for gaming, looking for video upgrade

[Byte 2.0]

Ok, I currently have a Gforce 3, TI 200, 64 meg

I am getting ready to get in the new game Hozions when it is out. I am signed up for beta but probably will not get in.

The Game is due out in about 2 months and I am trying to decide what video card to get. I expect to wait almost until release before I buy one, since I know if you wait one month prices are totally different.

Anyways I want a good gaming card with 128 meg of ram.

The game requires Gforce 3 recommends Gforce 4, so I want something in the 4 family

I would like to stay around 100 dollars if possible and I was looking as a few that I would like ideas on.

I don't want one with 128 just to say it has it, It must out preformance my current video card.
from newegg

Leadtek WinFast A340 TD-128 Geforce FX5200 8XAGP 128MB VGA, DVI & TV-Out - RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Memory: 128 DDR 128-bit 4ns
Bus: 8X AGP
RAMDAC: 400MHz
Max Resolution: 2048x1536 @ 85/75/60Hz
Max DVI Res: 1600x1200
Max TV-Out Res: 1024x768
Support VGA, DVI, TV-Out
$82.00 shipped--since it doesn't say is this card in the Gforce 4 family??


any thoughts on this card?

[Sanke]

Mate, that's a Geforce 5!

I don't know much about American economics, but I'm sure there are a few good performing cards out.
MSI have a few good cards out at the moment, some of which include home theatre and a remote control.

I'd suggest an MSI.

[Mr N8]

The FX5200 performs like an MX card. I would stay away from it. There is a reason its only $82. Look for the ti4200 and th Radeon 9600 series to be dropping in price, soon. Especially the 9600 with the release of the new 9600ProXT.

[Byte 2.0]

yea I know it is a mid level card, but is it any better then my current card? I don't want to buy a top of the line card but I definitely don't want to be equal or lesser then what I currently have.

[Mr N8]

The FX 5200 is a better card than the GF3 TI200. The ti4200 seems to be dropping slowly, but unless a local store has a sale or rebate, I don't think they will get down to $100 within a couple of months. You should notice a little difference, as looking at benchmark (if you trust them) the fx 5200 seems to score about 25-35% faster than the ti200.

[Surge1243]

Any of the GF4 Ti series cards would be a better buy than the FX 5200. Even though the FX has an advantage in that it has DX9 support, we've all seen the infamous Half-Life 2 benchmarks that show the FX series dismal DX9 performance. The ideal would be a Radeon 9600 but since you don't want to spend quite that much, I'd go with a Ti 4200. It's better than both the GF3 and the GF FX.

[zip86]

Originally posted by Mr N8
The FX5200 performs like an MX card. I would stay away from it. There is a reason its only $82. Look for the ti4200 and th Radeon 9600 series to be dropping in price, soon. Especially the 9600 with the release of the new 9600ProXT.

I was planning on buying a Raedon 9600 just recently but I decided to wait a bit. Good thing I did if the price is going down soon. Do you know when and about how much 9600 Pro will be when Pro XT comes out?

[Mr N8]

I would think you will see a 10% - 15% or so price drop. Sticks the 9600 pro anywhere between $140 - $160.

[zip86]

When is the new 9600 PRO XT coming out?

[Thewiggster]

Hi

I would say you should get a Radeon 9600pro or a Geforce FX 5600 as they are good cards but I would go with the radeon and benchmarks on lots of games come out better now with radeon cards

-----Mark Wiggo-----

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by zip86
When is the new 9600 PRO XT coming out?

I haven't seen a release date, but since the card has been talked about, I would assume it will be out in 2-3 months. Most likely they will try for Nov to get it out for Christmas sales.

[Byte 2.0]

well i have a little time, maybe I will just got the extra and get an ATI 9600 pro. I am waiting about a month before I will be ready to buy, I will be watching in case the right deal hits. I want a card i am going to be happy with for awhile.

[Blakhart]

A 5200 is not an upgrade from a gf3, it's a downgrade.

[Hi Ho]

I have a Gainward Geforce 4ti 4800se and it is great. It was $150 at Newegg. Other great cards are the Ti 4200 and the Readeon 9600.

[imbest123]

Originally posted by Blakhart
A 5200 is not an upgrade from a gf3, it's a downgrade.
I completely agree. ;)

[Glaive]

More importantly, though, Horizons' graphics are pretty poor compared to the other soon-to-be-released MMORPGs (such as World of Warcraft, Everquest 2, etc.). I don't think you'll really need a card that's super powerful to play it.

Oh, and you're not missing much in beta. The word craptastic comes to mind.

[Byte 2.0]

Glaive are you in the beta? if so and you are sick up it, I would be happy you take your beta account. I have been trying for months to get in on the beta.

Screen shots I have seen at work from a person in the beta, they are far better then everquest. From what I have been told, it is much better then everquest

[ZeratulsAvenger]

I talked my friend out of a FX 5200, then he was gonna get a 9500(oh the power :)) but they were sold out, so he was gonna get a 9600, but finally landed on a Ti 4200. He seems very pleased. I also have one and am very satisfied, but I had an ancient Mac before this so even my Radeon 9000 seems fast :D

And if it wasn't clear, I would go for the Ti 4200 or Radeon 9600.

[Byte 2.0]

I am leaning toward the ATI 9600 now.

[Surge1243]

Good choice!