Should I still get a FX5200?

[Harry Muscle]

I had ordered an MSI FX5200 TDR-128 (non Ultra) a few weeks back (before all
of this bad DX9 performance stuff). However, they ran out of stock and I
have the option of cancelling my order. So I'm wondering if I should.

I guess the correct question would be: in light of all of the news lately
about performance, etc. what would you recommend as a nice entry level card
for around 130CND (or 90US). I'm an occasional gamer, hence my small video
card budget. The rest of my system is brand new (ie: A7N8X board, Athlon
2500, 512MB, etc.)

Thanks,
Harry

 

[Skid]

Considering the rest of your system is quite potent, I'd suggest matching it
with a video card of at least moderate performance. A Radeon 9500 or 9600
(non-pro) can be had for about $100 U.S. Anything less would be a waste,
IMHO, especially for a gamer -- occasional or otherwise ;>)

 

[Joe Hayes]

Definately cancel the order. The 5200 is terribly slow unless you turn off
all the fancy eye-candy options. Even the 5600 isn't that hot.

 

[bluestringer]

Definately cancel the order. The 5200 is terribly slow unless you turn off
all the fancy eye-candy options. Even the 5600 isn't that hot.

Where do you get that from. Have you tried a 5200? My 5200 Ultra performs
great. I can max everything with AA and Ansio and still get very playable
frame rates.


bluestringer

 

[Tom]

Where do you get that from. Have you tried a 5200? My 5200 Ultra performs
great. I can max everything with AA and Ansio and still get very playable
frame rates.

I haven't tried a 5200 in my current system and I know it would be slow; in
the same way I know a nvidia tnt card would be slow in my system. Some
people are picky about frame rates and resolution, and the 5200 won't be up
to the challenge in many peoples eyes.

If it suits you - great - you didn't have to blow 300 dollars on a video
card that will become obsolete in a year.

Tom

 

[Larry Roberts]

The FX5200 is kinda like buying an old GF3. That's if you get
a true 128bit memory bus version. If you get the 64bit memory bus
version, then it's like a GF2 MX with hardware pixel shaders. I still
have an old GF3 Ti200, and while it still does well, even with current
games, the upcoming HL2, Doom3, and others like it will not run great
I fear.
As for DX8, and earlier type games, I think the card is not
bad, but alot of venders are passing off the 64bit versions as being
128bit. Besides, a used GF3 Ti500 can be found for around the same
price of the Non-Ultra FX5200. The GF3 Ti500 has more raw power than a
128bit FX5200.
Myself, I was gona get an FX5600, but after all the stuff
going on with Nvidia, and the FX line of GPUs, I think my money would
be best spent on ATI this time around. Next time, it'll problably
Nvidia again.

 

[Joe Hayes]

Yes, I tried a 5200 Ultra and it was pitifully slow, even after
overclocking. Furthermore it caused my machine to hang briefly for 10-20
seconds sometimes. This didn't happen with a 5600.

 

[The Bad Momber]

Get an fx5200 Ultra

 

[DaveL]

Good advice.

Dave

Considering the rest of your system is quite potent, I'd suggest matching it
with a video card of at least moderate performance. A Radeon 9500 or 9600
(non-pro) can be had for about $100 U.S. Anything less would be a waste,
IMHO, especially for a gamer -- occasional or otherwise ;>)

 

[We Live For The One We Die For The One]

GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

9600 Pro.

 

[fx]

I haven't tried a 5200 in my current system and I know it would be slow; in
the same way I know a nvidia tnt card would be slow in my system. Some
people are picky about frame rates and resolution, and the 5200 won't be up
to the challenge in many peoples eyes.

If it suits you - great - you didn't have to blow 300 dollars on a video
card that will become obsolete in a year.

Tom

a think to do a good choice you should get the fx5600 witch should
satisfy people running game like ut2003, midnight, club 2, (tron2 and
homeworld 2 witch is every demanding in video performence)...


*Thank you with all for your assistance and support.*

 

[E-rich]

I have a 5200 and UT2k3 gives no issues...and I pushed 100 fps in halo last
night...looks like shitty sht but use the -useff to kill pixel shading and
be amazed!

 

[fx]

I have a 5200 and UT2k3 gives no issues...and I pushed 100 fps in halo last
night...looks like shitty sht but use the -useff to kill pixel shading and
be amazed!

what's your setting is your VideoCard overclock?


*Thank you, all, for your assistance and support.*

 

[E-rich]

Settings is on fully quality all the way, with AA and such set to
application. Yes its OC'ed, but only to like 248/470, not much, and doesnt
even need it at this point.

 

[Dark Avenger]

Get an fx5200 Ultra

As if that will do it...nope

FX5200 is simply to slow ...a true budget card at heart!

 

[Harry Muscle]

Thanks to everyone who responded, I went with a Sapphire Radeon 9600 non
Pro, only a few bucks more than what I wanted to spend and a way better
card.

Thanks again,
Harry

 

[mcheu]

Get an fx5200 Ultra

If the FX5200 Ultra is considered an option, you may as well just go
with a FX5600 non-Ultra. The pricing on those is extremely close, but
the FX5600 offers considerably better performance. The pricing is so
close (and the pricing scheme so incredibly stupid) that many stores
won't even bother stocking the FX5200 Ultra.