With a X2 4200 (s939) : 9600gt or hd4670 ?

[DetConan]

My computer is
Sonata II 450w
MSI K8N-4F
7600gt
AMD Athlon X2 4200+

Would it be wise to upgrade the videocard for a 9600GT or HD4670 ? Would it make a big difference ?
Note that I do not want to change the PSU or add a fan or I do not want to overclock.
The 9600GT is not very much more expensive than the HD4670, but does the GPU causes a bottleneck ? Would the performance be higher with the 9600GT considering the GPU limitation ?
I have a 19inch CRT monitor but think to upgrade for a 22 LCD in the future.

Thanks

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The CPU would be a bottleneck, but you would still get a little bit more performance from the 9600GT. The choice is really a toss-up.

4670:
-Initially cheaper
-Uses less power

9600GT:
-More powerful
-Better overclock performance (?)

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I'd go for the 4670, should be cheaper yet still have respectable performance suitable for a system where it might not make sense to throw any more money at it than you have to.

 

[MarcVenice]

Bah, you're not going to be CPU limited to the extent that your videocard is worthless. You could go as fast as a HD4850 for your CPU. Higher then that and you're CPU will become to much of a bottleneck to warrant the higher prices. So either a 9600gt or HD4670 will be just fine, heck a HD3870 or 8800gt could be a nice deal too.

 

[faxon]

honestly with a 19 inch i would get the 4670. im using one now, and when playing quake wars i can play at 12x10 at 4xAA/16xAF maxed everything at around 50-70FPS avg range. from what i hear the 9600GT isnt quite as good at scaling in AA performance, which makes a huge difference at lower resolutions. if you plan on upgrading to a 22 inch later though then get a 4850 just to be on the safe side. as for your CPU/mobo/ram, you can get a new cpu/ram/mobo for like $300. with the stuffs i linked you could easily hit 3.3GHz on that e5200. personally if you have the money for the new monitor now, i would get a new cpu/mobo/ram/video instead and get the new monitor say after thanksgiving on black friday when everything is super cheap

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227267
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131275

 

[Denithor]

Pick up a 9600GSO for around $50AR (or less--they've been seen as low as $35AR recently). Check the Hot Deals forum for details.

 

[rogue1979]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Pick up a 9600GSO for around $50AR (or less--they've been seen as low as $35AR recently). Check the Hot Deals forum for details.

Best bang for the buck gets my vote.