Which card for me?

[slicksilver]

Its been a real long time since I last upgraded my video card.....My present and last card purchase is the Asus v6600 32MB SDR card which was purchased in Jan 2000. Served me for 3 1/2 good years and I'm damn happy about.....I want to upgrade my card coz. most of the new games dont run very well....I mean they are playable but I would like to see good graphics with good speed .....Can someone recommend me a graphic card with the following factors taken into consideration :

1. I can at the most afford a max of $200.
2. I can NOT upgrade any other part/component as of now as I'm 'really short on money.
3. My gaming will be be only at 1024 X 728 resolution.
4. I want the highest quality.
5. I'm looking at a long time warranty period.

Here's my config :

1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird
512 MB PC2100 DDR RAM
MSI KT3 Ultra - ARU
Maxtor 40 GB 7200 rpm drive

I've shortlisted four but I'm not sure....

ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro
ATI Radeon 9700 (Powercolor or Sapphire)
NVIDIA Ti4600

Can someone help me out select the right one? Thanks

Raj

 

cant speak for ATI (dont have one) but my 4600 is running great.

 

[slicksilver]

anyone else with any opinions?

Thanks

Raj

 

[Jeff7181]

See the "Official Budget Video Card Thread" on this page... and 2nd my motion for a sticky on that thread!

 

[FearoftheNight]

ti4200 for ~100...=p

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
ti4200 for ~100...=p

 

[rogue1979]

Check newegg for a refurb Ti4200 128MB, they are usually less than $100 shipped.

 

[RollWave]

i'd go overbudget a tiny bit in this case raj, for a card to last a while like your previous one I'd HAVE to say you get a Ti4600 like the one at this link http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322422
A Ti4200 only performs really well overclocked and if you're looking for keeping your warranty that is not an option for ya.

Hope this helps,
Raj

 

[EglsFly]

Looking at newegg.com, you can get a GF4 Ti4600 for $169.
The Radeon 9700, is $229, which is over your budget.

Since your system is older, you will need as much speed as possible, this means, not turning on advanced features like AA, etc. To get the absolute most FPS.
In this case, the Ti4600, is faster than the 9500 PRO or 9600 PRO.
See article:
ATI 9600 Pro Review

 

[slicksilver]

ok..i'm down to now Radeon 9600 Pro or the Ti4600. But I have one very important question.....Since Radeon 9600 has been designed for DX9 does it have any specific advantages over the Ti4600?...

Thanks

Raj

 

[RollWave]

wait, i was reading in some of the other radeon posts that the 9600 is actually NOT as good as the 9500. can anyone confirm this? I believe that the 9600 is a cheap slow version of the 9700, and that the 9500 is actually faster than the 9600 but not the 9700 (obviously)

Raj

 

[slicksilver]

Originally posted by: rnp614
wait, i was reading in some of the other radeon posts that the 9600 is actually NOT as good as the 9500. can anyone confirm this? I believe that the 9600 is a cheap slow version of the 9700, and that the 9500 is actually faster than the 9600 but not the 9700 (obviously)

Raj

man why you using my nick at the end of your post????

 

[RollWave]

my name is also raj, if you notice my username is rnp614.... the r = Raj haha

You're not the only one,
Raj

 

[Pete]

I think a $105 128MB 4200 (Albatron at GameVE) is the best deal for you. You should check on the warranty period and 2D quality first, though.

You *could* buy a 9700NP for $200 (a better deal than a $170 4600 or 9600P or $180+ 9500P), but it'd really be wasted with your CPU and at 10x7, and you might have to budget in a new power supply as well. I'd take the $100 you save by going with a 4200 and put it towards a faster CPU, like the $95 Barton 2500+ @ NewEgg (if it'll work in your MB).

 

[slicksilver]

Originally posted by: rnp614
my name is also raj, if you notice my username is rnp614.... the r = Raj haha

You're not the only one,
Raj

lol...what a coincidence....

pete, nice thought...I'm seriously thinking abt the combo...2500+ w/a Ti4200.......I read somewhere that it can be overclocked to close to a Ti4600.......is that true? Gen. speaking isn't buying the latest technology the best way to go abt it? That is why I'm not sure abt the NVIDIA Ti series...

Raj

 

[RollWave]

would the 2500 also require a new power supply as well? I think if you undertake all of that, you're going to end up getting 3 things, powersupply, processor, gpu. (ALL assuming your motherboard can handle all 3). That might be more than you're looking to do. If you only want to drop 200 bucks and be happy for a while before you have to buy a new computer/parts go with a 9700 nonpro (i suppose also assuming your mobo can handle it...eeek).

Raj

 

[1ManArmY]

If you are in the ball park for a Ti 4600 spend the extra 50-75 dollars to get an ATI 9700 Pro. It will be like night and day.

 

[selfbuilt]

A Ti4x00 series is probably fine for your current setup, or preferably Radeon 9500 Pro if you can swing it (much nicer if you want to run AA/AF!). If you want to upgrade later, I'd recommend splurging for the 9700 non-pro if possible - but the 9500 pro would last awhile (the 9600 pro is slower for most things).

I'd worry about just popping in a Barton 2500+ though ... assuming it would even work in your mobo (needs a 333MHz FSB), you only have PC2100 memory (266MHz), which would require you to run the mem async or with really low timings. Frankly, you would be best with a whole new mobo and memory in that case (PC3200 would be nice, since it seems almost all the 2500+ can o/c to a 400MHz FSB on the newer Nforce2 boards).

Instead, you could always pick up an 266MhZ 1800+ thoroughbred chip for a cheap performance boost in you current setup (especially if you o/c).

 

[EglsFly]

If your motherboard will support a newer processor, then I think it would be a good choice to get a GF4 Ti4200 and use the cash saved to upgrade your CPU.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
See the "Official Budget Video Card Thread" on this page... and 2nd my motion for a sticky on that thread!

:Q

Then I wouldn't be able to get postcount++ by telling people to buy (Ti4200, R9500, R9700)!

- M4H