Best video upgrade for my system

[puphus]

I am looking to upgrade my video card for my current system:
P4 1.7 Ghz
Intel 850
640 RDRAM(800)
17" Trinitron
GF2 MX400 64Mb
I play NWN and other RPG games, Jedi Outcast, RTCW and plan to play future games. I also do some computer cartography (Surfer and Arcview). I don't want to upgrade my card again for a little while. I don't overclock, but I am willing to. I really don't have a whole lot of cash. I am thinking of a Ti4200 128Mb ($140) or an 8500LE ($75). Which one of these will perform the best for what I am looking for and will last the longest before I need to upgrade again? Are there any other cards out there that I should consider? Any manufacturers that are best? What should I do? Thanks for the help. I will try to help those that I can.

 

[Eman1]

I can't help you too much as I'm in the same situation. If you haven't already, read some of the recent threads from the last few days concerning ATI 8500 and GF4 (ie. Best card for under $100 and GF4 vs ATI 8500).

This should give you some food for thought.

Eman

 

[rogue1979]

If you get a Radeon 8500LE with decent RAM you should be able to hit 300/300, which is faster than a Retail 8500 stock speed of 275/275. While the GF4 4200 is definately the faster of the two, at half the price the Radeon 8500LE is a much better deal. Both should take you into the future for at least a year.

Welcome to Anandtech Forums

 

[mastay]

Get radeon8500LE or Ti4200. Its a matter of cost consideration really. I think a Ti4200 with 128MB will last quite a bit longer than the 8500.

 

[bikinistud]

You're in same situation I am in. Sorry I can't help much but supposedly "other" low-cost cards are coming out around x-mas. So you may want to check out those options because if you have waited this long to upgrade, like me, then you might as well wait a little longer so you can stretch out the money you have as far as it will go.

 

[jonmullen]

I was in the same situation. I wanted a top of the line, or close to card, but could not justify $400 for a video card. Then I found this card at newegg. It is a Ti4200, but it has the high end 3.3ns ram. I was able to hit Ti4600 speeds first time out of the box. I highly recomend this card.