Which Card is better for me

[Safetyguy]

Am building a new system and am having trouble deciding a few componets.Am looking at:
XP2100 (will upgrade to a 2800 when prices come down)
ASUS A7n8x Deluxe MB
2 sticks 256MB PC2700 Samsung ram
Lite on 16x DVD and a 48/24/48 CDRW
sony fdd
WD SE 80GB Hard Drive
Antec SX630II case with 350 PSU or Plus1080 with 430 PSU
For Video I was looking at the gf4 ti4200 128MB. I have heard they were not that stable and caused problems with older games?? So now Im looking at the ATI radeon 9500 pro 128 MB. Price difference between cards is about 47.00. I do play some games and use office applications. I am not an avid gammer nor do I get in to overclocking. I just want a stable system. Which is better the 9500 or the ti4200? So far I am around $930 for this setup depending on which vid card I use. Any thoughts or suggestions??

 

[AnAndAustin]

If you're not an avid gamer there are three main choices really ...

1. $100ish GF4TI4200 = Fast and esp gets the most out of your CPU.
2. $150ish Rad9500PRO = Decently faster than a GF4TI4200 and way faster if you want to play with maximum AA & AF.
3. $80ish Rad8500/9000PRO = Not all that much slower than a GF4TI4200 but doesn't get the most out of modern CPUs.

The Radeons are better for 2D work if you use high resolutions with high refresh rates but the GF4TI cards are still pretty darn good. The Radeons also have better TVout and DVD playback too. The main downside of the Rad8500 series is that the clocks vary a LOT by brand so be sure to check you're at least 230/230. GF4TI & Rad9000PRO are very consistent. All these cards are fine choices, they all have their pros and cons. For an idea of speed:

Tech Report Rad9000PRO review including many cards

 

[jiffylube1024]

I think you're pretty safe either way. I have not heard of any kind of issues with the Ti4200 and older cards.

The R9500 Pro is a bit faster and has direct x 9.0 support (if you overclock both, the gap shrinks but the 9500 is still on top). You will be happy with either one. Personally, I guess I'd vote for the 9500 Pro if you want to spend the extra money, but they're pretty close.

Edit: actually, the 8500 might be better for you since you're not an avid gamer. If you do play any 3d games, I'd say go for the Ti4200 or 9500 Pro, but otherwise the 8500 will be more than enough.

 

[SickBeast]

I have yet to find a game that my radeon 8500 can't run smoothly at 1024x768 and above. I can even run FIFA/NHL 2003 at 1600x1200 without a hiccup with all visual options maxed. It's a sight to behold

 

[sandorski]

9500 Pro.

 

[daveybrat]

It's an easy call:

buy the 9500 if you fit either of the following 2 categories:
1) You play high-end games with AA and AF on or use the TV out (exceptional)
2) Don't mind trouble-shooting certain games and updating drivers often to compensate for bugs

buy the GF4 TI4200 if:
1) You want to play almost any game without playing around with drivers and settings
2) Want fast game playing and don't care about AA and AF and don't use TV out.

 

[tenoc]

9500 Pro for future-proofing.

 

[SickBeast]

I actually agree with daveybrat. ATI's drivers have come a long way, but it seems as though games are programmed with Nvidia cards in mind. That said though, most if not all conflicts are easily resolved. It can be a real frustration though if you play alot of new-release games. I would estimate that 1/3 of all new games will have issues with an ATI card whereas with Nvidia it's probably more like 1/6.

 

[AnAndAustin]

daveybrat, Rad9500-9700 are excellent for running with both AA & AF maxed out but any GF4TI card should always operate with at least 2xAA & some AF and there is only a very small hit too. TVout is inferior on nVidia cards (even tweaked with TVtool) but still it isn't bad, and many GF4TI can offer VIVO which is again basic but very cost effective. SickBeast I agree that most games seem toconcentrate primarily on nVidia's cards but hopefully with ATI holding the technology and perf crown for a while programmers will sit up and take note, ATI drivers are better than ever and not far off nVidia quality, I wouldn't let that be in any way a deciding factor when buying a card.

 

[Mem]

It's an easy call:

buy the 9500 if you fit either of the following 2 categories:
1) You play high-end games with AA and AF on or use the TV out (exceptional)
2) Don't mind trouble-shooting certain games and updating drivers often to compensate for bugs

buy the GF4 TI4200 if:
1) You want to play almost any game without playing around with drivers and settings
2) Want fast game playing and don't care about AA and AF and don't use TV out.

I`m a hardcore gamer so I would have to agree with that,Nvidia still has the edge in driver stability ,ATi still need to improve their drivers IMHO, yes they`re getting better but they still not up to Nvidia standards in my books .The good news is ATi seem to be listening to their customers and the feedback they get,they take very serious.

 

[AnAndAustin]

That's something nVidia certainly don't seem to do, it's more than time for them to get some tweaking sw made to enhance the TVout, it'd still be worse than ATI TVout but it would still be much improved through sw only.

ATI have had a rough time outside the US & Canada, I think it's mostly to do with VERY poor pricing in the past but the Rad9x00 seem MUCH more competatively priced now.

 

[WarSong]

Hmmm, I've never had any issues with ATI drivers. My past three vid cards have been ATIs: RadeonLE (hyperZ enabled), 8500LE, and now a 9500np (soft9700'ed). I've loved everyone of these cards and still use them all. I have played MANY different games with them as well. Maybe I'm lucky?

 

[Orbius]

I have yet to find a game that my radeon 8500 can't run smoothly at 1024x768 and above.

GTA3-PC, but then thats a piece of poop design wise.