Help me choose graphics card... please!

superdude

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Jul 5, 2004
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Hi,

I have a two year old Geforce Ti4200 card in my computer, and now I feel like getting something a better. I want something moderately priced. What I'm considering is a Radeon 9600 or GeforceFX 5700. The question is, will these cards increase performance significantly from the Ti4200? If it won't make much of a difference other than added features, I'm not that interested and I'd rather just keep what I have already. I could also consider a 128 MB Radeon 9800 if you think it's definitely worth the price.

Another thing with these cards is that they're all quite old now aren't they? Dunno if a sudden price drop is about to expect when new graphics cards show up?

How much better would the cheapest kind of Geforce 6800 (the one slot, 128 MBit one) be compared to the other cards I've mentioned above?

Thanks a lot for any help!
 
The performance increase from the ti4200 to a 9600 or fx 5700 will only be a small amount (if any at all.) The one thing they do add is DX 9 effects and better FPS with AA and AF. The 128mb Radeon 9800 pro would be a big upgrade, though I'm not sure if it would be worth it with the new cards coming out. I'm not sure if we can expect price drops any time soon or if there is going to be a really good mid-range card. The 6800 GT is looking really good but its still expensive ($350+) as are all the new cards.

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Thanks! Yeah I saw the guide too, but it didn't really give me a picture of how much better the cards are compared to the Ti4200.

I guess the 9800 would be the way to go. Either that or waiting for a while longer. Dunno... what do you think would be best?
 
The 9800 would be the best way to go if you had to buy something right now.

You have to ask yourself a few questions first...
Do any of your games run slow?
Do any of your games look like crap?
Can the money be better spent?

If I was trying to run games and it was to slow on a ti4200 and i just happened to have an extra 180 dollars lying around I'd take the splurge.

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Check this :
<A HREF="http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html" target="_new">http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html</A>

It only miss the new generation GPU (X800/6800), but you don't seems want to buy one.

--
It's tricky to use words like <b><font color=green>AMD</font color=green></b> or <b><font color=blue>Intel</font color=blue></b> in a signature some users could think your are biased.
 
The Digit-Life Montly 3D Digest is pretty good, and they do have the latest cards if anyone wants to compare;

<A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/digest3d/index0405.html" target="_new">http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/digest3d/index0405.html</A>

The latest one should be out soon, but the russian version (hey the charts are self-explainatory) is up already;

<A HREF="http://www.ixbt.com/video2/itogi-video.shtml" target="_new">http://www.ixbt.com/video2/itogi-video.shtml</A>

And <b>SupaDooD</b>, getting the R9800/pro right now and then selling it for a replacement later, would likely be your best bet IMO. Keep and eye on the current crop of new AGP cards by the end of the year you may see some interesting deals if the statements about replacements is true.

- 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 :evil:
 
the buyer's guide needs to be updated = =

SPIT FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy+119% Money Fanboy
GeForce 6800 Ultra--> The Way we thought FX 5800Ultra is meant to be played
THGC's resident Asian and nVboy 😀
 
Yeah it could use a bit of a brush up. I'd prefer waiting for more of the midrange cards to appear but it really depends on Spitfre's free time updating now and in a few weeks is fine with me if it's ok with him.


- 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 :evil: