So w/o overclocking, what card for under $150?

[snowairg]

An extended family member asked me, so I pass the ? on to the forum now.

I need to find the best bang for the buck for $150 or less shipped to CA (which sux cause a lot of great e-tailers are in CA and charge tax). Must have VGA, DVI-I, and S-vid out.

Thanks guys!

 

[modedepe]

ti4200 for about $100, or a 9500pro refurb for $140.

 

[nick1985]

ti-4200 > 9500 non-pro IMO

 

[DahDee]

How about this (refurb XFX Ti4200 128 8x w/ dvi/vivo for $85):

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16814150025

 

[niggles]

9500 Pro if you can find it, 9600 if not. The 9600 overclocks like noones bidness! I had a 3DMark score of 1360 with my Asus 4200 Ti, I'm getting a score of 3600 with my 9600 Pro.

 

[Excelsior]

That is also because the 9600Pro is DX9 while the 4200 isnt.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: niggles
9500 Pro if you can find it, 9600 if not. The 9600 overclocks like noones bidness!

He stated without overclocking. Anyway, a 9600pro would be great if you can find one for $150, which I think you probably could..No way will you find a 9500 pro for that price though.

 

[DahDee]

Newegg has 3 different refurb 9500 pros in their latest (big) batch of refurb cards, each for under $135. I suppose there is definitely some risk there, considering they're refurbs, but at least it's Newegg.

Edit: Also saw 4 different refurb 9600 pros, including a Powercolor Ultra, each for under $135.

 

[snowairg]

Thanks so far everyone! I'm not sure about refurb's though. It's not my computer nor am I or anyone computer-knowledgeable going to be readily available to help if something goes wrong. And I'm not making the purchase, either, and I'm positive they won't like hearing "refurbished."

In summary...
+ 9500 Pro is going to be too much $$$...NO 9500 PRO
+ Ti4200 > 9500 NP...NO 9500 NP
+ Get a 9600 Pro if I can find one under $150

So if I can't find a 9600 Pro, is the 9600 NP still better than the Ti4200?

Thanks again so very much!

 

[modedepe]

So if I can't find a 9600 Pro, is the 9600 NP still better than the Ti4200?

9600pro > ti4200 > 9600np

 

[snowairg]

Even with AA and all that good stuff?

 

[modedepe]

With AA on a 9600 np should be faster than a ti4200.

 

[snowairg]

But overall Ti4200 wins...?

And to bring more cards into it...Is a Ti4400 just a faster clocked 4200? And a 4600 even faster?

 

[modedepe]

IMO, I don't feel the price/performance ratio of a 9600np is very good, so for me I wouldn't get one. As for ti4400, 4600, yes they're just the same card clocked higher. They aren't that good of a deal since ti4200's can hit 4600 speeds, although I know you said no overclock.

 

[snowairg]

Excellent! Thanks mucho!