better than TI 4200 on a budget

[Fike]

I have been considering a new video card. I just upgraded my system to a newcastle 3000 at 2.4 GHz. I just got the game Stronghold 2 and was surprised that it really taxes my system. At 1024x768 it can really crawl. I kind of expected that my vid card would be enough.

Is there anything I can get for less than $100 that would be a significant upgrade? I don't want a small incremental upgrade. If I have to go above $100, I will just wait for prices to come down.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Used Ebay Radeon 9700/9800s?

 

[dguy6789]

There was a site that sells brand new 9700 Pros for like $115. I dont remember it tho, maybe someone else knows.

 

[imported_itr]

Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
Used Ebay Radeon 9700/9800s?

agreed. if you want a new card however, buy a 9600 pro though the performance won't be significantly improved.

 

[Fike]

what difference will DX9 support give me?

 

[lavaheadache]

Originally posted by: Fike
what difference will DX9 support give me?

Much better visual effects, but you better have some horsepower to push those effects. I recommend a 9700/9800 pro over a 9600 anyday. I know newegg sells 9800 pro's for 155 now, sell your TI for 55 and add the 100 you were going to spend and get yourself a nice new 9800 pro with r 360 core and flash it to an XT. You will then have a card that will handle any game at 1024x768 with high settings.

 

[stixman6878]

I like the GeForce cards so I was looking at the GeForce 6200 as a quick fix to replace the Ti4200 in my new system (A64 3200+) ... they're also around the same cost.

 

[Fike]

I have an nvidia nforce mboard. Is there any advantage to staying with nvidia for the vid card instead of moving over to ATI..?

 

[globalcitizen]

They will be no performance hit by going to an ATI card if that's what you mean. The older ATI cards are better than the older nVidia cards.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: stixman6878
I like the GeForce cards so I was looking at the GeForce 6200 as a quick fix to replace the Ti4200 in my new system (A64 3200+) ... they're also around the same cost.

The 6200 is barely a replacement for the Ti4200.

Go for at least a 6600.

 

[carlosd]

At least a 9600PRO, not great difference in performance, but support for DX9 and better image quality. A good upgrade for the Legendary Ti4200 woul be a Radeon 9700 Pro or Geforce 6600. JUst save $20-40 more and buy one of these.

 

[Muhadib]

You can pick up a 6600 GT on ebay for around $130. They tend to be the best mid range value card IMO.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

used 9700pro $100 shipped