So if you had $200 to buy a video card....

[Hammersplat]

What would you buy? G4 4200 128 or a G4 4400 or would you wait a month and see what happens with pricing?

I was looking at the Albatron 4200P Turbo (high speed memory, 8 layer PCB) but its not available yet and the Asus board is posting for over $200 for the same type of board (too much for a 4200 in my mind). Your thoughts and input are appreciated.



Just noticed on Pricewatch that the Albatron 4600 is now priced at $230 and have read a pretty good review with the memory going up to 720 MHz. Food for thought

 

[styrafoam]

I'd spend $2 on a pci Virge and get $198 worth of Pabst.

No really, I would probably get the 4200. Unless money isnt an object, a 5-15 FPS difference probably isnt worth the cash. Go for the bargin.

 

[deadcell]

a gamecube with mario sunshine....hehehe. But i think i would shoot for a ti4200 128mb like most people will suggest, or just wait out a little longer to see how much the ti4600's drop......

 

[AnAndAustin]

If you already have a GF3 or Rad8500 I'd suggest sitting tight. Otherwise these can be picked up for about $90 and will give very ample perf while the market settles after NV18, NV28, NV30 and any other Rad9700 versions come out. Of course 4200-128MB is a star buy for about $150 and the enhanced 4200-128MB (Asus Deluxe or Suma Special Edition) or 4400 cards are also good buys and generally within your $200 budget ... and definitely worth it if you have a fast CPU.

 

[Hammersplat]

Well, I have a PIII 800 right now and over the next year will upgrade the mobo, cpu, mem (and case) and I'm looking for the better long term life of the card. I have the full $200 to spend on the vid card so I can spend that and maybe a little bit more. I think I'm going to wait a bit, see what the Albatron 4200p Turbo card prices at and how the prices change once the 9700 hits the streets.

Either that or I can go buy an Xbox, but I think I'd rather get the vid card for now.

 

[spanky]

there was a ti4600 on FS/FT for $210 shipped. it wa a visiontek tho... and u know about visiontek right?

 

[Hammersplat]

Yeah, I know whats going on with visiontek. However they did say that they would still be providing support for all their cards.

 

[acidvoodoo]

i just ordered a msi ti 4400 retail fropm newegg (with other parts). it cost 190 so with shipping it'll be around 200 i think

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: Hammersplat
Well, I have a PIII 800 right now and over the next year will upgrade the mobo, cpu, mem (and case) and I'm looking for the better long term life of the card. I have the full $200 to spend on the vid card so I can spend that and maybe a little bit more. I think I'm going to wait a bit, see what the Albatron 4200p Turbo card prices at and how the prices change once the 9700 hits the streets.

Either that or I can go buy an Xbox, but I think I'd rather get the vid card for now.

I would get a GF3 or Radeon8500 (preferred) for your current CPU. When you upgrade later next year, with the remaining $100 left, you can but the current top of the line cards then and you could sell your current GF3 or Radeon for ~50.

Your CPU is not fast enough to take advantage of GF4s yet.....so its your choice.

 

[sean2002]

I would buy a Radeon 8500LS from Newegg (250/275) and maybe a Audigy, or a 48X CD-RW

 

[AnAndAustin]

I agree completely gsethi. Get a 128MB GF3 or Rad8500 card now for about $100, by the time you get the rest of your kit up to spec you'll get decent improved perf from a GF3/Rad8500, sell it on for at least $50 and put that other $100 to getting something comparable to a Rad9700 (NV28, or 'budget version' of Rad9700/NV30 etc). Although if you are likely to be getting the new CPU within the next month or two then a GF4TI would still be advisable IMHO.