Pentium 3 - 700 Mhz, 512 MB ram, windows XP .
Most games run pretty good with this card, except for some of the newer games..( need for speed -high stakes 2 demo , UT 2003 ) .
I dont want to upgrade my cpu/mobo yet. Do you think upgrading my video card would help out my lagging graphics ? If yes, which card would you recommend for my system ?
thanks in advance
well your p3 700 is the border line but games like bf1942 and ureal 2003 need at least p3 800 but they say you can getby well at least a 32mb card and p3 500 i would say get anything from either the 8500 to the 4600 but if your goin to use this card in your next pc i would get either a ti4400, ti4600 or the ati 9700
A Ti4600 or Radeon 9700 is complete overkill for that pc, me thinks.
I'd say get a Ti4200 128 MB or wait for the lower cost 9500s. But don't expect blazing frame rates.
I was thinking of getting a ti4200. I don't wanna switch over to ATI, since geforce is already set up on my system. I can easily overclock my cpu to 800 Mhz, if needed. I don't expect amazing framerates...I'd be happy with 40-50 fps @ 1024X768 32 bit color.
When Doom 3 comes out, I'll buy a new computer, like everyone else.
I think a Ti4200 will give you a nice boost and I think 40 to 50fps will be attainable in certain games. I doubt you will get 40 to 50ps consistently in UT2003 but your gaming experience will improve.
Btw - This is directed to Intimidator - UT2003 requires at least a 733MHz CPU with 128MB RAM, not a 500MHz CPU. Although it's probably possible to run it on a 500MHz CPU, I wouldn't recommend it.
Hell the Ti-4600 is an overkill for my system!!Quote:
Originally posted by EasyRaider
A Ti4600 or Radeon 9700 is complete overkill for that pc, me thinks.
I'd say get a Ti4200 128 MB or wait for the lower cost 9500s. But don't expect blazing frame rates.
A GF2 Pro is overkill for my system.
I upgraded from GF2MX400 to the GF2 Pro in the rig below.
Yes it was a nice upgrade for 1024-32 gaming but the MX400 can do the same job in 800-32 or 800-16.
In my rig the Pro@ultra speeds gets about 3500 in 3D2K1.
I dropped in in my sisters 1.4G athlon and it gets 4800 straight off the bat.
Most newer games are very CPU taxing.
One of my favorite new games is Mafia but it runs like a pig no matter what resolution im using and only a faster CPU will help.
I think id rather play it in 800-32 with an MX and XP1600+ and get 40pfs than with a GF2Pro in 1024-32 on atlon 800 and only get 10fps
A faster card will alow higher resolution with no hit,but it wont be any faster than your current card is now in low res. Possibly even slower since a faster card puts higher loads on other system components often requiring slower system settings to maintain stability.
I lost 10% CPU/Mem performance by having to drop AGP rate to 1x and turn of AMD superbypass. Im actually considering putting the MX back in so i can max out my system performance for Mafia.
A GF4ti or 8500 will let so see all the pretty DX8 features,use high res with 4xAA and AF but due to their higher CPU reliance may even run slower in low res than the MX on 800Mhz.
IMO A cpu upgrade will help thses new games out more much than a video upgrade.
thanks for all the input...I did slap in a geforce 4 MX from work, and noticed a slightly better framerate, running games at the same settings. Lets face it, a geforce 4 MX is really just an over-clocked geforce 2 MX....This leads me to believe that putting in a geforce 4 ti 4200 will also improve everything.
I really think the G4 4200 will do what you want at an acceptable cost.
yes, totally agree. You need nothing more than a G4ti4200, but no mx this time.If you want a longer term G4ti4200, then the GS GAINWARD 128 or the MSI 128 or ALBATRON TURBO will last you longer thanthe others.
I would grab a used ti200 for $75 and save the $$$ for when doom comes out.
Exactly, why purchase another video card when you will not be able to use its full potential?Quote:
Originally posted by GB_Cobber
IMO A cpu upgrade will help thess new games out more much than a video upgrade.
Also, what kind of RAM is that?
no one has stated this very good choice at this point of time: A radeon 8500LE video card.
Actually the ram is the old pc-100 mhz ( shudder ! ) ,on an Asus CUBX mobo. My work comp is an athlon xp 1600 w 266 mhz ram...much better for games, but its at work..
I'll get a geforce 4 ti4200...but I live in Canada ! Where would I find a used one btw ? and where would you recommend buying a new one ??
you guys convinced me already to get one...but where ?
The ti4200 is a little faster than a non-overclocked 8500le but in Canada the 8500le is way cheaper than a 4200ti.Quote:
Originally posted by dimmy32
Actually the ram is the old pc-100 mhz ( shudder ! ) ,on an Asus CUBX mobo. My work comp is an athlon xp 1600 w 266 mhz ram...much better for games, but its at work..
I'll get a geforce 4 ti4200...but I live in Canada ! Where would I find a used one btw ? and where would you recommend buying a new one ??
you guys convinced me already to get one...but where ?
Canadian prices of cards
I just felt like mentioning the AIW radeon 8500 at Comp USA. Good choice for $149, that should last you a while.
Well, I recieved my new MSI geforce 4 ti4200 64 MB card in the mail yesterday....( 222 $ Canadian )
On some games like soldier of fortune 2 ,not much diff in performance. I was able to crank in a few extra eye-candy settings, without any framerate loss.
Need for Speed - high stakes 2, looks much better, sharper looking cars, smoother gameplay ...much better overall.
This card really shined in all it's glory with Rallisport Challenge...I almost got a hard on, when I saw how beautiful this game runs and looks. It looks spectaclar !
Same for the illegal Doom 3 alpha demo - ok, it runs really slow, but it looks super... :D
Thanks for all the sound advice !
Jimbo