GeForce 2 upgrade to GeForce 4 - worth it?

[Nimrod]

Hi all,

I have a PIII 800 MH with 133 MH FSB, 256 MB PC133 RAM, and currently a GeForce2 GTS 64 MB graphcis card. I was thinking of upgrading to a GeForce 4 Ti4200 128 MB card and was wondering if there would be any noticeable performance gain, given my aging system. I do a fair amount of 3D intensive gaming and am pretty happy with my system at the moment. I'm just wondering if upcoming titles will still run as smoothly on my system.

Basically, I'm wondering if its possible to only upgrade my video card, rather than my whole system. I guess the 133 MH FSB of my mobo will limit me somewhat - but I'm wondering how viable the video card upgrade idea is.

All suggestions welcome =)

 

[snidy]

It would definitely be worth it, but you should eventually upgrade your motherboard and cpu.

 

[KouklatheCat]

I upgraded to a GF 4 Ti4400 from a GF2 GTS and there was a big difference. I noticed a differnce not only on 3dMark scores but the games looked much better, and I am running a higher resolution. For me it was worth it. I will probably be upgrading the GF2 GTS (that is now in my "guest" computer) again with a GF4 Ti4200.

 

[PG]

There would be a big difference, but with the new Matrox card coming out in a few days it might be a good idea to wait about a week.

 

[mellondust]

Same question for me too! I hope to play at the same resolutions, but crank up the details and antialiasing for the games I already have.

Is that matrox card for real? It seems it came out of no where, I wasn't even expecting anything from them in the 3d arena.

 

[Pocatello]

The Matrox should be here in July, but nvidia should have something new a couple of month later (September?), ATi will have something new in the Fall also. If you wait, there will always be something better coming.

 

[Booster]

<< The Matrox should be here in July, but nvidia should have something new a couple of month later (September?), ATi will have something new in the Fall also. If you wait, there will always be something better coming >>



Yes, I agree. And we have yet too see Parhelia's pricetag. I'm thinking of figures in the $500 range at least, looking at the specs.
I don't think that it's worth upgrading a GF2 to GF4 until you upgrade other components in your system - CPU, mobo and RAM. Otherwise the GF4 speed will be wasted, and you will not see any noticeable performance improvement.

 

[m1ke101]

yes i think it would be worth it to upgrade your video card, but seeing how the 4200 should be released soon, i think you should get that instead of the 4400.

 

[BFG10K]

Even with your slow CPU you'll still see a massive performance difference after the upgrade and your framerates will scale up nicely when you finally upgrade your CPU/motherboard.

 

[DARRIN]

Definitly upgrade.

 

[WooDaddy]

I'd have to agree as well. I'll be forgoing the wait for the Matrox card.

The Ti4200 is absolutely the best bang for the buck... Similar to buying an AMD processor (see sig).

The upgrade now from a G2 to G4 is definately worth it.

 

[Nimrod]

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the feedback. I think I'll snag a G4 4200 in the near future.

I may also try to overclock the FSB on my mobo as well from 133 to 166 (which should give me a PIII 1 GH). Would this increase in processor speed help much, or should I leave well enough alone and just get the new GeForce?

Maybe when the Matrox comes out it'll lower the price of the G4 4200 ...

Thanks again!

 

[jiffylube1024]

If I were you I would upgrade the CPU and motherboard instead. Since you have a P3 800 you could get a Celeron 1.0A or 1.1A (overclocked to 133 MHz FSB = 1.333 GHz or 1.466 GHz) and a Tualatin-capable motherboard (like the ASUS TUSL2-C) for about the same money ($200) ... not only would your whole system feel "snappier", but your graphics speeds should increase too, as the GeForce 2 scales nicely with faster CPU's. Personally, I think this is the best upgrade route right now ... heck you could also get the Ti4200 if you want as well, but seeing as you already have PC 133 memory and all, doubling your CPU speed for $200 bucks is a very nice proposition as well ;-) .

 

[KouklatheCat]

I would get the new GF4 Ti4200 when you can afford it and then play with the FSB on your processor. Then overclock the GF4 Ti4200.....