From 1577 to 5045 3DMarks01 for $60? Should I return to store?

[bupkus]

The rig:
ASUS ATN266-VM
2000+ Thorton w/ 133FSB
256MB PC2100
Windows 98 SE

The scores:
1577 3DMarks2001 using onboard video
5045 3DMarks2001 using PNY FX5200 NU

Target audiance:
Kids aged from 6 to 12

Games to be played:
Lots of Rayman, Sega Sonic(PC), SpiderMan: The Movie, Tough Trucks: Modified Monsters, maybe some educational stuff, etc.

Actually, I settled on the FX5200 cause I had some store credit to use up, but I probably won't be ready to use the vid for another 3-4 weeks anyway.

Sadly, my old Ti4200 cleaned it's clock, albiet in my main line PC w/ 2.2GHz oc'd Barton & (2) 256 OCZ EL PC3500. But, I'm still using my 4200 w/ 64MB playing UT2004 at 800x600.

Anyway, if you think I may do better for $67.20 AMIR in about 3 weeks I can return these and wait. Hmm, and why not? I suppose I could always order a 9200 online should nothing come up.

 

[blurredvision]

I have a GeForce4 Ti4400 for sale for $75 shipped if you're interested. Should get you plenty more marks on your 3DMark score.

In this day and age, though, with 3DMark01, if you aren't getting atleast 10k, you're graphics card isn't up to snuff. But with the games this comp will be playing, you may be fine.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I have a GeForce4 Ti4400 for sale for $75 shipped if you're interested. Should get you plenty more marks on your 3DMark score.

In this day and age, though, with 3DMark01, if you aren't getting atleast 10k, you're graphics card isn't up to snuff. But with the games this comp will be playing, you may be fine.

There's one little catch I forgot to mention. The PS is only 200W, as it's inside a microATX from AOpen. I actually, do want a relatively low power consuming vid. I mean, the PNY FX5200 can't be too bad a power hog as it's only a half-height card. Which makes me feel to ask the question: Just how much can a half-height video card be expected to perform? BTW, the case can fit a full height video card. Infact, I though the PNY FX5200 was a full height card.

 

[Pete]

IIRC, my 9100 in a -VM with a 1700+ hit 7K+.

I'm not sure if 5K is normal for a 5200 or not. Does that 5200 have 128-bit memory? DVI out? A DVI-VGA adapter? A passive heatsink (no fan)? I'm pretty sure you can find a similarly-equipped 5200 for less online, without a rebate to deal with.

You can surely find a higher-performing card for less in a used GF4Ti (bv's 4400 is a good choice, and I've seen 4200s for ~$55), but the signal quality may be slightly inferior to a current, new card.

 

[dennisjai215]

9100 64mb scores me about 10k in 3dmark01se and it cost about 55 bucks

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: dennisjai215
9100 64mb scores me about 10k in 3dmark01se and it cost about 55 bucks

I went here and found no infor about a Radeon 9100. Is there something current that I can still buy?

 

[dennisjai215]

well a 9100 is supposedly a rebadged 8500 with a slight higher speed.. im pretty sure alot of places are still selling 8500 64mb or 128mb for around 60

 

[DarkKnight]

you can get and 8500 on ebay too. also, the radeon 9100 is an 8500le, so if u find a normal 8500, it will give better performance. Definately get rid of the 5200NU, its junk and not worth the money

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: dennisjai215
9100 64mb scores me about 10k in 3dmark01se and it cost about 55 bucks

yeah that's a good video card. (Radeon 8500)
the score is about what it should be. depends on kind of games are being played. I'd probably just leave it for younger kids.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Damn! the G4 MX IGP scores higher than that 5200 does :disgust:

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: DarkKnight
you can get and 8500 on ebay too. also, the radeon 9100 is an 8500le, so if u find a normal 8500, it will give better performance. Definately get rid of the 5200NU, its junk and not worth the money

Well, today I returned those 5200's and I'm feeling good about it. Although now I have almost $300 in BB store credit. I'm sure eventually I'll use it up.

If I need to go new for those 3 video cards I'll probably go with a suggestion some gave me weeks ago with the Sapphire 9200 64MB/128-bit from newegg for $53.50 shipped. As for used... now I'll have to post another thread asking about a video card in the $60 range that doesn't pull too much power from the PS. Why? Those 3 boxes I got made by AOpen only have 200W PSs. That only means that I would be afraid to get used Ti4600's or some other power hog.

Cheers.

 

[Pete]

What else is in those boxes? I'm pretty sure quite a few people have Radeon 9700s and 9800s in 220W Shuttles with relatively fast P4s.

Heck, I'd offer to sell you my 9100 64MB as an excuse/impetus to upgrade to something faster, but the cheap fan seems to need replacing every few months (quick call to Visiontek), and you may not be willing to deal with that. Otherwise it's a fine all-around card, and it should be generally faster than a 9200.

But $300 in store credits is close to a new PC altogether, isn't it?