moving from GF2 GTS to 9600XT or 9600NP, which is worth it?

[Eradicator]

I have posted above moving from my gf 2 GTS to a ti4200 but after I tried one from newegg and it was DOA I am going to go for a new card. Rather than get a "new" ti4200 I am considering either this card for $95 9600 non pro or 9600xt for $148. I have an ECS L7S7A2 mobo with a XP1600 in it right now and will probably move to a speedier processor in the next 8 months. So would I be better served laying out the $95 now instead of laying out the over 50% price difference for the 9600xt. I am not a bleeding edge gamer. I play HL, COD and BF1942 and I do not have to have all the bells and whistles on. I actually do not mind the performace I am getting with my GF2 GTS at 800x600.

Suggestions

 

[otispunkmeyer]

well i would say one of two things.....if your gonna buy now and dont plan on upgrading for a while get the 9600 XT, it will provide that extra power for when its needed later down the line......but if you plan on upgrading after a few month, say if you were waiting for the new generation cards, then get the 9600NP jus as a filler before u get something better

but the 9600 XT would be my choice.....but then it would when its only 117 quid where i live!!!

the 9600 XT will let u play 1024x768 which looks far better than 800x600.....and at very very good FPS, you could even get away with AA and AF.....i think you'd be happiest with the XT it will last u longer.

 

[Matthias99]

I actually do not mind the performace I am getting with my GF2 GTS at 800x600.

I would then start to question the wisdom of upgrading at all (although the GF2 is choking your system even with just 1600+ in there; I would not upgrade the processor before you got a newer graphics card).

I'd take a look at some recent benchmarks that include BF1942 and COD. This is only one benchmark, granted, but in this case the 9600XT is almost 50% faster than the 9600NP in BF1942 (and is almost triple the speed of a GF4MX, which is about as fast as your GF2 GTS). However, I suspect the *best* idea if you want to upgrade would be to look for a used 9700Pro or 9800NP (which perform almost identically), or an NVIDIA 5900/5900XT/5900SE. The 9800Pro for about $215 is also a pretty good deal, although it's a bit more than you're probably looking to spend. Any of *those* cards will be fast enough to last you quite a while (and will be a HUGE upgrade across the board from your GF2).

 

[MajorCatastrophe]

If you don't plan on upgrading for a while, get the 9600XT. Although, if you say you can live with your GF2 at 800x600 for the time being, you might as well wait a month (maybe two for real reviews) to see what the next-gen cards form ATI and nVidia are like.

I'm still clinging to my GF2 GTS and as much as I want a 9800pro today I reckon a midrange next-gen card will be a better buy than current-gen high-end card for similar money.

 

[Eradicator]

Thanks for all the feedback. I will look into a used 9700Pro or 9800NP on ebay for a basis to compart $$$.

Can't check this kinda stuff at work :-(