Video card for an athlon 1800+

[Sabredan]

Hi all,

I'm looking into replacing my gf4mx440 with a new video card. I'm ruling out the FX5200's because they're too close to the gf4mx, and also the high-end FX's and radeons (FX5800, 9700pro and beyond) because I think they'd be CPU limited (I have an AthlonXP 1800+).

I've also heard a lot of ppl are having trouble with ATI's (graphic artifacts, driver issues...) so I don't feel like getting an ATI. Maybe a FX5600/5600U could do the trick... any comments?

Thanks!

 

[Schadenfroh]

5600, just pop it in and boot up. uses same drivers as your current card, that is if you are running nvidias latest and greatest, but a 5600 is still gonna bottleneckt the heck out of a 1800. get a 2500 barton from new egg for less than 100 dollars and o/c it to a 3000.

 

[titanmiller]

I'll second the 5600.

 

[Sabredan]

Do you guys mean the 5600 or the 5600Ultra?

 

[Schadenfroh]

non ultra in your case. you need to save for a new cpu.

 

[Sabredan]

So the 5600 seems the way to go... if I also get a higher CPU (say, a 2600+ or the like) would I also have to change the HSF?

 

[Sabredan]

Not to completely discard ATI... how about a radeon9500 NON pro, instead of the 5600?

 

[nick1985]

isnt a ti4200 faster than the 5600?

 

[Pete]

Stop by your local Best Buy. If you can find a 9500 Pro on clearance for $150, buy that--it'll be much faster than a 5600 *or* a 5600 Ultra. Plus, if it doesn't work, it's a local return. Make sure BB will accept a return without a restocking fee if it doesn't work, though.

If you'd like to see how 5600/U's perform compared to other cards in their price ranges, I linked quite a few quality reviews in this thread at Ars.

 

[JammingJay]

As Pete mentioned $149.99 at BB for a 9500pro sounds like a good option for you. Its a very good card, and the benefits for you are that you can test it right away to see if you like it, and if you don't....well return it!

BTW- I happen to have a Radeon 9700pro with cat 3.4 and with most games, (except Splinter Cell), I haven't had any real issues of games crashing, artifacts, etc...

As well I have a secondary system with a Atlon XP1800+ (old palomino) and when I switched from a MX to even a GF4 Ti4200 on that rig, whew, difference between night and day on some games. 4Ti series is still a solid performer at medium resolutions.