Worth it to go from GF4 Ti4200 to a GF FX 5700 for the DirectX9 thingie?

[ndee]

Is it worth it? My question, if a game requires DirectX9, it automatically is a DirectX9 game, right? Actually a stupid question

I mainly play EA Sports Games, Racing Games and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

 

[wake]

If you can't play certain games with that card then you'd better upgrade (regardless of the cost - games are important). I wouldn't make that upgrade just for the performance, unless you really need 10 more fps.

 

[ndee]

wake: thx for the insight

 

[Ardan]

I would really be more worth it to get an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. The Price/Performance ratio is outstanding, as the most recent anandtech article on the 5700 Ultra (not the regular 5700) also says. You can find one on Newegg for about $230 too. The MSRP on the 5700 is $200 and thats about what find it for on Newegg, too. You have to remember about the issues they have had with the GeForce FX. It dismayed me when I saw the performance issues in DX9 games and image quality troubles, because I have always used GeForce cards and I love their linux drivers too. A 9600 Pro or 9600XT is also a great choice.

 

[FearoftheNight]

5900 nu!

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
5900 nu!

Agreed, a much better buy than the 5700U, and only about a $15 difference in price, for an enormous performance increase.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: ndee
Is it worth it? My question, if a game requires DirectX9, it automatically is a DirectX9 game, right?

No. Often a game will simply be built on the current platform of the time, even though most features of the platform aren't exposed, simply because this nets all the benefits of optimizations to the platform, along with being slightly less buggy.

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: ndee
Is it worth it? My question, if a game requires DirectX9, it automatically is a DirectX9 game, right? Actually a stupid question

I mainly play EA Sports Games, Racing Games and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

It is not a stupid question. Most games that are out now do require DirectX9 but do not utilize any of the new 3D grapical features available with it such as PS2.0 and VS2.0. When the games say "DirectX9 required" all it means is that they used the DX9 APIs to develop the game. DX9 is more than just 3D graphics, there are also APIs for mouse/keyboard input, 2d graphics(menus, etc), and sound.

Currently there are only a handful (5-10?) of games that actually utilize new 3d tech available with dx9.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Ardan
I would really be more worth it to get an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. The Price/Performance ratio is outstanding, as the most recent anandtech article on the 5700 Ultra (not the regular 5700) also says. You can find one on Newegg for about $230 too. The MSRP on the 5700 is $200 and thats about what find it for on Newegg, too. You have to remember about the issues they have had with the GeForce FX. It dismayed me when I saw the performance issues in DX9 games and image quality troubles, because I have always used GeForce cards and I love their linux drivers too. A 9600 Pro or 9600XT is also a great choice.

Or check FS/T for even cheaper 9700 Pro's. I've seen them down around $190 or even lower maybe.

 

[nick1985]

READ

get a 5900NU.

 

[Fern]

No. I have use of both the Ti4200 and the DX9 capable ATI 9600 Pro. I don't see any difference now. Maybe later when DX9 is used more fully. Based on my experience with these two cards I put off my gfx upgrade plans until next year.

 

[DaveSimmons]

No, unless a game you're playing now runs too slowly for you, wait. You don't need a "dx9 card" even for Doom3 or Half-Life2, you'll just be missing a little eye candy on your gf4. Prices will drop, speeds will increase.

If you must buy now, a 9700pro, 9800 non-pro or nv fx5900 non-ultra offer great price/performance.

 

[Corporate Thug]

get a 9800 np, you'll be happier with DX9

 

[ndee]

alright, I think I can wait a little bit longer, but the non-Ultra 5900 costs here about $70 more.

Thanks for the input

 

[Sureshot324]

stick with your 4200 for now.

 

[Regs]

It might be a little late in the game but I think it's worth going to a 5900nu or a 9800np, which ever one floats your boat.

I can tell you I'm not regretting going from a Ti4200 to a 9800np. The performance increase is staggering, specially with the usage of AA/AF. Even running a game like C&C Generals, AA comes very handy with those jaggy buildings and units.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: ndee
Is it worth it? My question, if a game requires DirectX9, it automatically is a DirectX9 game, right?

No. Often a game will simply be built on the current platform of the time, even though most features of the platform aren't exposed, simply because this nets all the benefits of optimizations to the platform, along with being slightly less buggy.

if you have directx 9 game, and a directx8 only card, it will do the direct x 8 path, or do the dx9 features in software. it will still run just not as fast.