So many video cards...which one?!?

[JC]

My budget is about $120 for a new vid card. My Voodoo5 and GF256DDR are getting long in the tooth

I'm thinking Radeon 8500LE 128mb, 9000Pro 128mb, or GF4 Ti4200 64mb. I'm not concerned with things like DVI, TV-out, etc. I am concerned with playing UT2k3

Opinions and links appreciated!

JC

 

[KoolHonda]

I don't have the specific cards you mentioned, but I have a Radeon 8500 and a GF4 4400ti both in 128MB flavors. IMO the ATI is a little better in DVD playback and in just plain lookin at webpages, etc. but as far as games go the GF4 beats it by a mile.

 

[sep]

JC (funny, that's my intials),

I 'm looking at a similar upgrade, $153 is my cap. My choices are:

ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB (retail)...googlegear $118.50 shipped
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 128MB (retail)...extremegear $120 shipped
Albatron 4200p 128MB (retail)...newegg $153 shipped

I'm leaning towards the 4200, but I wanted get everyone's apionion first.

Please get back to JC and JC everyone...I'm looking to order today!
Thanks
-JC (sorry thats how I close all my emails)

 

[sep]

JC,

I looked at several reviews and none of them are clear (that includes Anandtech's recent 9000 pro review). Because of these I can't recommend a 8500 128MB (not LE) or the 9000 pro. The 8500 definitly shows better performance in UT2003, but in the final words no of these review mention it to be better than the 8500!

My recommendation would be to get a 4200 128MB for UT2003. You can get one for as little as $139 shipped. I'm getting the Albatron today!

Or you could get the 9000 128MB (The only difference the Pro is a lower clock) for less than $90 shipped and wait until the December or January to get a better card!

good luck!

 

[Toxic]

I recently purchased a Gainward 4200/128 with just the TV out (I'll never use the VIVO stuff, so why bother with it, then again, I'll never hook a TV up to my computer either). I've been happy with it. You could save some cash by going with the 64MB, but I've seen price diffs between the two that really made going for the 128 card not an issue to me. You can never have enough memory, IMHO.

 

[AnAndAustin]

JC, it depends primarily on what CPU you are running, future upgrade plans and what you use your PC for.

The Rad8500LE (10% slower than Rad8500) is superior to the Rad9000PRO (20% faster than Rad9000). The Rads have 3D perf about equal to the GF3 cards, they lose out on AA but really benefit heavily from great image quality, dual display, TVout and DVD playback. A Rad8500LE or Rad8500 with 128MB can be found for under $100 and are great buys esp if your CPU is below an Athlon 1.4ghz as therer's less benefit to a GF4TI until your CPU exceeds this speed. Just check as clock speeds and functionality (dual display etc) often vary with manu and eom vs retail, worst hit is 10% perf and lack of dual display so check outt he price diffs, it may be worth it.

The GF4TI cards are enhanced GF3 cards sporting better 3D, AA, image quality, dual display, TVout/VIVO and they really get the most out of the faster CPUs. The best card to go for is the GF4TI4200-128MB which often o/c to 4400 speeds, very nice since they only cost $140-150. The 4200-64MB ($120-130) is also a good card and o/c's even better, but it isn't really a good idea to go for 64MB gfx RAM in any new card, there isn't a big diff in current games but there surely will be in the near future PLUS selling on any 64MB card is going to become very difficult. There are enhanced 4200-128MB cards which often reach 4600 speeds by using the more expensive 4400/4600 design and 3.3ns BGA RAM, eg Asus Deluxe, Suma Special Edition and Albatron P Turbo although these all tend to cost a fair bit more than the standard 4200 cards. For under $200 you can get GF4TI4400 which are about 10% faster than 4200, but 4600 only cost about $30 more and are again 10%ish faster than 4400. Manu makes VERY little diff for GF4TI cards so go by price, bundle and features.

For UT2003 the GF4TI4200 cards are tops, in fact for pretty much everything they are, fantastic all-rounders and my recommendation, esp if you have a mid to top range CPU or plan to get one in the near future.

PCstats - Albatron P Turbo
HardOCP - Asus Deluxe
Xbit Labs - Suma SE

Tech-Report - Rad9000PRO review (with other cards bms)
AnAndTech - Rad9000PRO review (with other cards bms)
GotApex - Average 4200-128MB review and what to expect from them

 

[Brian48]

Of the 3 you've mentioned, I'd opt for the ti4200. Great card and fastest of the bunch.

 

[JC]

Thanks for the replies and the links, guys

I think I'll save a few more pennies and get the GF4 4200 128mb.

JC