Looking at a gf4 ti4200...

[AntaresVI]

I'm currently running an Athlon XP 1800+ setup with 128 megs of DDR and a Radone Le 32. I would liek to address the vid card and ram bottlenecks.

I'm ooking at a ti4200 from Newegg, and I've noticed the 64 meg and 128 meg cards from MSI based on their software bundles an favorable reviews.

Basically, my dilemma is this: If i get a 128meg, i have the best performance for the money I spend, but I cant afford any more RAM. With the 64, I can get the card and 128 more megs of ram but my card isnt the best.

What would you do? I have about $170 to spend. Suggestions?

Thanks, guys.

Matt

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well firstly considering upping your budget, that extra $20ish will mean you don't have to compromise. Secondly you NEED more RAM more than anything, I'd say if you must compromise then buy more RAM (256MB?) and then save up for a 4200-128, NV28 should be out soon so waiting a couple of weeks while you save may prove advantageous. Thirdly don't restrict yourself to a particular manu for any GF4TI card as it makes virtually no diff at all, go for the price first, features second (VIVO etc) and bundle third.

4200-64MB is a very good card and unlike the Rad8500 or GF3 cards it yums up every mhz your CPU can throw at it so it's very well suited to XP1800+. However 64MB is already becoming a significant limitation in some current games and this will certainly be the case for many new games. Case in point a 4200-64MB should go from 250/500 to 300/600 BUT when more than 64MB is req even its o/c will 'only perf' equiv to a 4200-128MB at DEFAULT clocks of 250/444, 4200-128MB are certainly worth the extra $20ish, nearly all 4200-128MB hit about 300/550 which still exceed GF4TI4400 speeds!

So in short, I'd suggest you consider the savings offered by a 128MB Rad8500 or GF3 card over a 64MB 4200, although you really do want a 4200-128MB card. However that is pointless if you only have 128MB system RAM, so I'd suggest getting that sorted first. Perhaps you should consider 128MB DDR and a 4200-128MB, you should find that within your budget although a 256MB stick should cost very little more. Sorry for rambling but it's 2:35am over here and I'm completely knackered!

 

[Deeko]

My suggestion is to save up a little and get both the 128MB version and the extra RAM But if thats not an option, get the 64MB version and the RAM over the 128MB version.

 

[AnAndAustin]

I def rec upgrading the RAM and getting the 4200-128 in seperate orders if necessary. If that's not an option then a 4200-64 and more RAM is certainly pref to a 4200-128 and no extra system RAM, although if you tread that path I'd suggest seeing how the 128MB Rad9000PRO, Rad8500 and GF3 cards stack up in price, when 128MB is needed these cards will give VERY near the perf of a 4200-64 even if the 4200 is o/c'ed to near 4600 clock speeds (which is why there aren't any GF4TI4600 64MB cards).

EDIT: Just to reiterate, brand doesn't metter at all for GF4TI cards so any 4200-128 will do.

Pricewatch

ATI Atlantis Rad9000 128MB $88
GF3TI200 128MB $106
ATI Rad8500 128MB $107
Inno3D 4200-64 $119
Chaintech 4200-128 $126
Powercolor Rad9000PRO 128MB $128
ATI Rad9000PRO 128MB $135

128MB PC2100 $21
256MB PC2100 $46