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Which would you get?

D

deadken

Diamond Member
I am considering upgrading my sons video card from a GF3 (non-Ti) to something newer. He plays BF42 with me and it does well, but I was thinking that it might be time to get him something better.

I will be buying USED or re-furbished. I have no need (unless the price is right) to get a new card for this computer.

One of the cards I have been considering is a GF4, but I think that there wouldn't be enough of a performance boost to warrant the $60 Ti4200 up to $85-90 Ti4600. I realize that yes, there would be a significant boost to performance now, but as we move along, and DX9 takes root, a GF4 would probably be lacking soon.

The other cards I was considering were 9600's. I would think that a $80-$85 9600Pro (I think that is what they are selling for here on the forums) would give a nice performance boost now, and still be ok for the DX9 games. I have also seen the 9600 XT's refurbed @ Newegg.com for $106 for a BBAti. I am guessing that if I can swing the extra $20 I will ensure a little more longevity with a 9600XT.

Which DX9 cards from Nvidia are selling used for $80-$90 right now. Are any of them worth it? Are they any better then a 9600 Pro/XT?

I was wondering what you here thought. I pretty much know where I am heading, but would like to consider all options. I am sure that someone here could tell me of actual pros and cons that could be expected. Thanks in advance for your time and patience.

 
None of the prior-gen nVidia cards are worth it, IMO. The BBA 9600XT for $106 is your best bet, esp. for long-term sticking power.

Oh, and you rock as a dad to be playing BF1942 😀

- M4H
 
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
None of the prior-gen nVidia cards are worth it, IMO. The BBA 9600XT for $106 is your best bet, esp. for long-term sticking power.

Oh, and you rock as a dad to be playing BF1942 😀

- M4H
Click to expand...
Yeah, I kinda figured that if I can swing it, I might as well drop the extra $21. It'd give me a little more time to wait before my next upgrade. I wasn't sure if anyone would mention an Nvidia card. I guess not.

Does the 9500Pro still need a BIOS flash to allow overclocking? Or was someone able to get around that with a driver mod?

BTW: I am a Dad, but only 37! Don't bury me yet... (and no, my Wife wasn't happy that we (he's 9) play BF Pirates, etc.. together):roll:
 
On my P4 2.4C, my old 9600 Pro ran BF1942 without any issues. The 9600XT is only a fraction faster than the 9600 Pro.
 
I'd really consider the 9700pro. The difference between it and a 9600pro/xt is VERY significant.

By the way, I have a 9600pro in my computer, and a Gf4 4400 downstairs on my nephew's. If it's between sub-$100 video cards, definately go with the 9600pro. I can play BF1942 fine, and Farcry as well at 1024 resolution.

If getting a 9600xt puts your over $100, there's no way I'd get it over a 9700pro. Get the 9700pro (refurb) from Crucial for $129 instead, or get a used one from someone here.
 
Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
I'd really consider the 9700pro. The difference between it and a 9600pro/xt is VERY significant.

Get the 9700pro (refurb) from Crucial for $129 instead, or get a used one from someone here.
Click to expand...

 
Thanks to all of you for all of the input! It has certainly stirred more research in directions I hadn't considered.

I might mention that my son is 9, I think he might be spoiled already with a 2400+ (@2130), 512MB DDR, 80GB 8MB WD, and soon to be installed Gigabyte NF2 mobo. I think that the GF3 is almost due for an upgrade, but $130 is steep for me. I agree that it is a marked improvement over the 9600XT (and worth every penny of $130), but it's also $45 more then I figured I would spend (remember, the XT was $20 more then I wanted to spend). Don't get me wrong, $130 is a GREAT price, just a bit out of my budget.

He can always use the 'Family' rig: 2400+ (@2355), 9800SE (380/680/256Bit), 512MB PNY PC2700, NF2 Mobo, if his rig is to "slow" for him. Wouldn't my Wife just love him playing BF42 in the Living Room?!?! :laugh:
 
9600XT

128mb Memory DDR
128-bit DDR memory interface
4 parallel rendering pipelines
Peak memory bandwidth - 9.6 GB/s



9700 Pro

128mb Memory DDR
256-bit DDR memory interface
8 parallel rendering pipelines
Peak memory bandwidth - 19.8 GB/s


BIG difference in performance between a 9600XT and 9700 Pro. I would seriously look at a refurb 9700 Pro if you're looking for both current performance and future useable lifespan if you can swing the few extra $.


edit - Ah, you replied while I was still verifying 9600XT - 9700 Pro facts that I had floating around in my head. I'm sure he'll be more than happy with the 9600XT. Just trying to provide alternative ideas.
 
Originally posted by: deadken
Thanks to all of you for all of the input! It has certainly stirred more research in directions I hadn't considered.

I might mention that my son is 9, I think he might be spoiled already with a 2400+ (@2130), 512MB DDR, 80GB 8MB WD, and soon to be installed Gigabyte NF2 mobo. I think that the GF3 is almost due for an upgrade, but $130 is steep for me. I agree that it is a marked improvement over the 9600XT (and worth every penny of $130), but it's also $45 more then I figured I would spend (remember, the XT was $20 more then I wanted to spend). Don't get me wrong, $130 is a GREAT price, just a bit out of my budget.

