Graphics card. Which one to buy?!

[squidman]

Hi, im planning to buy a GC, and i dunno which one to pick!

I have to select one from the following:

ATI 9500PR

ASUS V9480 (on GeForce 4800 SE)
ASUS V9280S (Super Fast on 4200)

Their performance is pretty much the same, prices too. Which one do i go with?

 

[bluemax]

No way... the 9500 Pro is by far the fastest of the pack you listed.

If you're after speed and quality, the ATI 9500 Pro. Hands down.

That said, keep your eyes open for any super deals on a TI4200 which, while slower, is still a great card and if you find a sale, is a pretty decent deal. Heck, if you use that dangerous logic, you can get a dirt-cheap Radeon 8500LE and still get super performance for $50-60 tops. (That's me... always on the cheap.)

Keep your eyes open for the 9600 Pro though... not quite as fast as the 9500 Pro, but can overclock to more than make up for it, doesn't require additional power plugs, runs cooler and is actually significantly cheaper - if you can find one other than ATI.com's online ordering.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

As previously said, the 9500 Pro. You may want to look into the 9700 Non Pro version

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
As previously said, the 9500 Pro. You may want to look into the 9700 Non Pro version

Very true! Keep your eyes peeled for a Radeon 9700 non-pro for just over $200. EASILY the best performer for that price range!!

 

[MangoTBG]

I just ordered a 9600pro from monarchcomputers (search pricewatch.com for the exact link). They have fantastic resllerratings at resllerratings.com, and I'm going to give them a perfect 10 out of 10. Great prices, and they shipped sameday. I'll be getting it tomorrow so check back for my overclocking results! Definately one to consider! However, I think it's ugly :*( as all hell!

 

[FearoftheNight]

Yea 9600 is ugly. But at least you don't need a damn extra molex connection running behind ur case window.

 

[human2k]

ATI OEM Radeon 9500 PRO 128MB 8xAGP from mwave.com, $172, it doesn't get any easier than this. If your wallet allows, ATI OEM Radeon 9700 for $240.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: human2k
ATI OEM Radeon 9500 PRO 128MB 8xAGP from mwave.com, $172, it doesn't get any easier than this. If your wallet allows, ATI OEM Radeon 9700 for $240.

I think newegg has the 9700 non pro a little cheaper than $240, you can also try looking for a refurbished one if that interests you...

 

[MangoTBG]

Don't do refurbished...That's just way too much trouble. Newegg indeed has the 9700pro for 229...I almost bought it thinking they lowered the 9700pros to 229, then caught my mistake of choosing "ati 9700" over "ati 9700 pro"! Yikes! Anywho, Did you ever say your pricerange?

 

[snidy1]

I vote for the 9500 pro

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: MangoTBG
Don't do refurbished...That's just way too much trouble. Newegg indeed has the 9700pro for 229...I almost bought it thinking they lowered the 9700pros to 229, then caught my mistake of choosing "ati 9700" over "ati 9700 pro"! Yikes! Anywho, Did you ever say your pricerange?

The only difference between 9700 and 9700 PRO is clockspeed. It's still 256-bit and still has the same 8 pipelines.
It'll outperform a 9500 Pro handily, especially at high-res with AA/AF!

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: bluemax

Originally posted by: MangoTBG
Don't do refurbished...That's just way too much trouble. Newegg indeed has the 9700pro for 229...I almost bought it thinking they lowered the 9700pros to 229, then caught my mistake of choosing "ati 9700" over "ati 9700 pro"! Yikes! Anywho, Did you ever say your pricerange?

The only difference between 9700 and 9700 PRO is clockspeed. It's still 256-bit and still has the same 8 pipelines.
It'll outperform a 9500 Pro handily, especially at high-res with AA/AF!

ANd not to mention will overclock to 9700 Pro speeds

 

[Markfw]

Go with what the budget allows, and what you need. If you can get a 9700pro, do it, it will OC higher than anything. But in most games even a 9100 is "OK", and a 9500 pro is killer. The 9700 pro just wipes the floor with them all, and if you need it (or can afford it and want to anyway), then do it !!

 

[squidman]

Thanks all!
I looked at benchmarks - and even more confused.
Regular 9700 outperforms all. But Asus 4800 is almost the same as 9500 PRO, and the Super Fast (275 Core, 600 memory) 4200 is SLGHTLY slower the 9500Pro or 4800, yet it costs 145. I've considered the 9600 PRO - but its slower 4800, yet more expensive.
I really dunno what to pick now...though the scales tip in favor of the 8500 Pro.

Thanks all!!!

 

[DannyBoy]

The 4200 & 4800 in NO WAY compare to the speed of a 9500, 9600 or 9700 when AA/AF is enabled.