On a budget...Is now a good time?

[justaguy]

I have an NF2/TBred system running @ 2300 Mhz and currently have a GF3 Ti200 OC'd to in 250/550. I play some older games-CC Renegade, Neverwinter Nights, etc. and was wondering if upgrading vid. card would be a good idea. $100 is my limit so basically I'm asking if paying 80 for a Ti 4200 would be worth it for me.

Advice is cool

Where there's a will, there's a way-even when it comes to screwing up.

 

[CowMan]

I wouldn't reccomend upgrading right now, particularly with $100. After the big names in new games ie Half-Life 2 and Deus Ex 2 come out, prices should drop pretty significantly. Wait a couple months, save up, and get yourself a good DX9 midrange card like the 9600Pro or XT (particularly the XT if you plan on playing HL2, since it comes with a free copy of the game.)

 

[spitoon]

check out the link below, it compares some 'older' video cards...the Ti4200 outperforms the GeForce3 Ti200 by around 30-40% in most of the comparisons. It is also better able to take advantage of your faster cpu than your Ti200.

<A HREF="http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030120/index.html" target="_new">http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/20030120/index.html</A>

Anyways, that being said, an upgrade like that still leaves you about 2 generations behind current technology. Your 'older games', may not be able to take full advantage of the Ti4200, and your money may be better spent in 6-12 months on a next generation card, or at least a next to next generation card ....Especially if you plan to try out any of the newer games out there...someone here had suggested that he upgrades only when he can go two generations up, moving one generation up may not provide the WOW that you are looking for.



<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by spitoon on 11/05/03 01:18 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

IF you could splurge just a little more you could get the R9600Pro, which would be your best bet (they are getting cheaper every day that the R9600XT start hitting shelves).
However if your price ceiling is $100, then yes buy the GF4ti and get a game or some thing with the difference.



- 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

 

[cleeve]

If those are the only games you play, your Geforce is probably doing a fine job.

Upgrade AFTER you buy a game it can't handle to your satisfaction; cards always get cheaper.

------------------
Radeon 9500 (hardmodded to PRO, o/c to 322/322)
AMD AthlonXP 2400+ (o/c to 2600+ with 143 fsb)
3dMark03: 4055

 

[HardWareBoss]

Stick with card you have. Unless you plan on buying newer games. Than upgrade your vid card.

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Well the 3ti200 to ti4200 is an upgrade...
But not much of one.
A far better upgrade would be a R9600pro, but that will cost you a minimum of $130 US at the moment.
Stick with what you have I recommend for the present.
Save up some more money to get a proper upgrade that will make u say WOW when u first use it.

(like my Geforce2pro -> R9800pro upgrade)

<b>I am not a AMD fanboy.
I am not a Via fanboy.
I am not a ATI fanboy.
I AM a performance fanboy.
And a low price fanboy.
Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b>