major card confusion: 9600 vs ti4200

[ThermosBoy (TM)]

I'm looking for Nvidia Geforce4 ti4200-level performance in a new
card.

Requirements:
All I want is to be able to play games at no less than the performance
of a Geforce4 ti4200-based card.

* I don't care for anti-aliasing. I just want raw 'jaggy' framerate.
* I want unmatched compatibility and performance with dx8 games.
* I am not concerned with new or upcoming dx9 games and won't be
using them as a basis in the buying decision.

-----------------------------------------
A few quesitons:
1) Which card will offer me this minimum level of performance at the
lowest cost?
2) OpenGL performance with ATI cards was - last I checked - not
quite up to Nvidia speeds. Has this changed?
3) How are current ATI drivers? I can't stress glitch-free gaming,
application support and system stability enough.

Appreciate any help!

 

[Thomas]

I'm looking for Nvidia Geforce4 ti4200-level performance in a new
card.

Why not get the GF4 Ti then?

Thomas

 

[Dark Avenger]

I'm looking for Nvidia Geforce4 ti4200-level performance in a new
card.

Requirements:
All I want is to be able to play games at no less than the performance
of a Geforce4 ti4200-based card.

* I don't care for anti-aliasing. I just want raw 'jaggy' framerate.
* I want unmatched compatibility and performance with dx8 games.
* I am not concerned with new or upcoming dx9 games and won't be
using them as a basis in the buying decision.

-----------------------------------------
A few quesitons:
1) Which card will offer me this minimum level of performance at the
lowest cost?
2) OpenGL performance with ATI cards was - last I checked - not
quite up to Nvidia speeds. Has this changed?
3) How are current ATI drivers? I can't stress glitch-free gaming,
application support and system stability enough.

Appreciate any help!

.... buy an ti4600 or keep your current card, you are asking rather
stupid things!

If you have an ti4200 and you wish that performance why do you need a
new card, if the ti4200 suits you fine!

Maybe though if you truly wish a new card .. an FX5700 Ultra or an
9600 XT. Dead On!

 

[ThermosBoy (TM)]

Geforce4 cards are no longer available here new, that's why I'm
asking.

... buy an ti4600 or keep your current card, you are asking rather
stupid things!

If you have an ti4200 and you wish that performance why do you need a
new card, if the ti4200 suits you fine!

I am buying a new card for a new machine...

Maybe though if you truly wish a new card .. an FX5700 Ultra or an
9600 XT. Dead On!

OK

 

[Mark Stuckless]

The best card on the market right now for the cost (ie: bang for buck)
is the Radeon 9600 pro.

Mark

 

[Darthy]

I'm looking for Nvidia Geforce4 ti4200-level performance in a new
card.

Requirements:
All I want is to be able to play games at no less than the performance
of a Geforce4 ti4200-based card.

* I don't care for anti-aliasing. I just want raw 'jaggy' framerate.
* I want unmatched compatibility and performance with dx8 games.
* I am not concerned with new or upcoming dx9 games and won't be
using them as a basis in the buying decision.

-----------------------------------------
A few quesitons:
1) Which card will offer me this minimum level of performance at the
lowest cost?
2) OpenGL performance with ATI cards was - last I checked - not
quite up to Nvidia speeds. Has this changed?
3) How are current ATI drivers? I can't stress glitch-free gaming,
application support and system stability enough.

Appreciate any help!

1) ATI 9800XT = $200 includes Half Life 2... otherwise 9600Pro for
$175.

2)
Look here: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1933&p=14
Jedi uses the OpenGL Quake Engine, this is the only area of weakness
for the ATI 9x00 series of cards.

But on this page:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1933&p=24

YOu'll see that the 9600Pro is DOUBLE the FPS to the Ti4200 with AA
turned on... 70fps (with AMD64bit CPU)

3)
Glitch free? Not even Nvidia drivers are Glitch free. I still have
my Ti4200... the last 3 drivers I used have NOT been as good as the
30.82s and theres been over 12 releases since that version!

My ATI9800Pro ROCKS... just as stable as my Ti4200 with OLD drivers.

My statements:
1 - AA DOES look good in games, now that I can actually USE IT.

