is it worth upgrading

[easty]

my geforce 3 ti 200 to a gforce 4 4600 (my computer has 1.2ghz,512mb ram gigabyte 7ixe4 motherboard thanks

 

[spanky]

if u want to play the newer games at high resolutions, then yes.

 

[Emultra]

I think your card is a little "too good" to be upgraded into a Ti4600.
I say wait for the next nVidia and ATI generations to come.

 

[AnAndAustin]

I'd hold on to your GF3TI200, if you had a top CPU then it would be worth considering but the GF4TI cards won't produce much extra because of the CPU. Save your cash and see what ATI and nVidia do next would be my advice. Also the GF4TI4200 would be a wiser choice (unless you have money to spare), it is faster than GF3TI500 and Radeon8500, won't devalue as quickly as the 4400/4600 cards, o/c fantasticly AND it costs a lot less too. GF4TI4200 $140, GF4TI4600 $300.

Anyway, here's a few 3Dmark2001 benchmarks to give you an indication of what you would find with your current Athlon1.2ghz (gfx card: total marks, high detail games FPS):

1024x768x32:
GF3 TI200: 6500, 37, 54, 48, 35
GF4TI4200: 7500, 35, 81, 47, 35
GF4TI4600: 8500, 37, 92, 48, 56

1024x768x32xAA:
GF3 TI200: 4400, 64, 59, 65, 20
GF4TI4200: 6000, 30, 66, 39, 25
GF4TI4600: 6600, 30, 76, 41, 34

 

[Emultra]

In other words, I, with my GeForce 2 PRo 64 MB, should wait for the big guys to make their next moves as well?
Anyway, goodnight, it's 2:15 a.m. here.
Anandtech Forever.
Technology Forever.

 

[joe678]

i dont see why u would need to upgrade to play any games out there now...

 

[Flatline]

I would say stick with your card until you actually NEED a new one. Your card is plenty powerful enough for pretty much anything out there right now.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Emultra, if you've got a half decent CPU then a gfx card upgrade is long overdue! In the US & Canada the Radeon8500LE ($100) is an excellent buy, great image quality and VIVO and perf just above a GF3TI200, even when both are o/c. GF4TI4200 cards ($140) are great and will age better than any other card at the mo, plus they o/c like mad! Let me know your CPU and I can post you some comparisons from 3Dmark2001, but whatever you really should upgrade that GF2.

Waiting for ATI and nVidia's next move is only really worth it for those guys already with a GF3 or Radeon8500 card, while no longer top of the line, they still cut the mustard! Regarding the new cards, AGP8x is more about marketing than perf gain and games which take advantage of DX9 will be about a year away in any real numbers, by then bigger and better cards will be out anyway. So it would only really come down to comparitive perf to the GF4TI cards, but I seriously doubt there will be $150 versions of these new cards. ATI will release their suped up Radeon8500 in that price bracket, should equal GF4TI4200 (providing the AA doesn't still suck). The new cards will be in the $400 price range (with Matrox P512 he he), the GF4TI4400/4600 cards will devalue but I wouldn't expect 4200 to devalue much whatever happens, I can't see how ATI or nVidia could produce such a good card for much less than $150. This is all IMHO, but it is based on educated estimations.

 

[Flatline]

Jesus, the 8500LE is $100???? That's what I have right now and it's a great card...if you want to upgrade, that is a superb price/performance for ya!

 

[AnAndAustin]

That's right Flatline, just don't ask what Radeon prices are like outside the US & Canada! GF3 is cheaper than Radeon7500 and GF4TI is cheaper than Radeon8500! What are ATI playing at?

Pricewatch is what I use for all US$ pricing, everybody seems to love NewEgg so that's certainly worth a look too.

 

[hans007]

if you decide to upgrade. i've got a ti4600 sitting here for $264 shipped.

 

[Deeko]

Keep it for now. Sure, the 4600 will be faster, but not enough to warrent the cost. Wait until you notice your games not running as well...or until a new card comes out that has enough features to warrent the upgrade(possibly the R300?)

 

[MCS]

If you've got a GF2 I would say now is as good a time as any to jump on a Geforce4!
If you've got a GF3 or better I would say wait unless you REALLY want to have the latest.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Thanks for backing me up MCS. But don't forget for those GF2/Rad7500 type owners with slower CPUs ( < 900mhz or so) or a very tight budget the GF3TI200 and Rad8500LE offer excellent perf and would save them $50. I would still suggest they invest the extra $50 and consider upgrading their CPU, but all three cards give exceptional perf for their cost.