1ghz - Ti200 64 vs 128 vs Ti450 vs Ti500?

[Cabana]

I have an AMD 1ghz Thunderbird and need to get rid of my Voodoo5. Which of those 4 cards is the best for the money? Does the extra ram on the 128 actually make a difference or should I not bother? I'd prefer to spend under $100 and I've seen a bunch of Ti200 64s for sale below that, but not sure if that's the best choice. At this point a GF4 isn't worth it to me.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

You can get a Radeon 8500 LE 128MB for about $90 Slightly faster than that Gf3-TI200, especially with AA, and Ansio enabled.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well a Rad8500 is a better choice than a GF3 card, but Aniso is much higher quality and AA is MUCH better on GF3/GF4TI cards. T^he Rad8500 cards tend to be a smidge faster and sport much better image quality, DVD playback, TVout and dual display making them a wiser purchase than a GF3, if you can live without the fastest AA and higher quality Aniso that is. At 1ghz there is little point going for a GF4TI unless you will be upgrading soon, so the choice really does come down to Rad8500/LE or one of the GF3 cards. It is VERY much worth buying 128MB on any new gfx card, 64MB will hit you very hard with games due out and there is already a sizable difference in some of the recent games already out. You'll really regret saving that $20 for a 64MB card, unlike many things in modern computing 128MB gfx cards are not marketing.

EDIT: Actually in your case I would rec a 128MB GF3 card, since you will be pretty CPU limited you will want to run with AA and Aniso on to use up the untapped gfx card power, this would be much better on a GF3 card, BUT do rem you are sacrificing image quality, DVD playback, TVout and dual display. See what the prices are like, and weigh up your reqs and personal prefs, both Rad8500 and GF3 will make you very happy.

 

[Cabana]

Thanks guys - I don't need DVD playback, TV-out, or dual-display so I think I'll go with the GF3. I do like AA so that's a bonus as well.

Another question - does brand matter? On Pricewatch the cheapest 128 is $107 shipped. The cheapest "name brand" is an MSI for $124 shipped. The cheapest G4 4200 128 is an Aopen at $127. Seems if I'm supposed to go with a brand name I might as well get a GF4. Opinions?

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well brand makes virtually no diff at all for GF4TI, the same stands true for GF3 cards relating to stock speeds, abilities etc BUT you do tend to find image quality and o/c'ability do vary quite considerablely with manu on GF3. You won't really gain anything much extra from a GF4TI4200, but for an extra $20 you will get much better image quality as well as improved AA, TVout, dual display (nice bonuses even if you don't partic need them) and it'll fetch a heck of a lot more when ever you come to sell your card on. PLUS if you get a new PC or upgrade your current CPU the GF4TI card unlike GF3 or Rad8500/9000 gains a whole lot more with every mhz of CPU power! IMHO go for the 128MB GF4TI4200, although you certainly won't get the most out of it it makes little sense to skimp!

 

[Cabana]

I misread Pricewatch and the cheapest 128 GF4 is $141...too much for my taste. I'll keep an eye out for the GF3 128, thanks.