Geforce4 Ti 4200 or Radeon 9500 Pro ?

[GizmoFreak]

I don't even really do that much gaming, but I want a card that will last me a long time. So I've come down to a Gainward Geforce4 Ti4200 8x 128MB or a 3DConnect Radeon 9500 Pro 128MB. From all the reviews and benchmarks I've scoured, it seems like they're pretty close.

Any advice or recommendations? If I'm not doing much gaming, should I just go for whichever is cheaper?
Also is DirectX 9 support useful for anything other than gaming?

 

[selfbuilt]

They are both great cards, but the Radeon 9500 Pro is a better performer at stock speeds (especially if AA and AF are turned on). It is also a DX9 card which the ti4200 isn't, but this is really only an issue for future games. I would (and did!) go for the 9500 Pro over a Ti4200.

 

[DClark]

If you're not doing much gaming, then you'd probably be better off going to something like a 64mb Radeon 8500LE or Radeon 9100. Newegg sells the 64mb versions of each for under $75usd.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: DClark
If you're not doing much gaming, then you'd probably be better off going to something like a 64mb Radeon 8500LE or Radeon 9100. Newegg sells the 64mb versions of each for under $75usd.

yeah, just pretend nvidia doesnt even exhist all-together

 

[dfloyd]

You will get more mileage out of the 9500 Pro. Its about the same as the 4200 but is way faster with FSAA/AF turned on. Faster than the 4600 in some cases.

 

[WheelsCSM]

of the two, I would say that the 9500 Pro will last you longer. That's the one I would pick...

 

[DClark]

Nick, the only decent nVidia product for around $75 is the GeForce3 Ti200 (if you can still find one) and it's slower and provides less 2D IQ than the budget Radeons I listed above. Nvidia doesn't exist in the under $100 range because they chose to tweak a now almost 3 year old core (the NV15) and sell it on the laurels of the GeForce4 Ti series. The GeForce4 MX series are being sold by nVidia in 2003, yet they can't even complete every test in 3DMark2000!

The Ti4200 is a good card, but again, the NV25 core is a year old and does not match up well against the much newer R300 core (nor should it be expected to). If you're going to spend $140 on a GeForc4 Ti4200, you may as well spend $180 on a Radeon 9500 Pro because it will last much longer. The $75 Radeon 8500LE and 9100 can do everything a Ti4200 can do, just slower, making them worth the $65 savings to anybody who doesn't play games on a regular basis.

 

[MrPabulum]

And as an R8500 user (reg. version), I should say it can handle the latest games quite well (UT2003, C&C Generals, BF1942) at least at 1024 x 768, all details maxed. UT runs very well at 1152 X 864 with highest details, as does Generals! CS at 1600x1200! It just goes on and on. Still...if you're gonna spend 140, Wheels makes a great point: cough up a little more $$ and snag a nice 9500 Pro. Can't beat ATI 2d and 3d IQ. Nvidia makes great stuff, but ATI has them beat this time.

 

[nick1985]

where are you guys getting 140 from, you can get a 4200 for WAY less than that. i also think thast the 9500 pro is a good card, dont get me wrong

 

[DClark]

You can get a 64mb Ti4200 for around $110, but a 128mb Geforce4 Ti4200 8xAGP like what the original poster inquired about sells for $140 and up. The cheapest 128mb Gainward Ti4200 listed at Pricewatch.com sells for $148usd.

 

[silentScope]

I went for the Radeon 9500 PRO because it will last longer thanks to the DX9 compatibilities. And since DX9 just came out there wont be a DX10 for a looong time... and plus the 9500 PRO beats out the 4200 in every benchmark.