better? comparable? ATI 9600XT vs Visntk 9600 vs 4(2)600 ti

[ITPaladin]

Facts please.

Those of you more knowledgable let me know the difference.

I have the VisionTek upgrade form that allows me to get their 128 MB version of the 9600 card for about $110.
I can get the ATI 9600XT for $185 including taxes at work.
I have seen OEM 4600 Ti's for ~$150 or a little less.
I have seen a 4200 Ti for $100 with no shipping or taxes needed.

I could be thrifty and get a XFX Geforce4 mx440 with 64 MB for $60. I have no idea how it would run the games I currently own.

On the other hand I could spend ~$145 on a HP 300I DVD writer to watch movies and back up stuff in the mean time, not playing the games I would love to play. I could mail in the $30 rebate that comes with the purchase, along with a $100 rebate that will take 8 to 10 weeks.

My current card allowing me to use my computer (savage4 32 mb) will not play MOAA, Hitman 2, or even my EverQuest. It couldn't even run Delta Force 3 - Land Warrior.

Oh the agony of that wait....but then I would have only have spent ~$30-$45 on the writer, while getting back $130 sometime first quarter of next year.

 

[Schadenfroh]

get none of them, for the price of that 9600xt, you can get a 5900 non ultra or probably even a 9800 np that will wipe the floor with all of them

 

[high]

get a 5900 or a 9800 np and definitely don't get that 300I if you're planning on burning and watching on your dvd player, it's a good ol + only

 

[kylebisme]

Schadenfroh, show me where you can get a 9800 or even a 5900 for 185$ out the door. if not the 9600xt is what i would go for.

 

[ITPaladin]

I don't have a tv so my computer is my entertainment station right now.
I am currenlty downloading tv shows like 24, Enterprise, etc, to watch.
I figured a dvd player/writer would fit in those needs.

As far as the cards go, you can't find any 5900s on Price Grabber for < or = to what the 9600XT is at work.

Are you saying that the 9800 SE version is that much better than the 9600 XT?

Price Grabber shows I can get a PowerColor version for $176 (380MHz clock 600 memory), no tax or shipping.
Price Watch has Allstarshop having a 9800 SE OEM for $155 including tax.

I thought the 9600XT had higher speed ratings? It says right on ATI's website 500 engine, 600 memory. I am not a techie on these numbers, just knowing usually higher is "better".

The 9800SE says around 325/50 on manufacturer's descriptions for engine, and 500 on memory.

So explain that to me.



The only option I see is an OEM version / refurb (newegg), which I assume would not have the coupon for HL2 in it that ATI's box has, or CoD for the 5900.

In fact, I see I can get an OEM 4200 for $69.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Schadenfroh, show me where you can get a 9800 or even a 5900 for 185$ out the door. if not the 9600xt is what i would go for.

with call of duty

 

[ITPaladin]

They need a new photo of the box. That box shows America's Army not CoD

$188 is really pushing it before tax for me.

Oh well time to make more money.

 

[Pete]

Despite my dislike of nV's PR tactics this past year, the 5900SE/XT with CoD is currently the best deal going at ~$200. It should be under $200 shipped at some online stores like NewEgg or Allstarshop. Check Mwave and Buy.com, too. Most online stores won't require tax.