Best Upgrade from GeForce3 Ti200 for less than $200?

[Lars]

Is the ATI 9500 Pro my best option here? Will the performance increase justify the upgrade price?

(I have a XP2000+, 512MB DDR 2700, mainly use the PC to work/write but also like to play the newest games)


Thanks!



edit: Is there a performance difference between the OEM and the Retail version of the 9500 Pro?

 

[Piano Man]

I would agree that the 9500 Pro is your best option here. The time is right for such a card. In the near future only 'uber' cards such as the FX and the R350 will be coming out. It will be quite some time before we see the next good value card come around. Now that you can overclock it, its a very attractive price/performance card. You would definately see a difference in new games, especially when enabling AA and Antriscopic. I'd go with the Retail. I hear Sapphire and PowerColor sell rebadged ATI cards, so that might be the way to go to save a few $'s.

 

[CurtCold]

Originally posted by: Piano Man
I would agree that the 9500 Pro is your best option here. The time is right for such a card. In the near future only 'uber' cards such as the FX and the R350 will be coming out. It will be quite some time before we see the next good value card come around. Now that you can overclock it, its a very attractive price/performance card. You would definately see a difference in new games, especially when enabling AA and Antriscopic. I'd go with the Retail. I hear Sapphire and PowerColor sell rebadged ATI cards, so that might be the way to go to save a few $'s.

Def agree, I don't understand why people are still so high on 4200's when you can get this card for a little more, and it will perform as well as or better than the 4600. 9500 all the way do0d!

I like ATI, and Nvidia both, but dollar for dollar with the latest drivers ATI has Nvidia by the bawls right now.

 

[tenoc]

Quick look at relative performance here.

Roughly 50% increase in 3DMk2K1.

 

[Keysplayr]

One of these two cards would be a nice sub 200 dollar upgrade and offer comparable performance.
ATI RADEON 9500 Pro 128 MB (goes for about 180.00 to 199.00)
GeForce4 Ti 4400 128 MB (goes for about the same)
Enjoy...

 

[Tom]

I don't have a Radeon, but from reviews the thing that seems most valuable about it to me is the performance you get with anti-aliasing and ansitropic filtering turned on. My understanding is the 9500 Pro is much better than the GeFroce4 in this area, which can enhance the gaming experience.

 

[Lars]

Thanks. Looks like it will be a 9500 Pro.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
I don't have a Radeon, but from reviews the thing that seems most valuable about it to me is the performance you get with anti-aliasing and ansitropic filtering turned on. My understanding is the 9500 Pro is much better than the GeFroce4 in this area, which can enhance the gaming experience.

This is true. Without AA and AF, the Ti 4200 would be a much better deal. The Ti 4200 is about $50-$60 less than the 9500 Pro and without AA and AF, the Ti 4200 is barely slower than the 9500 Pro. like 12166 vs 12600 3DMark scores.
But when you crank AA and AF up, the 9500 Pro is twice as fast as the Ti4200. Plus you get full DX 9 support.
You may also want to look at the 9700 non pro.
Depends on what you want to spend.

For $130 get a Ti4200.
If $200 is really your max budget, get a 9500 Pro for around $180.
If you are willing to spend a little more, a 9700 non-Pro is around $230 and is a pretty decent performance increase from the 9500 Pro.

 

[nRollo]

"ROLLO--->"For the rest of your life people will have better computers, houses, cars, women, etc.. Be happy with what you have.""

Holy crap! Curt Cold has immortalized me!

 

[edm]

If you absolutely can not go over $200, try to hold off a little while. The ati 9700 is already down to around $235 and the performance increase over the 9500 Pro is well worth the extra $30 bucks or wait.

 

[Lars]

Originally posted by: edm
If you absolutely can not go over $200, try to hold off a little while. The ati 9700 is already down to around $235 and the performance increase over the 9500 Pro is well worth the extra $30 bucks or wait.

The 9500 Pro would be $177 shipped (OEM) and the 9700 would be $232 shipped (OEM), so the difference is $55. Still worth it?

Hmmm, just saw a 9700 Pro (OEM) for $276. Why is it always that difficult to upgrade?

 

[Lars]

Ok, ordered the 9700 non-pro. It is my birthday tomorrow so a little more than $200 was ok.

 

[edm]

Happy birthday! enjoy. I think spending the extra $55 was worth it. With a 9500pro your in the Ti4200s performace range. While the 9700 (NP) is beyond a Ti4600, and close to a 9700 Pro.