imported_Cablerat

K I'm looking for a video card for my bud's computer..

He's got the mx440 right now, which isn't supported for much anymore.

I have the Abit TI4200... Since I bought that I pretty much walked away from the scene.. Now I see all this Geforce FX and ATI 9+ Series..

I'm wondering which one is best bang for the buck? looking at a 200-300 price range.. Purpose is for gaming mostly.

I read up on the FX 5600, seems decent but I'm wondering how it compares to my TI 4200, better or worse? What about the ATI Radeon 9600s? or should I stick with Nvidia?

oh and memory recommendations? go for 256 or 128?

I know some video cards with more memory have a slower recovery speed which pretty much makes the extra memory useless unless it goes into intense 3d processing.. IE - TI 4200 64 meg was faster than the 128 in almost all applications..

Thanks.

xenon_194

Nvidia is loosing its touch in the graphic market, ATI has taken a large share. I would go with the 9600 if money is an issue. That is a real bang for the buck. If you have a lil more to spare, go with the 9700. If you don't care how much it costs, most def go with 9800 256mb. Now for the memory issue. I personally think its up to you on how much you want to spend. Some games actually take some benefit from having more memory. I think having 256 will help you out more in the future than it will right now. So see where you see yourself with this video card in a year or so and go from there.

imported_Slvr-Bullet

I was in the same situation as you were a while back. As of now the best bang for the $$ is the ATI 9600 pro (That's what I picked up). Don't get cards that are "non pro" cuz you'll lose out on performance. The 5600 Ultra by nVidia IS a good card but the ATI always blows it away in performance. nVidia also has a new card out, the 5700 Ultra which is suppose to compete with ATI's 9600XT but haven't seen it in stores yet and dunno about $$.

As for the 9700 pro, yes that is a far better card but I think it's becoming harder to find.

If you want to do some more research check out Tom's Hardware and look at their reviews. He is/they are well known for doing good reviews on computer hardware.

lordm

i have the ati 9600 all in wonder with dual moniter hi defeinition out put and it rocks. i am playing hitman 2 on a 46 inch hidef tv and it rocks. i think its the best bang for the buck.

imported_Torrey

Geforce FX 5600 256mb

I have had that for awhile, and zero complaints.
It supports output for a 2nd monitor and S-Video

imported_jaysi

I have a 9600 Pro 128mb. Excellent card with alot of overclocing capablities, if you're into that.

Has the DVI out, VGA out, Svideo Out. Dual monitor support etc etc.

Best bang for the buck. Runs NFSU in 1024x768 full graphics with ease.

Notorious

Ive been happy with my GeForce TI4200 128 DDR ram.

I say get the ATI Radeon 9600, as it has been performing much better on the market

imported_Promoking

lordm: How much was your 9600 All in Wonder?

imported_Cablerat

yeah I'm more than happy with my ti 4200 but i need something for my friend.

Brett

I've got a Radeon 7500 no problems. Also consider that ATI is a Canadian company and its good to support the locals

Middlemiss

iTrader: (2)

Does he want to sell the gforce mx440? its 128 ram right?

T-Shirt Ninja

Ive got an ati aiw 8500dv, lotsa problems with it, tho I can't figure out if its the video card or something else cauing games to freeze. Whenever I play FF11 itll freeze during gameplay, and not even in intense graphic loading frames, sometimes with just me on the screen. It's not technically supported by the game tho, so I dunno if its the card. Also sometimes when I boot my monitor won't turn on, I dont think its getting a signal from the card, I'm prolly gonna sell it to m friend who wants to upgrade his card for 100 bucks (250 in stores still). I like the fact that I can record tv tho, thats whats keeping em from chucking it in lieu of a higher 9000+ ati card.

imported_Joker

Brisk20

ATI is definately the video card to be using these days... If your cash strapped 9600PRO or maybe a clearance 9500PRO (last years model, still excellent cards thou)... as far as memory get what you can afford but if your cash strapped 128 will do just fine

NoSpleeny

I have the Radeon 9500... better card than the nVidia ones for sure!

I don't even play games. I use to so that's why I bought it. Otherwise a 1 meg Trident video card would have been sufficient.

lordm

it came with my supper compter. i paid 1640 for everything
2.6c p4 800fsb 120 gig and 80 gig 7200 segate hd ati all in wonder 9600 pro 128 mb ddr ram 512mb ddr ram chips 8 2.0 usb
digital 5.1 audio dual monitor out hd out dvd/rw rom/burner and a thermaltake super tower with 8 cooling fans with fan controler

imported_jaysi

Those thermaltake cases are nice. I have my eye on one, but the shop wants $200 or so. Little too much for a case...