Graphic card confusion - please advise

[bowen2005]

Hello there,

I have an Athlon 1900 with 512 meg RAM and a A Radeon 8500. It's time for a video card upgrade, but I am working to a budget and the current situation is a bit confusing.

I was thinking about a Geforce 4600 Ti but am struggling to get one for under a £100. I know this card is over a year old now, so how does it compare to other, newer alternatives.

How does it compare to the FX5xxx range? I can get a geforce fx5700 for under £100 but I don't know how this compares in speed terms to the 4600 ti.

I would be very grateful for some insight into which one is my best option and how they all compare in terms of speed and features.

Thanks in advance,

Bowen.

 

[baldurga]

Welcome bowen

First I would suggest you look at that <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=391018#391018" target="_new">thread</A>. I don't know about UK prices, but if it cost you the same I will go for a 5700 over a 4600Ti. Also 9600Pro/XT could be a good deal, if priced at the same level.

This is not a lot, but I hope it helps you.




Still looking for a <b>good online retailer</b> in Spain :frown:

 

[cleeve]

Pay a couple bucks more and go 9600 PRO.

Well worth it.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[tombance]

You can get a 9600XT from <A HREF="http://www.overclockers.com" target="_new">http://www.overclockers.com</A> for about £120. I think that would be a much better solution than a ti4600.

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=7454540" target="_new">Yay, I Finally broke the 12k barrier!!</A>

 

[cleeve]

Hell yes.

Even a 9600 PRO is better than a Ti4600, IMHO.


________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[TheRod]

Don't buy the TI4600, it's a DirectX 8.1 card.

Get a Radeon 9600PRO/XT or a GeForce FX 5700, they are DirectX 9 cards. A smaerter choice! Radeon are usually better in DX9 games and GeForce FX are usually faster in DX8 games.

MY PERSONAL CHOICE : Radeon 9600 PRO or XT.

--
Would you buy a GPS enabled soap bar?

 

[bowen2005]

Thanks very much for all the feedback guys - it is getting a little clearer. I still am not sure which to choose between the 5700 and the 9600.

How much difference is there between the radeon 9600 pro and the xt.

Also, would it be fair to say the 5700 is quicker than the 4600ti?

Thanks again

 

[TheRod]

You will find all the informations you need about performance in this article :
<A HREF="http://www20.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html" target="_new">http://www20.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html</A>

Dont' forget to check DX8 and DX9 performance. For exemple, HALO benchmark contain 2 chart, one for DX8 and the other for DX9.

I personally like the Radeon 9600 PRO/XT because they perform well and usually, ATI cards have a better Image Quality and faster FSAA. But nVidia FX5700 are not bad choice too.

In term of performance Radeon 9600PRO = FX5700 and 9600XT = FX5700 Ultra.
Image quality : generally ATI is better than nVidia.


--
Would you buy a GPS enabled soap bar?

 

[BigMac]

Thanks very much for all the feedback guys - it is getting a little clearer. I still am not sure which to choose between the 5700 and the 9600.

How much difference is there between the radeon 9600 pro and the xt.

Also, would it be fair to say the 5700 is quicker than the 4600ti?

I was in a similar position like you last december (AMD1800+) and I upgraded to a 9600XT because I'm also going to buy HL2 when it hits the stores and this card came with a coupon for a free copy of the game. That made up for the price difference between the pro and the XT, plus the performance is somewhat better.

Never regretted the upgrade too. Funny thing is that when I use auto-detect settings in games, it's trying to put me in a "medium" gfx quality mode, while with my new card I can push most games to all "high" settings and have great performance. Usually these games just do a CPU check while they should actually do a GPU check (as well).

With my current setup I hope to last to late autumn this year and then go for a new rig (and get all the good stuf like AMD64, PCIExpress, etc)



BigMac

<A HREF="http://www.p3int.com/product_center_NWO_The_Story.asp" target="_new">New World Order</A>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Actually this is how the performance ranges (no equals IMO).

Most DX8 titles (besides Q3 a DX7 class OGL title);
FX5700<R9600PRO<FX5700U<R9600XT

Most DX9 and enhanced DX8 titles;

FX5700<FX5700U<R9600P<R9600XT.

The FX5700 is WAY below the R9600Pro. Maybe it equals a prolite, but considering it ties an R9600non-pro in so many areas, I wouldn't even put it above a pro-lite.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[bowen2005]

Sorry about the delay in getting back,

Thanks everyone for the assistance, you've provided me with definitive answers.

Unless I suddenely find another £100 in a jacket pocket, I'll go with the 9600XT. It's just depressing having to settle for a "mid-range" card, I want top-of-the-range...

 

[pauldh]

I have to agree with your performance comparison. No way is a FX5700 = R9600 pro.

ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt