Video Card for New System

[finlandsfinest]

Hi, I am upgrading my computer to a 2500+ Barton, 512MB PC2700, Asus A7N8X Deluxe.

I was just wondering, which video card I should purchase for roughly 135$?

If 135$ isn't really enough, I could get a slower CPU.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

 

[modedepe]

9600 pro for somewhere around $150 or a ti4200 for about $100 would be your best options.

 

[finlandsfinest]

What about the 9000, 9100, 9200?

 

[modedepe]

9000 is not a good choice, and a 9200 is the same as a 9000 except it has agp 8x. A 9100 isn't a real bad choice, it's the same as a 8500 and should give you decent performance. You could get a 9100/8500 for about $80.

 

[finlandsfinest]

How about the Asus ti4200, I heard it was one of the most powerful ti4200's.

 

[modedepe]

I've heard one of their models is somewhat faster than other ti4200s, but I believe it costs quite a bit more, which isn't really worth it. I think they might be sellling around $140, so you're better off going up to a 9600 pro instead, which will give you a much bigger performance boost.

 

[finlandsfinest]

Doesnt the 9600pro use only 4 pixel pipelines?

 

[Schadenfroh]

yes

 

[SLCentral]

Yeah, the 9600 Pro has only 4 pixel pipelines, but performance is still better then the 4200. You may want to search around for a 9500 Pro, awesome card, but disappearing fast.

 

[SLCentral]

Yeah, the 9600 Pro has only 4 pixel pipelines, but performance is still better then the 4200. You may want to search around for a 9500 Pro, awesome card, but disappearing fast.

 

[SLCentral]

Double post, sorry about that.

 

[finlandsfinest]

Is it worth paying more for a 9500 pro than getting a 9600 pro?

 

[modedepe]

Yep, just 4. I think the only one around that price using more is the 9500 pro.

 

[modedepe]

I wouldn't pay much more for a 9500 pro, and it looks like right now they're going for quite a bit more..

 

[finlandsfinest]

How is this card?

http://www.upgradenation.com/atira9512ddr.html

 

[Schadenfroh]

that is a 9500 non pro. its worse than a 9600 for it combines the 4 pipe lines with lower clockspeeds

 

[Schadenfroh]

damn double post

 

[modedepe]

9500 non pro isn't too hot. They run around $140 and with AA off a ti4200 can beat one.

 

[finlandsfinest]

Oops, I thought that was a 9500 pro...

hmm... I still don't know what card to get! =\

 

[Zephyr106]

Uhhh some Radeon 9500 non pros are apparently good for softmodding, that is a bios hack that gives them 9700 Pro or 9800 capabilities. It's a gamble in that you can distort your display (I think changing bios back to default fixes this), but if it works it can be performance on the cheap. Here's the reviews at Newegg:

http://secure.newegg.com/app/CustratingReview.asp?item=14-102-271

To do this you need a specific model, I think it is Sapphire, red pcb, 4 RAM modules in a "L-Shape", and gold coloured chip fan.

Zephyr

 

[modedepe]

I wouldn't recommend softmodding, but then I'm kinda a wimp about some stuff

. It's ok if you don't mind ending up with a 9500np if the mod fails, but the 9500np as a 9500np isn't that great of a value.