HELP!!!

[klorm]

Hey All,

I'm planning to go shopping for computer upgrade parts this weekend and one part i have in my list is a new graphics card. I still have the old tnt2 Riva 64 which desperately needs an upgrade so I dunno where to start but here....Im looking for:

1. Cheap price (budget $150 Aus dollars/US$113.82)
2. 128MB+ memory
3. Overclocking convenience
4. Directx 9 if possible
5.Can play call of duty and other new games WELL, (IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE KICK@SS, Im not a heavyweight gamer...As long as it doesnt give me a 5fps!!![exaggerated])

My system:

-512 DDR Ram
-1X 40 GB Hard drive + 1X 80GB harddrive
-Mercury KOB KT266a FDSX Mobo
-AMD AthlonXP 2400+ at 2GHZ

Thanx in advance!!!!(the brochure of the store im going to is attached...is geforce4 ti4200 any good?im leaning towards the 'ti' series but they dont have direct x 9...which one of the 'ti' cards is the best buy for me with US$113.82 ?)

[HeadBand]

can it wait another week?

i say this because in a week the 6800 series will be coming out and the proces on older cards will most likley drop so you might be able to get something like a 5700U for that price (115 US for those who wanted to know)

[klorm]

well im currently on a 2 week holiday and so this is the only 2 weeks that i can upgrade my computer in until like a couple of months. How certain are you that the 6800 series will be released next week in AUSTRALIA and are you sure that the old graphics card WILL DROP ?If so, how much do you think will it drop? is a 256MB geforce fx 5600 for US$135 a SUPERB bargain?

[Turnip12]

The ti4200 is a great card, but like you said, no direct X 9. Would it be at all possible to spring for a 9600 pro? I'm not sure how much they're going for there, but I believe going price here is about 130$ (US). Better performance than the ti4200 and most of the FX series and it supports direct x 9.

[klorm]

I might be able to get the 9600 pro...im not sure...I know I CAN'T get 9600XT though,too expensive, is pro cheaper than xt? i can get Radeon 9600 normal version for US$98...should i get this instead?

[eagle1]

Hi klorm!

First check this:

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t94012.html

This thread has links to performance related charts for every "Gaming" video card out there.

Now, the GF4 Ti4200 was a really good card (and probably still is) but I suggest getting a DX9 compliant card just in case.
The Radeon 9600 Pro is really good. A great performing card that delivers great!

But again, as someone said, in the coming weeks video card prices are going to fall a little bit so you might want to wait if you want!

[Turnip12]

I would stick to the Pro if you can. If you scope search around the net there are some good reviews out there that'll give you an idea of the performance of these cards. The difference between the XT and Pro isn't all that big of a deal, but I personally wouldn't step down to the 9600 or the 9600SE. If it's a matter of 20-30$ I'd spend it to get the pro, it would be well worth it in my opinion. I want to add again that I think the 4200 is a great card, but without DirectX 9, I can't justify buying it. I already have one game that uses DirectX 9 and while it doesn't really affect gameplay (for that game, Lords of Everquest), it kind of stinks not being able to take advantage of it, especially if you're thinking about upgrading to another card for the sake of being able to play the newer games. The FX series supports DirectX9, but the performance level drops considerably for the similarly priced FX cards, I believe the 5700 Ultra is up there with the 9600 Pro though. Eagle 1 posted one review, I frequent the Anandtech site.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1933

Take a look around for yourself. My advice would be to spend the extra money on the Pro if you want one now, but yeah, if you can wait...

[Rebel Son]

i would check tom's hardware guide, they have a great comparision of current video cards. also a good prices' guide....just a thought

[klorm]

Thanx everyone for the support and help!!! 1 more question... I can get a 9600se for US$86...tempting... should i go for a fx5600 or a 9600LE?I need an exceptional performance in games like Call of Duty, like i said...im not a heavyweight and Im on a budget...Im not sure about PRO...From what I can gather, graphics cards are more expensive here in Australia...

[klorm]

I heard nVIDIA have released a new driver that fixed the strangely low performance of the 9600se?does it boost up the performance above the ti4200 on call of duty?lol I know its a hard question but does anyone know?