*UPDATE* Just ordered VisionTek xstasy 9500 pro :)

[modedepe]

Doom 3 should be out in march 2004, so it's still a while away. If you can wait that would be the best. By that time you should be able to get a 9700np around $160, maybe even a 9800np for that price. If you don't want to wait I think it still comes down to how much you want AA and AF. Look at some benchmarks. You can see that the ti4600 has more raw power with it off, but when on it falls behind.

Edit: Also link to benckmark anandtech did of 9 cards with doom 3. Too bad they didn't include a 4600 in this, but you can at least see what kind of performance you might get in the game with a 9600 pro. Though things can change quite a bit before a game's release.

 

[Vich]

Thats a very good point aswell as driver optimizations would help FPS...



Tell you the truth ive NEVER used AA/AF, i would alawys run q3 in poop mode so i could get 300fps constant (competitive days in q3 community)


So i still dunno!


But all of this posting really helps me alot to help decide.
-Rich

 

[mindless1]

It's the age-old question, how much are you really willing to spend now, and how soon would you upgrade again... what's the total annual expenditure for video cards and how much time do you want to spend selling the old card if you don't need it after upgrading again.

Considering that you're currently still using a GF2GTS and that this thread started with inquiry about an $80 video card, I would suggest the best buy for you right now is a GF4TI4200. If you keep an eye open for sales they can be had for under $90 (or about $70 as a Newegg refurb). It's true that EVENTUALLY the lack of DX9 support will be a drawback, but at that point faster DX9 (or DX10?) cards will be less expensive and it would be a relatively inexpensive upgrade again, considering that you can easily get >$40 out of reselling a GF4TI4200 in a year's time. When you can buy a card and sell it later for total cost of under $50 per year you're in the sweet spot for performance/price.

However, if you've never used FSAA simply because your cards weren't fast enough, go with an ATI card.. their drivers still aren't as good as nVidia's but are moving in that direction.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My Geforce3 TI500 won't run dx9. Windows won't even boot if I install it. I'm doomed to upgrade if I want to play anything that requires dx9.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have a Radeon 8500 AIW in my wife's computer and I'm quite less than impressed with it. Drivers suck and I hate the software package that comes with it. Took me a few different installs to get the card working on a fresh install of Windows and the ATI control panel is really obtrusive and annoying. I can't imagine going from nVidia to an ATI card on my main system...probably need to reload Windows...again.

I'm going to wait and see what happens over the next few month. I don't NEED to upgrade until Doom III or HL2 anyway.

 

[Pete]

Originally posted by: nick1985
a ti4800 will get higher frames than a 9600pro. hands down

Or not.

 

[Tab]

owned I hope VisionTek makes a R9600 Pro soon, considering Tyan's card sucks.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
My Geforce3 TI500 won't run dx9. Windows won't even boot if I install it. I'm doomed to upgrade if I want to play anything that requires dx9.

I had a GF3TI500 running in a system using DX9... the card will run under DX9 fine, just won't provide DX9 features in games. I"d suspect your windows installation was screwed up, which isn't to blame you, after all this IS windows we're talking about. Anyway, there's little point to installing DX9 with an older vidcard unless the game insists on it.

 

[Wedge1]

I would get the 9600pro rather than a 4200Ti. It will take advantage of what DX9 has to offer. It will run cooler because it's built on .13 microns. Unlike the other current ATI cards, it does not require external power (not that this is a huge issue, but it's worth knowing before buying). At overclocked speeds it will romp the 4200Ti easily, especially with AA and AF turned on/up. To me it's worth the extra $50.

Don't get me wrong. The 4200Ti is not a bad card. In fact I have the same card you currently have now (GF2 GTS) and I am an nvidia fan. I came close to getting the 4200Ti, but now I'm glad that I have waited.

Understand this: in the market of graphic cards the GF4 series is getting old quickly. And as for the 4800 and 4800SE, I would venture a guess that this is nvidia's way of selling chips at 4400 and 4600 speeds without having to lower the market price of the retail 4400 and 4600s (i.e., they are juicing these chips for every last dime they can get).

 

[Vich]

I think i made the right decision with the 9500 PRO. I dont like to overclock in fear that something might seize and i will need to RMA. (During college i rather have everything working so i can do my work).

I am hoping VisionTek is a good brand, and that when i get the card everything works!



-Rich

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well 4200 is THE card to get for those wanting a big upgrade from GF2/GF4MX type hw or for those who are happy to upgrade again in 6-12 months time when 9600PRO or better will be under 100 notes. If you don't change your card often I'd suggest waiting as the 9600PRO and flipchip FX5600ultra (neck and neck despite TomsHW) are still 'only' 4200 speed unless you get into AA+AF or DX9 becomes useful. If you can get a 9500PRO that offers perf just below a 9700 and most likely 9800SE and if you do wish to o/c you can hit 9700 perf and get pretty close to a 9700pro/9800 thanks to those 8 pipes which is now reserved only for the high end cards. If you managed to get a 9500PRO you should be VERY happy Vich.