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budget video card advice

S

shud

Golden Member
I just built a nice XP2500+ box, and currently it's running on a Voodoo3 (don't laugh!). It was all I had laying around since my 8RDA+ doesn't have onboard video.

Anyway, I'm considering a few cards.

FX5200 - $72 @ newegg
Radeon 9200 128 - $79 @ newegg (Sapphire version at $81)
Radeon 9000 Pro 128 - $89 @ newegg

Obviously with a budget card, I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I'd like to not spend over $80, but if the 9000P is substantially better than either of the other two, I'll spend $90.

I just need this to play old favorites (CS) and games that will be coming out in the future months (1024x768 is the max rez I'll use). Come Christmas time or maybe a little sooner I'll definitely be upgrading to be able to handle HL2 very well.

Thoughts?
 
Video cards, all you need to know:

5200 is slow (8500LE performance), 5600 is faster and slower in some games than the 4200TI but cost MORE (go figure). 5900 is fast but cost an arm and a leg. Follow this guide for best bang for the buck:

sub $70 - Radeon 8500LE/9000 (newegg has OEM 8500LE for $65)
sub $100 - Geforce 4 TI 4200 (newegg has Abit 64mb 8xAGP for $89)
$160-$180- Radeon 9500 PRO or Geforce 4 TI4600 if your an Nvidia fanboy (9500PRO is faster with FSAA/AA on)
sub $200- Radeon 9700 (best bang for the buck, mwave.com has OEM 9700 for $199)
sub $300- Radeon 9700 PRO
money is no obect - Radeon 9800 PRO or Geforce FX 5900 Ultra


Simple as that.
 
If it helps, I have a GeForce4 Ti4200 w/ 128MB of RAM in the process of being RMA'd and I should have it in about a week and a half. I'd be happy to part with it for $65 shipped. If you're interested.
-doug
 
Yea, DMW is offering a good deal on a Ti4200 128 (once a working one comes). Otherwise, a R9100 from Newegg will probably outperform a R9000 and a R9200 in many cases (go figure; ATi does weird numbering).

A 9100 is a renamed 8500 with a somewhat enhanced bios. I just ordered one for myself. $65 for a 64mb 9100 by ATi. Of course, a Ti-4200 is better 🙂
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
If it helps, I have a GeForce4 Ti4200 w/ 128MB of RAM in the process of being RMA'd and I should have it in about a week and a half. I'd be happy to part with it for $65 shipped. If you're interested.
-doug
Click to expand...

$65 for a TI4200 128mb, thats a steal!
 
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