He can always use the 'Family' rig: 2400+ (@2355), 9800SE (380/680/256Bit), 512MB PNY PC2700, NF2 Mobo, if his rig is to "slow" for him. Wouldn't my Wife just love him playing BF42 in the Living Room?!?! :laugh:
Click to expand...

Based on this, I wouldn't get the 9600xt. You will be paying for a very slight edge in performance over a 9600pro. The difference between a 9700pro and a 9600xt is MUCH greater than the difference between a 9600pro and a 9600xt.

So look for a 9600pro. Just keep your eyes open and you'll get one in the $75-85 range. OR consider this:

9100 (basically a Radeon 8500)for $48

 
9600 Pro probably

XT is not worth the price premium over Pro. That's the reason why I got a 9800 Pro instead of an XT!
 
Look at it this way. The 9700 pro is around $40 over the 9600xt. The Xt is $20 over the 9600p. The difference between the 9600Xt and 9600pro is very little compared to the difference between the 9600xt and 9700p. If you are about to spend the money to get just a bit better performance by going to the xt, you may as well DOUBLE (no exageration) your performance by paying 35% more by going for the 9700p. If its too much, stick with the 9600p and save your money for when that card gets too slow so u can buy a better card then for your son when he gets picky about his image quality like many of us are on these forums 🙂
 
Originally posted by: deadken
He can always use the 'Family' rig: 2400+ (@2355), 9800SE (380/680/256Bit), 512MB PNY PC2700, NF2 Mobo, if his rig is to "slow" for him. Wouldn't my Wife just love him playing BF42 in the Living Room?!?! :laugh:
Click to expand...

Why don't you just swap the family 9800SE for your son's GF3? Your 256bit 9800SE (with pro clocks) would be faster than a 9600xt, and you could save up for further upgrades down the road.

Failing that, I agree that either the 9600pro or 9600xt is a good deal for the price you mentioned (although hard to resist those 9700pro re-furbs!).

 
I'd really want to reccomend one of the GF4-TI's, but for the same price, go for the 9600pro. Its just a better card. Yes, there are better cards. But yes, they are out of the price limit.
 
Originally posted by: selfbuilt
Originally posted by: deadken
He can always use the 'Family' rig: 2400+ (@2355), 9800SE (380/680/256Bit), 512MB PNY PC2700, NF2 Mobo, if his rig is to "slow" for him. Wouldn't my Wife just love him playing BF42 in the Living Room?!?! :laugh:
Click to expand...

Why don't you just swap the family 9800SE for your son's GF3? Your 256bit 9800SE (with pro clocks) would be faster than a 9600xt, and you could save up for further upgrades down the road.

Failing that, I agree that either the 9600pro or 9600xt is a good deal for the price you mentioned (although hard to resist those 9700pro re-furbs!).
Click to expand...
Well put! I hadn't considered letting him use 'components' from the 'Family' Rig. I was thinking of the WHOLE rig. Thanks for opening up a WHOLE new avenue for me to explore. (BTW: I put an Artic Cooler Rev.3 on the 9800SE, and it clocks like MAD!) Do you have any links to sites showing how a 256bit 9800SE performs vs. a 9600 Pro/XT? I'd like to see the stats.

To all that have posted I thank you for your help and direction. I am digesting all of this info. If anyone has anything new to add, I would love to 'hear' it.

BTW: To add to my confusion, I just saw a 9500NP that 'supposedly' softmods to 9700 Pro (I must ask about artifacts) for $90. Well, wouldn't that just work out sweet? Supposed 9700 Pro performance, at around the price I was ready to pay for a 9600 Pro!



 
If you'd like to read a bit more about the 9500 Softmod, I put together a small FAQ awhile back which you can find here.

I currently have a soft-modded 9500 in my 3200+ NF2 system and can play Far Cry with all settings on either very high or high. Although it's definitely starting to show its age, it has given me the the best value per dollar of any video card I've purchased in quite a while.
 
Originally posted by: deadken
Well put! I hadn't considered letting him use 'components' from the 'Family' Rig. I was thinking of the WHOLE rig. Thanks for opening up a WHOLE new avenue for me to explore. (BTW: I put an Artic Cooler Rev.3 on the 9800SE, and it clocks like MAD!) Do you have any links to sites showing how a 256bit 9800SE performs vs. a 9600 Pro/XT? I'd like to see the stats.
Click to expand...
Tom's review shows a 128bit (380/675) 9800SE as typically performing between a 9600pro and xt. I have a hardcopy PC modder mag showing a slower core 128bit (325/680) typically slightly underperforming a 9600pro. On the basis of that, I would expect your 256bit to slightly outperform the 9600xt.

However, the Xbit review from last year shows your 256bit (380/680) really only holding par with the 9600xt at best, which I find a bit surprising. Notice their slow 128bit (325/540!) gets decimated on those comparisons.

So, I guess I should revise my statement to say a 256bit 9800se is equivalent to 9600xt. Nice that they are known to o/c like crazy though! Good luck with yours ...
 
The best deal right now is a 128MB Radeon 9800 Pro. You could probably take it upto radeon 9800 XT levels (412/365) and is way faster than a 9600XT. You'll blow your mind when you see the difference with Battlefield: 1942.🙂
 
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