Decent Card For "Average User"

[quester1]

I am looking to get a "Good" vid card from my G4MX-440 w/Barton 2500. I don't care about benchmarking anything, just a decent card for some gaming and work. Budget is important, so my options are: Radeon 9500 PowerColor Evil Command X 128ddr, Gigabyte 9500 64ddr,Gigacube 9600C3 ProLite 128ddr, Sapphire 9600Pro 128 (some are Ret some Oem). For around $40 less, the Leadtek GF4 Ti4200 can be had. Which would be better for everyday use? Thanks for any input.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Sapphire R9600Pro is the top choice out of your list. Great all around IQ, good speed, good quality build. an best gaming performance out of he list. If those were R9500PROs then it would be a different story.


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[smitbret]

Depends on what you mean by average user. If you are talking about the general public, then these cards are very much above average. That being said, if you can afford it, get the 9600 Pro. The GF4Ti4200 is still a great card for the "average" user, though.
-Brett

 

[jmecor]

Having a mainstream DirectX9 video card is good these days especially for future games such as Doom3 or half-life:
Any of the three:
1) GeForce FX 5200 Ultra 128MB
2) GeForce FX 5600 Non-Ultra 128MB
3) Radeon 9600 Pro

<font color=blue>
My computer is <b>sooo fast</b>,
It finished <b>SETI</b> in <b>10 seconds.</b>
<font color=blue>

 

[cleeve]

The Ti4200 is MORE than enough to satisfy the "Average" user, but if you're into games and looking to play some of the advanced upcoming titles, go 9600 PRO.

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

2) GeForce FX 5600 Non-Ultra 128MB

Not worth the money at all. Either go Ultra or forget it, your money would be better spent elsewhere. The FX5600non-ultra is a waste of money in general and most people would be better of with a GF4ti or R9600Pro, or the extra money would be worth it to go to an FX5600Ultra (especially Rev.2).


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[addiarmadar]

The Radeon 9600 pro would be a good choice. It dishes out great performance for the money and can be OCed like a mother with stock fans for future needs. The ti4200 is also not a bad one but the 9600pro has much better ram.

F-DISK-Format-Reinstal DO DA!! DO DA!!

 

[Rubberbband]

The 9600Pro is a great card just stay away from Lite or EZ versions (mem and core clocked slower).
The GF4 Ti is also a good card.

I know... I just put in an ATI 9600 Pro to replace my Leadtek GF4 Ti4200 128Mb.

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[Faffin]

wrong sir

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

wrong sir

Mind E-l-a-b-o-r-a-t-i-n-g, kind sir?

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[simwiz2]

If you don't intend to use AA, AF, or resolutions above 1024x768 in your games, then save money and get the Ti4200. Otherwise, the 9600P is the better choice.

 

[HardWareBoss]

How do you like the 9600 Pro? I'm thinking of getting one to replace my Ti 4200 64Mb.

 

[Ganache]

You should save ur money and buy something better. 9600 pro instead of a ti4200 IMO not worth the upgrade, you won't see much real world difference. Wait fot next gen of ati cards and get the budget one ( ake next 9600 pro whathever it will be called ). Theyre running out of names.

Theye need to go into the 10k, but i think it's time they get the radeon 2 or something...

 

[coolsquirtle]

hmm... i wonder where would be an answer for ur question.... or maybe something called a FAQ!!!!

READ IT!!!!

Proud Owner the Block Heater
120% nVidia Fanboy
PROUD OWNER OF THE GEFORCE FX 5900ULTRA <-- I wish this was me
I'd get a nVidia GeForce FX 5900Ultra... if THEY WOULD CHANGE THAT #()#@ HSF

 

[daddywags214]

I have a 9600 Pro, and I love it. You'll actually get a good boost in speed from the ti4200, and that gap will grow larger over time. However, if you're into the long run, and you want this upgrade to really last, you may consider saving an additional $40 (9700) or $90 (9700 Pro).

<b>nVidia cheated on me so I left her for ATi. ATi's hotter anyway...</b>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

I'd agree with Ganache and DDwags. The R9600P shows a nice boost over the GF4ti, whether it's worth the money is really a personal preference issue. Now I WOULD recommend waiting as Ganache is right there is another R9600Pro (Pro-Plus?) coming out in a short time (like weeks), but even more interesting will be the FX5700 , which has speculation of it being either A) a little slower than the FX5600U-R.2 (around R.1 speeds) but with 256bit memory or B) a little faster 500/500(1000) than the R.2 (even Gainward's) on the 128bit memory. So waiting would be a good idea, by then either you can go with the replacement, or the older models should become a it cheaper, and then the small added benifits will be more cost effective.


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[Crashman]

The problem with "Average Users" is that some actually play games! I get customers all the time saying "We need a cheap computer, nothing fancy, just something for the kids to play games on" and their kids are teenagers. GRRR!

The 9500 non-pro is a fairly weak card for games, but most can be hacked to 9500-Pro standards by using a hacked driver such as the "Omega" drivers. Quite a bit cheaper than a 9600 Pro. But if you have the money, a 9600 Pro would be a good card.

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[Rubberbband]

So far so good. I've only had it a week. Sharper and crisper in 2d (movies, desktop etc). Plays all my games well (except for texture corruption in NOLF2, it was fixed in Cat 3.4s but the 3.6s have the same problem). It was worth it for me. I only plan on keeping this card for a year. Then I'll sell it and buy the next value/performance card.

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