Best card RE: CPU limitations

[sil0nt2]

I have come to the realization that I simply cannot run modern games on my system. I am not an avid gamer, but occasionally I do like to load up the latest RTS or FPS and actually be able to play it. I am looking for a cheap upgrade, and I have a feeling the only thing I can do is buy a new video card. I do not want so spend much money, maybe 200 dollars, but I would gladly spend less...

With that said, I know whatever card I do buy will be severely limited by my current CPU. These are the relevant specs on my system:

Abit BX133 Mobo
PIII 1.0ghz
512 megs Infineon memory
Asus Geforce1 32DDR

I used to be 'in the loop' with regard to current hardware, but I have fallen out, so I need advice. Which card would perform best given my obvious lack in CPU power? Also, I have read about a Radeon 9500 -> 9700 mod which requires a bit of skill with a soldering iron. I am up to the task, but would this hacked 9500 provide me with the results I am after? Would this solution keep up with Nvidia's current offerings given my price range? If so, can anyone provide any specific models of 9500's that can be modded?

Thanks for the help guys. I used to be a hardcore Anand supporter; I even remember the days of his K6 site he hosted on one of those free webpage outfits (circa 1997, IIRC) .. but things have changed, and I need your help.

Thanks again,
brian

 

[Killrose]

Welcome to the AT Forums. There is no need to solder anything now as far as the 9500>9700 hack goes. It's all done by a software mod. The big problem is the moddable 9500's have all nearly been pulled off the market. If you can find one of the 128mb OEM 9500's with the ram in a "L" configuration, then that's the one you need, but the mod has about a 60% success rate, so beware.

Boy, that 1gig is gonna hold back any current card, including your Gf1, LOL. But I guess the best advice I could offer is to buy a video card that will fit into your future major system up-grade. Don't know if you eventually plan one. I would recommend either the Ti4200 or the Radeon 9500 Pro, and I would favor to recommend the 9500 Pro.

 

[mrzed]

The success rate on the 9500NP mod is not very good. Depending on who you beleive, it ranges anywhere from 30-60%. Not good odds on an expensive part if you ask me.

Run with the advice from Killrose above. You'll still get a huge boost even with the PIII.

If you want to spend less, you could also get a huge boost in performance from a Radeon 8500 of any stripe, for about 1/2 the cost of a 9500, or 2/3 of a ti4200. About $70 and up. A PIII 1.0/8500 combo would still play most modern games decently, and even upcoming games at modest settings.

 

[Bovinicus]

I also suggest a Radeon 8500. I have a Radeon 8500 I use with a 1GHz@1.2GHz. It is still limited by the CPU somewhat, so buying a faster video card isn't going to do much of anything but eat up money.

 

[sil0nt2]

Thanks for the help guys. I did some digging in the Video Article Archives and I found an UT2k3 CPU Scaling article. It proved to be extremely helpful. Given the graphs that I saw, the best "bang for the buck" card that will give me good peformance with a 1.0ghz and scale up to modern CPU speeds is a GF3 Ti 200 or 500. I could spend twice as much on a Radeon 9500 and get *slightly* better performance now and better scalability after upgrades, but I feel that a GF3 can probably last me another year. I can then upgrade the rest of my system and still play the games of 2004.

Thanks again for the help guys. I hope this form is helpful for anyone else out there in a similar situation.

brian

 

[Richdog]

Maybe this post is a little late but my advice would be a RADEON 9700 non pro, for $200 you could pick one up and with the efficiency of this card itll do a lot more for you than any geforce 3. Just an opinion

 

[mrzed]

You may have already made your purchase, but I would definitely suggest going with an 8500 over either of the GF3 cards. A half decent 8500le 128MB would be cheaper than the Ti500, probably faster in most things (depending on when the review was written, drivers have brought the 8500 above the level of theTi500 in many cases). It would also allow you to run better AA/AF and have better 2d quality.

Usually Ti500 costs more than 8500, and is outperformed by it. There is also DirectX 8 compatibility with the 8500.

Basically, the 8500 is a superior card, and drivers have finally got to the point of realising most of its potential.

 

[Budmantom]

Try the GF4 Ti4200 64mb for around $100 you will be held back by your cpu but it will be a drastic improvement.

 

[sil0nt2]

Thanks for the additional replies. I am now citing my sources for the information I found last night. If you look carefully at the given benchmarks, it appears as though the GF3 Ti 500 outperforms the 8500 in almost every aspect when paired with an Athlon 800-1000. Also, the GF3 seems do a better job when given more CPU power. With the Athlon 2100-2700+ XP, the GF3 comes out ahead for nearly all tests.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030120/index.html (January 20, 2003)

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1650 (July 9th, 2002)

I appreciate everyone's concern that I make the smartest decision. Also, with regards to price, I am looking entirely on the used market right now, so I think I could only hope to save about 5-10 dollars max by getting the Radeon 8500 over the Ti 500.

Thanks,
brian