

[adlep]

ti 4200

 

[CHarrington]

Originally posted by: Sonic587

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
The 4200 was a great card, I had one up till a couple weeks ago. AOpen Ti4200 128MB. If you can, see if you can find a 4800 maybe, look online a bit. If you could get a higher 4 series, you'd be investing better. Of course, best bang for the buck is still 9800 Pro 128MB; no doubt

Actually, the superfast TI4200 X8 AGP from ASUS has stock clocks of 275/600. This puts it right between the the Ti4400/4800(both 275/550) and the 4600(300/650).

You're thinking of the Ti4800 SE.