Think I've narrowed it down - 4600/9600

[jrossi]

I was going with a more budget card, but my dad has offered to buy my card for me. Pretty sweet, but I do believe I need to keep it below $150, towards $100 would be ideal, but I would be able to get it up to $150 possibly.

My choices (from reading reviews) seem to be the Ti 4600 or the 9600 Pro. Problem is, short story, I'm a n00b when it comes to video. I posted earlier about going from an integrated K6 300 board to this system that is nearly complete (2500+, 512 XMS 3200, KT600), and need a card that will play Flight Sim 2004 and DVDs down the road. That's all the requirements I have, but I know NOTHING about different manufacturers like Sapphire, MSI, Powercolor, etc.

I've read reviews and searched posts, but I have no idea what all this stuff means, and which one I'm really looking for to fill my needs.

And yes, $150 is a hard ceiling.

Thanks

 

[ctk1981]

Id go ahead with the 9600 pro and opt for some overclocking. Those things were pretty good if I remember right. With that you will get DX9 which would enable you to play HL2 and some of the newer games, although I woudlnt expect rocket performance here.

Sapphire is the OEM maker for ATi cards. However some have reported getting cards that were underclocked from what they should have been. Be careful if you decide to get one of those, make sure you're getting one with the right core/mem mhz. I think its supposed to be 400/600mhz if I remember right. Good luck.

 

[Corporate Thug]

9600 XT @ allstarshop is $155

 

[high]

Oh yeah 9600 without a doubt. The 4600 is SO last year.

 

[jrossi]

One more thing: If I cannot swing a 9600 Pro (ATI, Sapphire or otherwise), what would be the next step down and how much of a difference would there be? I don't know if my dad will be shopping B&M or online, so prices may vary.

For example if my dad was shopping B&M, then the most I would probably be able to swing would be an ATI 9600np or SE, or an off-brand 5600 Ultra.

I'll email him to see what his plans are, but I need to know just in case he's buying it local.

 

[jrossi]

There is a Powercolor 9600 Pro (400/600) locally that I was going to pick up today. It is more than what my budget said, but I talked him into just sending me what he was going to pay for a 9600EZ ($130) and I'm paying the difference for this one, unless someone says stay away. It's gotten good reviews on newegg, and I always have the option of taking it back if it doesn't work the way I like it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-219&depa=1

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Stay away from Powercolor if possible, they use cheap stuff.

Get the 9600 PRO, not the others. There is a huge difference.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: shady06
9600 XT @ allstarshop is $155

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: jrossi
There is a Powercolor 9600 Pro (400/600) locally that I was going to pick up today. It is more than what my budget said, but I talked him into just sending me what he was going to pay for a 9600EZ ($130) and I'm paying the difference for this one, unless someone says stay away. It's gotten good reviews on newegg, and I always have the option of taking it back if it doesn't work the way I like it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-219&depa=1[/q

so your going for the 9600pro? that is a very good choice
the TI 4600 is old hat now, built only for speed, its Anti Alias and Anisotropic Filtering settings will slow the card down alot

the 9600 can do both speed and impressive image quality at once (6xAA and 16xAF) it is built on a smaller process also at .13 micron it runs alot cooler and with simple Overclocking tools such as RadClocker you can see impressive speed gains with stability to boot.

the 9600 will give you DX9 support, and im sure that FS2004 required this to look its best, correct? you'll also be able to play all the next gen games too! the 9600pro can already whoop the ass of the $499 5900 ultra so it definately offers best bang for your buck.

9600pro all the way man, the GF4 is oldschool

 

[otispunkmeyer]

according to club3d

the 9600EZ has the same core speed @400mhz but slower memory at 200,
but it has a 256bit memory bus as apposed to the 128bit of the pro. not sure i trust the info tho.

 

[jrossi]

The various reviews have it performing well. It may not be an actual ATI card, but if it does what I need it to, we'll be ok.

 

[capodeloscapos]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
according to club3d

the 9600EZ has the same core speed @400mhz but slower memory at 200,
but it has a 256bit memory bus as apposed to the 128bit of the pro. not sure i trust the info tho.

its wrong, the 9600 Pro EZ (powercolor) has 128 bits memory controller.

 

[jrossi]

I actually got a Powercolor 9600XT for $20 more, because they were OOS on the 9600 Pro. Half-Life2 for free is pretty cool, even though I don't know what Half Life is, besides a game.

 

[Blastman]

Originally posted by: jrossi
I actually got a Powercolor 9600XT for $20 more, because they were OOS on the 9600 Pro. Half-Life2 for free is pretty cool, even though I don't know what Half Life is, besides a game.

Good stuff. 9600XT is a lot better than the ?EZ? 9600 pro?s.

 

[JustStarting]

9600 no doubt.