Ti4200 128MB power

[Squidmaster]

I'm probably going to get one of these cards for my parents to use beyond the life of the system to which it's connected, but I need to know if the current 200W power supply can handle it. The computer is a 500 MHz Pentium 3 with a 13 gig hard disk as I recall. Do I need to upgrade the power? Thanks.

 

[Nights_L]

oh..I should say that Ti4200 for a PIII500Mhz is a little waste..
and get 64MB version of 4200 instead of 128MB, 128MB for Ti4200 is not very useful, +, it uses slower memory..usually

 

[Squidmaster]

I'm starting an upgrade process. I'm aware that the card is far better than the processor, but before too long I'll replace the motherboard and processor as well. Initially I was getting the 64MB card, but I quickly realized I could get the 128 at newegg for $6 more, which seemed like a steal.

 

[confoundicator]

Ti4200's come in three (basic) flavors.

Slowest - Ti4200 128MB 4X
Faster - Ti4200 64MB 4X (or 8X now from some manufacturers)
Fastest - Ti4200 128MB 8X (also called the Ti4800se and other names by different manufacturers)

The two 4X cards have been around since summer 2002, and the 64MB card is faster due to higher quality/higher clocked memory. Since the 128MB version is the more expensive of the two it should be avoided (unless you enjoy getting less for your money).

The 128MB 8X card(s) are newer and outperform both, but are more expensive. I think it should be noted that the performance difference between the slowest and the fastest versions of this card are <i>very</i> insignificant in the greater scheme of things. Therefore I recommend cheapest one: the Ti4200 64MB 4X (or 8X from some).

Incidentally, Abit's Siluro line has a Ti4200 64MB 8X selling for $89.00 on Newegg.

<font color=blue>Build a foolproof system and they'll build a better fool.</font color=blue><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by confoundicator on 06/29/03 10:17 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Willamette_sucks]

Incedently, you're a moron.

The Ti4800SE is based off the ti4400, only with agp 8x.
The Ti4800, non SE, is based off the ti4600, only with agp 8x.

j/k confoundictaor, I just couldnt resist stealing that line.

"Every Day is the Right Day." -Pink Floyd

 

[ianmills]

Squidmaster, make sure to look at the specs of the card you are buying. Some 128mb ti4200 4x AGP have memory that runs at 444mhz and some that runs at 500mhz. Make sure you get the faster one.
This XFX one has the 500mhz memory http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=P450-7243

Look around other places though, you can probably find it for cheaper.

 

[confoundicator]

Ahh, I stand corrected, and I've been called worse.

My point still stands, though. There is very little performance difference between any of them, so I'd go with the cheapest.

<font color=blue>Build a foolproof system and they'll build a better fool.</font color=blue>

 

[Squidmaster]

I appreciate all of your input and I'll certainly look over all of the options before actually buying, but my real question is still about the power supply being able to handle the card in any form. Should I post this in another forum instead for that information? I just figured I could get the answer here as well.

 

[Squidmaster]

I just rechecked the newegg lineup of 4200s and found the cheaper 64 MB card, but the reviews are terrible. The next model up is about $30 more, so that's a tough one.

 

[confoundicator]

I personally wouldn't buy anything from Newegg that says "Refurbished" next to it. I'd be interested to hear what kind of luck anyone has had with this.

As far as your power supply goes, what kind of graphics card does it have right now?


<font color=blue>Build a foolproof system and they'll build a better fool.</font color=blue>

 

[smitbret]

I've purchased several motherboards & CD-RWs from New Egg that were refurbished. They've all been fine and usually (cross my fingers) came in the original box with all of the original components. I would do it for myself, but I don't know if I'd build a system from refurb for someone else, unless they checked off on it. I don't think I'd ever buy hard drives, memory or CPU's that are refurbs, though. They just seem to fragile to take a chance with.
-Brett

 

[Squidmaster]

I also wouldn't go the refurbished route. The card currently installed in the system is a diamond viper V550 I believe, with 16 MB memory.

 

[rubikian]

I'd suggest at least a 300W power supply. 350 or 400 even better. I remember well that one of my old PC, the P2 400, cannot even run with a GF2 GTS with a fan on the card using a 200W PSU. So, with the Ti4200, I doubt it. It also depends on how many hard drive you have, CDROM, DVDROM, other cards in your PC and so on.

 

[Squidmaster]

Dang. I was worried about that. Other than the processor/motherboard, I have 2 cd drives and a hard drive of the same approximate level as the other components, which were all bought together. Guess I'll have to pick up power as well when I buy. Thanks.

 

[GeneticWeapon]

The card currently installed in the system is a diamond viper V550 I believe, with 16 MB memory.

That was the second video card I ever bought and my first card from nVIDIA. I loved that thing...


Please refrain from personal attacks of other users and the use of foul language or you'll be banned. Last warning. - Fredi