Need help with selecting a new video card.

[GermyBoy]

I game only every now and then, and have been out of the videocard loop for a long time, so I don't know what is good and what isn't anymore, but I do know what I want, and I want the best bang for my buck of course.

Here is what I want...

Cost: ~$120 or less (not including shipping)
Speed: Much faster than my ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 32MB DDR
RAM: 128MB minimum (I have this thing where I only get something if its 4x something, so RAM must be 4x the size)
Monitor support: Dual monitors, CRT and DVI, or dual DVI would be fine too.

Thanks for any help you can give!!

 

[nick1985]

you can grab a ti-4200 128 meg for that price. people are going to recommend 9500's but they will not accept the fact that you have a budget and will keep recommending them


<-------puts on flame suit for commiting the mortal anandtech sin of recomending nvidia

 

[GermyBoy]

Which of the bunch of nVidea card manufactorers is the best, or at least has a quality product?

 

[EXman]

I'd get a 128mb 4200 as well you can get one for under $120 shipped no problem in FS/FT forum last one I got was $110 shipped for an Albatron. runs great and alot of 4200's OC to 4400-4600 speeds. Ebay has them cheap too but I'd get one here b4 ebay.

 

[Schadenfroh]

128mb 4200, hands down without a doubt

 

[1ManArmY]

Isn't the 64 MB 4200 faster because of the clock speeds? I don't even know if they are still available. 4200 will be just fine for a budget card.

 

[GermyBoy]

I think I'm going to get the Albatron from GameVE.com. It's the cheapest on pricewatch, at 115.75 shipped.

 

[EXman]

Love my Albatron 4200! good choice

 

[DrMrLordX]

So, are the 64 meg Ti 4200 cards actually faster than the 128 megs ones? Pricewatch still has 64 meg Ti 4200 cards available. There's an MSI one for $96 after shipping.

I'm sure if it's just a clock speed issue, the 128 meg versions could be OCed a bit.

 

[selfbuilt]

Memory clock speeds are typically slower on the 128MB versions to offset the higher cost (i.e. they use cheaper, therefore slower, mem chips). Core speeds are the same. And yes, you could potentially o/c, but the same is true for 64MB version.

In any case, this was more of an issue with the early 128MB Ti4200s ... I understand the newer 8X AGP versions tend to have better memory. But it varies with each manufacturer.

As a general rule, you get what you pay for.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: GermyBoy
Which of the bunch of nVidea card manufactorers is the best, or at least has a quality product?

MSI is very good

 

[Mem]

MSI products normally have the best software bundles as well,other brands to look at(GF4 TI4200 wise) are Leadtek,Gainward,Albratron,I think it`ll probably come down to price between the brands for your budget.