2 - Performance for DX8 games? Then stick with your Ti4200, there are
NO DX8 games it can't handle. I was getting about 80fps with my
Ti4200 in Unreal2 - a DX8 game with some DX9 software hooks... but
with only 70% details. I get well about 100fps with all DETAILS MAXED
now... with AA

3 - Not concerned about DX9 games? Then why upgrade? Buy another
Ti4200 card for $75 online - www.pricewatch.com - its still the best
Price<>Performance card on the market!

Then perhaps OC to Ti4400 speeds.

 

[Darthy]

... buy an ti4600 or keep your current card, you are asking rather
stupid things!

If you have an ti4200 and you wish that performance why do you need a
new card, if the ti4200 suits you fine!

Maybe though if you truly wish a new card .. an FX5700 Ultra or an
9600 XT. Dead On!

Ph yeah... I forgot to add to my post to the OP (ThermosBoy).

If OpenGL is important, as you see with Jedi Knight, then the NEXT
worthwhile upgrade would be the FX5700 at $200~230... which is
typically slower than the ATI9600Pro in many DX9 games.

 

[Dark Avenger]

Geforce4 cards are no longer available here new, that's why I'm
asking.


I am buying a new card for a new machine...


OK

...so a new card for a new system, .. the FX5700 Ultra and the 9600XT
probably are close it GF4 ti performance.. DX8 wise seen!

 

[ThermosBoy (TM)]

3)
Glitch free? Not even Nvidia drivers are Glitch free. I still have
my Ti4200... the last 3 drivers I used have NOT been as good as the
30.82s and theres been over 12 releases since that version!

No, they haven't been perfect, but I still regard them as v.good. When
I said 'glitch free' I basically meant as good as possible with widest
compatibility. Every day I hear of new Catalysts breaking as many
games as they fix, so I'm still weary of ATI. They seem more
problematic, but I dunno really.

My ATI9800Pro ROCKS... just as stable as my Ti4200 with OLD drivers.

cool, unfortunately that's a bit beyond my budget

My statements:
1 - AA DOES look good in games, now that I can actually USE IT.

I agree it looks good, but it's not a requirement for me.

2 - Performance for DX8 games? Then stick with your Ti4200, there are
NO DX8 games it can't handle. I was getting about 80fps with my
Ti4200 in Unreal2 - a DX8 game with some DX9 software hooks... but
with only 70% details. I get well about 100fps with all DETAILS MAXED
now... with AA

hmm, nice

3 - Not concerned about DX9 games? Then why upgrade? Buy another
Ti4200 card for $75 online - www.pricewatch.com - its still the best
Price<>Performance card on the market!

It's for a second system, not an upgrade. To be honest I'd be
perfectly happy if I could get a second ti4200 in Australia for what
they were selling for here recently, but can't now, hence all the
questions. Thanks for your advice.

 

[ThermosBoy (TM)]

The best card on the market right now for the cost (ie: bang for buck)
is the Radeon 9600 pro.

Mark

I'll give it some thought, thanks

 

[ThermosBoy (TM)]

If OpenGL is important, as you see with Jedi Knight, then the NEXT
worthwhile upgrade would be the FX5700 at $200~230... which is
typically slower than the ATI9600Pro in many DX9 games.

thx

 

[Darthy]

No, they haven't been perfect, but I still regard them as v.good. When
I said 'glitch free' I basically meant as good as possible with widest
compatibility. Every day I hear of new Catalysts breaking as many
games as they fix, so I'm still weary of ATI. They seem more
problematic, but I dunno really.

I won't agree... I've been visiting Nvidia groups for over 3 years
since my first GF2mx card where *I* got help on my problem... POS
64bit GF2 card by Creative.

So when you say Problematic, from whom? ATI users? Or Nvidiots?
I still have and USE my Ti4200 in my #2 PC... still works GREAT...
best Card Nvidia has ever made price<>Performance.

I don't see the problems of ATI CAT drivers vs Nvidia...

cool, unfortunately that's a bit beyond my budget

Wasn't selling you the 9800Pro, just that it wasn't an issue and that
was on a Win98se computer.

It's for a second system, not an upgrade. To be honest I'd be
perfectly happy if I could get a second ti4200 in Australia for what
they were selling for here recently, but can't now, hence all the
questions. Thanks for your advice.

Glad you saw my post about the 5700 - check out the www.anandtech.com
review... most detailed review of the sub $200 cards on the market. I
think it would be best for what you want.