What's my best path in choosing a video card?

[skubik]

I currently have a gef3 ti500 @ 260/560 and about 9600 3dmarks (145fsb/1800+@1670)

I'm considering either a cheap TI4600, an Abit OTES ti4200 or a 9500 pro radeon since the bios can be modified to overclock now, however the results i've seen thusfar from overclocked 9500 pro's hasn't been so great, due to the 128bit bus vs. 9700 pro's 256?

I dunno, I can't make a decision, help me out guys (no geforceFX or 9700pro or whatever ati makes in the beginning of next year to compete are OUT of my budget )

thanks

 

[Mingon]

newer releases push down the cost of current chips, buy after geforcefx release as ATI will drop prices and nvdia lower cards will get cheaper

 

[AnAndAustin]

That GF3 can play all current games very well so you could wait a little longer and see what ATI (DDR-II) and nVidia (FX) release if only to see what happens to the prices of current cards. If you want to upgrade now then I'd suggest either a GF4TI4200 or Rad9500PRO. The TI4400 and 4600 aren't really worth paying extra for, if you want to pay more you might as well get the Rad9500PRO which is streets ahead in all depts. As for the OTES card it really isn't worth it, nice desing and ideas but when it comes to real world matters it really is a bit of a let down, go for a 4200-8X or one of the suped up 4200-128MB cards using the longer 8 layer 4400/4600 desing like the Suma Special Edition, Albatron Turbo or to a lesser degree the Asus Deluxe. Also make sure you have a decent CPU, considering the prices of XP2000+ type CPUs it makes sense to avoid choking your new card!

 

[rbV5]

however the results i've seen thusfar from overclocked 9500 pro's hasn't been so great, due to the 128bit bus vs. 9700 pro's 256?

You might wat to read this. It seems to do pretty well, especially when you start talking FSAA + Aniso.

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: Mingon
newer releases push down the cost of current chips, buy after geforcefx release as ATI will drop prices and nvdia lower cards will get cheaper

i don't see that happening this time if the fx going for 600-500 retail sence currently the 9700s are at 400-300 and a 9500pro is only 200, all retail. ati doesnt realy have to drop its prices to compteate, at least not unless the fx is way more than nvidia hyped it up to be which is just realy an abusrd notion to entertain.

 

[TheWart]

Actually, I do not know if it is out of your budget, but now that the Radeon 9500 Pro's bios has been "hacked," it can now be oc'd, beating even the TI4600 in many games.....Go to Firingsquad...they have a review of it up.

 

[frustrated2]

Wow I was looking at getting one of the 9700 models because I found them on pricewatch for not that much more but dam if the 9500 pro will do that with a little clockin then it seems that is the way to go

 

[AnAndAustin]

It's 99.9% certain that the 9700 can be unlocked in much the same way and I believe Warp11's already got it working and is testing the appropriate BIOS. So if you can find a 9700 for about the saem price as a 9500PRO you'd be well advised to snatch that up instead as it will still be fastert han any o/c'ed 9500PRO and if you can unlock it then it should easily yield 9700PRO perf!

 

[Dreadogg]

no need for upgrade. IMO