Budget Card Worth Keeping?

[Devlyn]

On BF I picked up the ATI9600 & PNY Geforce5600 Ultra... tomorrow is the last day to return or do MIRs and I haven't been able to decide if either are worth keeping or not so I'm asking for help. At the moment I've recently purchased an Xbox and have several games from the purchase, EA coupon, & gifts... so I'm using it for the most part and probably will for a few months anyway. I do however plan to return to online gaming with releases of Doom3, HL2, etc... in the future.

Would either of these cards be a worthwhile investment for a long term time frame? The 9600 will cost $70 & the 5600 ultra $100, so neither are big costs but useless if I will have to purchase a new card 6 mths down the road to enjoy anything. I'm still running a gf2mx400 so its not like I am demanding... but with 9800NP running $200 lately... I'd be willing to spend $150 in a few months. Advice please!

Thanks.

 

[GZFant]

Honestly I do not think the 9600 or 5600 would fit the bill for online gaming with those two games but like you said, your not demanding.

I say wait till after Christmas and grab a 9800np or 5900nu. Those are much more powerful than the two you mentioned and will service you longer in the future.

 

[Evdawg]

If you want to play Hl2 and Doom3 when they come out.... youre gonna need something more than a 9600 to play at decent quality.. If i were you i would go with a 9700 or 9800 later on down the road. If youre happy with your gf2 now then stick with it. Save your dough and buy nice one

 

[modedepe]

For the long term? Probably not. Either would be a nice upgrade from your current card, but I'm not sure either will be able to play those games very well.

 

[daveybrat]

Return the Geforce 5600 and keep the ATI 9600. Worst case scenario you have to buy a better card in 4-5 months for those 2 games. For $70 you can't go wrong on the 9600. It's a very capable card for any of today's games and will be a significant upgrade in not just 3D speed but your 2D image quality will be much better in windows.