Advice:move from TI4200 to a...

[LotharJade]

My TI-4200 fragged and is getting rma'd but they dont have the same card sooo, I think I might move on up. Someone hinted that 4200's were not DirectX9 compatable, what is on the move up that is?

Someone also said that 5200's and 5200 Ultra's were a step down. TRUE?

So is the Nvidia 5600's and 5600 Ultra's the way to go? If so, which is better w/ all things considered?:sun:

 

[Boonesmi]

Someone also said that 5200's and 5200 Ultra's were a step down. TRUE

it depends on the game

if you want dx9 compatability your best choice is ati (nvidia seems to be having problems right now with dx9 games)

something like a radeon 9600 pro is in the same price range as the geforce 5600

 

[ViRGE]

Humm, that's a toughie; even the FX5600 and ATI 9600 series don't offer an "incredible" performance boost over the Ti4200. The real boost would be in an FX5900 or Radeon 9700/9800, but it's hard to find any of those cards below $250. Wait for another week or so; Nvidia has a product annoucement coming up that should include a new mid-range card, to which Xbit says is relitively different from the 5600.

 

[apac]

I had to rma my ti4200 at newegg and they credited me with $155. I just spent an extra $100 and bought the sapphire radeon 9800 np and am running it at over pro speeds without a bios flash. Good deal for a $100 upgrade if you ask me.

 

[chocoruacal]

Originally posted by: Boonesmi
if you want dx9 compatability your best choice is ati (nvidia seems to be having problems right now with dx9 games)

No, I'm sure he's only interested in DX8 performance, what with it on its way out the door and all

If you want to see a improvemnt overall, but especially if you use AA and AF, then get a 9600+.

If you want to see a massive improvement overall, but especially if you use AA and AF, then get a 9800+

If you're interested in playing any of the new games in the next 6 months and you have to buy RIGHT NOW, make sure its an ATI. But, you could easily answer your own question by looking up some benchmarks...it 'aint exactly a close race right now with nVidia/ATI and the new(er) DX9 games.

 

[Regs]

I would personally not go near a 5600u for what their charging for it. 9600p all the way.
In terms of framerate, it will be just about the same as the ti4200, except the 9600p will deliver more on Dx9 and image quality and of course AA/AF performance.

 

[Jeff7]

I just checked the FS forum too - 9700 Pro's are popping up for around $200 there. Just read carefully - a lot of people aren't marking the things as sold in the original post, and they're not editing the 9700 out of their titles.

I went from a Ti4200 to a 9700 Pro. Quite a difference. I could up the resolution a step (800x600 to 1024x768, etc) in most games, increase AF and AA, and still get faster framerates.

 

[LotharJade]

Hmmm, I am doing the newegg thing too. I may wait and see what Nvidia is coming up with, but will consider the ATI route.

 

[murphy55d]

I went from a 4200 to a 9800 Pro... awesome.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
I went from a 4200 to a 9800 Pro... awesome.

Me too . I could actually use AA/AF now, and high resolutions. Framerate also increased dramatically.

 

[LotharJade]

Well, still waiting for newegg to do the offer thing. The "WE DONT HAVE YOUR CARD, HOW BOUT THIS..."
I will see what is availiable then. Is it just me, or can you find the ATI cards there cheaper than the Nvidia cards? You know, the ones that supposedly are competing with each other.

I prefer the exterior designs and bundles with Nvidia cards, but its what is inside that leans me to get an ATI.

 

[LotharJade]

Any thoughts on the SAPPHIRE ati cards, or other manufactures of ati cards?

 

[GTaudiophile]

If you are playing mostly DX8 games with no AA there is little-to-no reason to upgrade from a Ti4200. Anand's latest benches show it's still a very competitive card for such applications. You might just want to wait until NV40 and R420.

If you want to turn on the goodies and/or start playing more DX9 games, I'd suggest a ATi Radeon 9700 PRO, 9800 Non-PRO, 9600 PRO, 9600XT, or GeForce FX 5700 Ultra. Those cards seem to be in the sweet spot.

 

[Elcs]

I beleive Sapphire ARE ATI cards or the other way around. One manufactures a load, the other slaps their sticker and special stuff on it and sells it on.

Not sure on this one as Im 'out of the loop'.

 

[lordtyranus2]

I would not bother replacing a Ti4200 without anything less than a 9700 Pro/9800 np.

 

[LotharJade]

So should I get a 9600 Pro or a 9800 SE? Newegg has a Sapphire 9800 SE for comparable price ($167) of many of their 9600 Pro's. DX9 is a must.

 

[LotharJade]

Anyone know what the SE represents? Is that just a non pro?

 

[Fern]

Yur gonna get a better answer if ur patient. But the SE is "Lite". Almost everyone seems to advocate NOT getting the "SE" version.

Note: You may want to start a new thread/post with this (new) question for quicker/better answers

 

[PraetorianGuards]

My vote is for either a Radeon 9600XT or the nVidia 5700 Ultra. Both (from what I've seen) have relatively the same performance. Personally, I would get the Radeon because it comes with Half-Life 2

 

[LotharJade]

I went with a EVGA 5900 nu. Seems to work great!

 

[Jayczar]