How low should I go?

[Cerb]

My GF4 Ti 4200 went and screwed up on me during an upgrade a couple days ago. I need something to get me by and that will do games alright, but not too expensive, given I still need to buy gifts and don't have much money.
So...
GF FX 5200nu $70
Radeon 9100 $70 (can't seem to find benchmarks)
...or are there better cards for near as little money?
Note that this will hopefully not be a long-term purchase, but I need something to game with for the time being.

 

[modedepe]

Definitely do not get the fx5200. The 9100 would be alright. If you don't mind a used card then look in the fs forum. You can probably get a used ti4200 for around $70.

 

[Schadenfroh]

g4 TI4200 128mb for as cheap as you can find it

 

[klah]

The 9100's are all of the left over 8500's rebadged.

You are better off with another 4200 than either of those two cards.

edit: and to reiterate, stay away from the fx5200.

 

[Blastman]

Benches with 9100 and 5200 ...

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/value-2003/index.html

EDIT: 9100 looks about as fast as the 5200U, it is much better than a 5200.

 

[Rogodin2]

9100

None of my g4tis were better than my 8500LE (300/300)-even more so when running 2xAA and 8xAF.

rogo

 

[Corporate Thug]

4200 pwns 5200

 

[Cerb]

I know the 4200 is far, far better than the 5200...but it's christmas time and I don't have even $100 to spend on this stuff, and also don't want a card with subpar visual quality (I know I can get Chaintech and eVGA 4200 64MBs for my price point, but I've seen one of the older chaintech 4200s in action, and it looked pretty bad). Also, I could not find benchmarks on the 9100, but figured it was alright for the $, given the specs and the benches I found on the 9200.

Given the benches for the 9100, that looks like my choice.

 

[GreatDaleness]

Originally posted by: Cerb
I know the 4200 is far, far better than the 5200...but it's christmas time and I don't have even $100 to spend on this stuff, and also don't want a card with subpar visual quality (I know I can get Chaintech and eVGA 4200 64MBs for my price point, but I've seen one of the older chaintech 4200s in action, and it looked pretty bad). Also, I could not find benchmarks on the 9100, but figured it was alright for the $, given the specs and the benches I found on the 9200.

Given the benches for the 9100, that looks like my choice.

Those benchmarks are at 250/250. Many 9100s are not 250/250, so make sure the one you get is. I prefer the 9200 here for the same price. Passive cooled and almost as fast.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: GreatDaleness

Originally posted by: Cerb
I know the 4200 is far, far better than the 5200...but it's christmas time and I don't have even $100 to spend on this stuff, and also don't want a card with subpar visual quality (I know I can get Chaintech and eVGA 4200 64MBs for my price point, but I've seen one of the older chaintech 4200s in action, and it looked pretty bad). Also, I could not find benchmarks on the 9100, but figured it was alright for the $, given the specs and the benches I found on the 9200.

Given the benches for the 9100, that looks like my choice.

Those benchmarks are at 250/250. Many 9100s are not 250/250, so make sure the one you get is. I prefer the 9200 here for the same price. Passive cooled and almost as fast.

Didn't notice that. All of Newegg's, at least under $90, of 8500LE, 9100 and 9200 are at 250/200. I think I might jump a few dollars up and get the Sapphire 128MB 9200.

 

[DaveSimmons]

look in FS/FT for a cheap ti 4200.

Hmm, is a fx5200 even faster than a used $50 geforce 3?

 

[VIAN]

Dude what do you expect. You're not gonna get an almight graphics card for less than 100. I say get the 4200 128MB.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Dude what do you expect.

I expected the card to stay working.

You're not gonna get an almight graphics card for less than 100.

I didn't know I was requesting one. A Ti 4200 64MB is what's being replaced, and it's a year and a half since it was new. Generally that's long enough for such things to come down...instead it looks like most stores just don't have the 64MB cards anymore, and the only cheap ones are Chaintech, eVGA and the like. CHaintech at least I know don't look as good as what I had. A Sapphire Radeon should.

I say get the 4200 128MB.

If I could find one from a nicer brand under $100, I'd get one. If I hadn't very clearly switched cooling, I'd get a replacement from Abit. I know it would be worth the extra money for a 4200, but it's that extra money or Christmas gifts...my PC isn't worth THAT much that I'd short somebody a gift over it. The 9200 looks like it will serve alright.