Which is better for 2D and/or gaming?? **PLEASE HELP FAST**

[KennyH]

Hey guys, I have a chance at picking up a 8500 LE for cheap w/ the 3.5ns Hynix chips. Just wondering if this card was better than the GF3 Ti200 in gaming and/or 2D apps. Please LMK quick and TIA.

 

[Mingon]

Do you already own the ti200 ? if so its not that much of an upgrade and unless it very cheap its hardly worth it. Save your money, their is lots of good cards coming out in the next 6 months which would be worth an upgrade.

 

[KennyH]

Yeah, I already have a Ti200, I was just wanting to try something different.

 

[Goi]

The Radeon 8500LE would be better on both counts. However, the difference isn't staggering, so I'd advise against spending too much money on it. If you can get it for maybe $10-20 after selling your GF3 Ti200 then I'd say it'd be worth it. If not, then stick with your Ti200 unless you can't stand it already.

 

[spanky]

yes and yes

 

[KennyH]

Thanks guys, Goi, at the price I am looking at I might be able to get it and either pay nothing for the upgrade or actually make a couple of bucks after I sell the Ti200.

 

[Goi]

That sounds like a good deal then. How much are you getting it for?

 

[AnAndAustin]

For 3D the TI200 should hit TI500 speeds while the 8500LE should hit 8500 speeds. 8500 cards tend to give almost identical perf to TI500 so in 3D it will be very tight. When it comes to AA the GF3 cards are HUGELY better, as for Aniso it evens out, 8500 can do it at half the hit but at lower quality, however upping the Aniso means you get about the same speed and quality, it is very close for Aniso.

When to comes to image quality, dual display, TVout and DVD playback the 8500 is light years ahead although Gainward and Leadtek GF3 cards did have decent image quality. When shopping for an 8500 do check the clock speeds as these vary by manu and oem/bulk vs retail, also dual display often varies between manus so double check that too if it's important. 128MB gives the 8500 cards a very nice boost even before the extra RAM is needed, when the extra RAM is needed there is no substitute for having enough and 128MB will serve you better in the long term for certain, plus you'll sell a 128MB card much easier and for more cash when the time comes.

You could consider a GF4TI4200. It is obviously faster than GF3TI500 or Rad8500 esp when it o/c's top 4400 levels. It has even better AA than GF3 and incorporates much better image quality, dual display, TVout/VIVO and really pulls way ahead withthe faster CPUs which is great for the long term.

You have 3 great choices and you won't regret any of them.

1. Staying with your GF3 as it still rocks.
2. Selling up and shifting to Rad8500/LE to gain IQ and some other nifty features.
3. Selling up and shelling out a little more cash to gain IQ, some other nifty features, increase perf and esp reap benefits with the faster CPUs.

 

[Deeko]

8500 is much better for 2D, marginally better for 3D.

 

[BFG10K]

The 8500 will do better at high resolutions especially if you utilise anisotropic filtering as well.

 

[rogue1979]

I have had a Radeon 8500LE @ 300/315, and currently have 3 Radeon 9000's and a Geforce3 Ti 200. I did the low pass filter capacitor mod and overclocked the GF3 (Gainward Ti450) to 250/520. 3DMark2001 was close, but in all games the GF3 soundly whipped the Radeon 8500LE. 2D quality is close, 3D is equal. Actually the 9000's all running @ 290-300/240-250 are not as fast as either of course, but have a little extra 2D image quality.

I would do the low pass filter mod and overclock some, forget the "so called" upgrade.

Geforce 4 Ti4600 or Radeon 9700 if you can swing it would be a worthy upgrade.