Generally the latest official drivers from either nVidia or manu are the best for any card. However, with a 900mhz CPU and the low prices of GF2TI, Rad7500, GF4MX and Xabre400 it would really make a lot of sense to spend the $60 and pretty much double your perf! In fact 900mhz would still gain appreciable benefit (though not optimal) from GF3TI200 or Rad8500/9000 cards which are now a huge bargain for under $100. Enabling things like AA and Aniso significantly help to use up otherwise untapped GPU speed. Here's a couple of 3Dmark examples using a Duron900mhz (gfx card: total marks, games1-4 high detail FPS): Yeah, there's no doubt the GF3TI500 is pretty pointless new. 4200 are the same price and a whole load better. Rad8500/LE cards perf better in everything except AA, and that includes image quality, TVout, dual display, DVD playback etc. If you have under $100 then get a Rad8500, if you can afford $150 then get a 4200-128MB. If you go Rad, then be sure to either get a true ATI ('built' not 'powered') or retail version ... otherwise negotiate a decent discount. Whatever you go for, do get a 128MB card, it makes no sense to get a new 64MB card unless you have no choice (GF2, Rad7500 etc).Originally posted by: AnAndAustin
) Well I'm in the UK, which means pricewatch.com doesn't really help me to advise you on the reliability or good service you may (or may not) get from a particular supplier, ask around though. Newegg are VERY well respected, but of course that 32MB will really kill you. The 'powered' Radeons (not true ATI) are often slower (5-10% max), same goes for oem vs retail Rads. Rad7500 is a better all-rounder and will easily compete with a GF2TI. The GF2GTS/Pro are VERY close to GF2TI perf, as is the GF4MX440 but with better AA perf and other small enhancements. These are all DX7 cards, the DX8 cards will give you much more especially in newer games. GF3TI200 and Rad8500LE are pretty close perf-wise, but the Rad8500LE is a tad faster, has better image quality, TVout, dual monitor ... only let down by it's AA. The Rad9000 cards are faster than GF2TI while also sporting full DX8 hw funcs, the Rad9000pro isn't as good as a Rad8500LE though. In short I would suggest buying from newegg because everybody seems to find them amazing. From the above I would suggest 'Rad9000 64MB $69' with 'ATI Rad7500 64MB $65' and 'GF4MX440 64MB $78' being decent alternatives. If you can afford a little more then 'Rad9000pro 64MB $88' seems the best, with 'ATI Rad8500LE 128MB $109' and 'GF4TI4200 64MB $133' being very good if you have a little more cash. 3Dmark2001 Duron 1000 (total, games1-4 high detail FPS): With AA in the equation the GF4 cards will pull away further. Bear in mind that other games perf will vary, but 3Dmark is still very good for a rough idea.
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