Radeon vs. geforce 4, again..

[novice]

So it looks like my Visiontek Geforce 3 is starting to give up the ghost. (Artifacts even at default clock settings, hmmm, maybe there is something to that overclocking shortens product life thing) And I know there have been lots of posts regarding this type of question, but here goes anyway. Am looking hard at a oem Sapphire Radeon 9100 128 mb card from newegg for $76 shipped. Am also tempted by a refurb MSI Geforce 4 Ti4400 from compgeeks for $99.99 plus shipping. The refurb has only a 6 month warranty, but does come with a full software pack including Trend Micro PC-Cillin antivirus and a few full games. Obviously, the ti4400 would seriously outperform the Radeon 9100, but the Radeon is $30 cheaper and brand new. Also I have been kind of wanting to try an ATI card just to see how they are. (Have read many reports of driver issues, etc. but lately people have been saying that the ATI cards are now supposed to be very good) I have also found a retail 64 mb Tyan Radeon 9000 Pro that is clocked at default 275/275 for just $67.95. This is for my #3 system. Used for surfing, some office apps, light gaming. Currently has a K7T Turbo with XP1700+ Palomino, 512 mb of PC-133 ram, TB Santa Cruz and old Viewsonic 17" A70 monitor. Any ideas? TIA,
Chuck

 

[clicknext]

Obviously the Ti4400 would be a very good deal if it works, but that's a risk you take.

The 9100 should have about equal performance to your GF3 in most things. I've got an 8500 which is the same thing, and I havn't had any driver problems.

 

[xSauronx]

i liked my 8500le alot, which is basically what the 9100 is (though alot of them are clocked slow)

i wouldnt consider the 9000 pro. either the 9100 or the 4400
if you dont want a risk my bro got a 4200 from newegg for 89 shipped, retail card w/ 1 yr warranty. they may still have it, give em a look

 

[BFG10K]

The Ti4400 is the faster card but the Radeon 9100 will have higher image quality and will do extremely well at high resolutions and detail levels.