Need Expert Video Card Upgrade HELP

[sandyg]

I have an Athlon XP-2400 processor, 512 RAM and a Gainward GeForce 3-TI200-128 Mg. video card. I want to upgrade my video card to achieve greater frame rates in flight sims and military action/RTS, Racing games. No frills, no vivo, no TV out, no DVD software, no bundled old games, NO EXTRAS -Just faster frame rates ! How would you rate a GeForce 4 TI4600 upgrade ? What % of frame rate increase would you project with this upgrade(10%,20%,etc.)? Any recommendations for a manufacturer or model ? I want to spend between $ 185 and $ 210 from a reputable on line retailer. Thanks for your help.

 

[cleeve]

A geforce4 Ti is good, but a Radeon 9500 PRO is much better and is about the same price.

It depends on the game, but in newer graphically intensive games, you can expect both of those cards to give you... based on what I've seen, a 60% to 70% increase in raw framerates.

Turn on 4xantialiassing and anistropic filtering though, and the Ti 4600 will be getting about the same frame rates you get now with your GF3 with those options turned off...

The Radeon 9500 PRO will be doing about 20% better than that with the fancy image quality options on, though.

The Radeon 9500 PRO is the way to go.

- Cleeve

 

[cheekybeast]

If you dont want any extras, no features, just get a radeon 9700 pro, built by ATI. The prices have gone down a lot

 

[cleeve]

Where can you get a 9700 PRO for $210?

You might be able to get a 9700 non-pro for the low-to-mid $200 range, though. That'd provide you with a hefty performance jump from a 9500 PRO.

Manufacturer usually doesn't make a difference unless you plan to overclock. Some manufacturere's use cheaper RAM that doesn't overclock as well.

 

[pekstein]

i ordered a Sapphire 9500 pro yesterday from Newegg.com, which is a good online retailer. the card also got good reviews from multiple websites.

cost: $177 plus free shipping

ill let you know how it works out. ill compare my old Ti 4400 benchmarks to this new card.

<i> Garth, marriage is punishment for shoplifting in some countries. </i>

 

[GeneticWeapon]

Good reviews from multiple websites....thats what I like to see, I wish everyone would just do that.

Life is a waterfall, you drink from the river then you turn around and put up your walls.....System of a Down

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Get a Radeon 9700 (non-Pro). You can overclock it easily to R9700 Pro. If you can't afford it, then buy a R9500 Pro.

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[phial]

please do so! and PM me when you do ;D

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[pekstein]

yeah seriously check out:

http://www.8dimensional.com/ATi_Radeon_9500.html

scroll down and look. 14 reviews of the sapphire 9500 pro. ive checked maybe half and haven't found a bad one yet.

the only thing is, the cards that those websites reviewed have a different heat sink than the picture of the one i bought at newegg. strange. maybe because they reviewed the retail and i got an OEM.....


oh well, my card should be here friday.

<i> Garth, marriage is punishment for shoplifting in some countries. </i>