Radeon 8500 V 9000 Pro

[SirTomster]

I am finally deciding to upgrade my old card.

But since I cannot go crazy I have to only spend around $100 - $130 range. Yeah I am cheap. But since I only get to play a few hours a day, I can live with this card.

I have found a 8500 in this range. 64MB. NOT LE.

Or there is the 9000 Pro 128MB.

Heck the 8500 is cheaper than the 9000....

What do you recommend? Other options are possible too. Just looking around and those two stand out to me. Originally I was going to get the 9000 but the numbers on the 8500 seems to tell me to get that card instead.

Since I will not probably upgrade for awhile I do want DX8 compatiblity.

Please Help. And Thanks!

Oh. Athlon XP 1600+ Processor on an Shuttle AK31 MB. Currently 256 DDR Memory.

Anything else needed to know!

Thanks!

 

[AnAndAustin]

Looking at your setup you may want to try o/c'ing that XP1600+, otherwise XP2000+ are pretty cheap, even so the XP1600+ at stock is still pretty speedy and able to get very good results from any sub $150 gfx card. 256MB DDR is very good but do consider adding more, pref another 256MB and certainly if you run WinXP.

Anyway, Rad9000 and 9000PRO are both nearly always slower than a Rad8500LE (about 10% slower than a Rad8500). The 9000 series is a cut down, cheaper to make 8500 so while 8500's are out there go for those. The 8500 series unlike the 9000 series also get a boost from 128MB so if you go 8500 series an 8500LE-128MB is preferable to a Rad8500-64MB. One thing to watch for in the 8500 series is clock speed as they vary quite considerably, 230/230 to 250/250 are about where the clocks should be.

The GF4TI4200 is in your price range and is better than an 8500 although not HUGELY so do check the price diffs. The 4200-8X 128MB and std 4200 with 64MB use slightly higher clocks than the std 4200 128MB but they are all very close perf wise. The GF4TI cards pull away more significantly when used with a faster CPU so if you plan to upgrade the CPU during the life of your new card I'd strongly suggest a 4200. Anyway Rad9000PRO, Rad8500LE, Rad8500 and GF4TI4200 are all fine choices and I think they'll all make you happy!

 

[ScrewFace]

You may want to get a RADEON 9100 when they come out. ATI realises the popularity of their retail RADEON 8500 128MB (275/275) so they are bringing it back as the RADEON 9100.

 

[NEVERwinter]

or you can find Radeon 8500LE (250/250) 128MB, it's great and overclockble to 275/275 (so you now have a non-LE card)

 

[movinslow]

Originally posted by: ScrewFace
You may want to get a RADEON 9100 when they come out. ATI realises the popularity of their retail RADEON 8500 128MB (275/275) so they are bringing it back as the RADEON 9100.

I'm looking to get a new card and spend $100. I seem to have found a retail 8500 128mb that fits the bill. My only concern is with this new 9100 being released, how will it affect the "legacy" radeon 8500 cards? I wouldn't want to be stuck with a card that would lose driver support or something like that.

Thanks

ps. ati already lists their radeon 8500 cards as "legacy"

 

[AnAndAustin]

No need to worry, both nVidia and ATI fully support even their ancient cards, and Rad9000, 9100 and 8500 all share the same drivers anyway (thy're 99% the same thing). Do look at the Rad8500 series but depending on where you live you may find the GF4TI4200 is chepaer fo hardly any more and is generally a better buy. Rad9000PRO, Rad8500LE, Rad8500 and GF4TI4200 are all VERY good cards and all should make you happy.

 

[Dyflam]

Are there certain brand names to avoid when purchasing a TI 4200?

 

[AnAndAustin]

Steer clear of Evga, AOpen and non-GS Gainwards as they are known to skimp on some of their 4200 cards, other than that there's VERY little diff so go mostly on features, bundle and price!

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: NEVERwinter
or you can find Radeon 8500LE (250/250) 128MB, it's great and overclockble to 275/275 (so you now have a non-LE card)

should find one of these for 100 bucks, bro has the 64mb le, oc's well, good card....tho you may find a gf 4 4200 for 130 or so, id rather have one of those myself