Help!!! I need to upgrade my video card!!!

[ChangoMan]

Hello everyone!

My current video card is a geforce 4 Ti4200. I've had it for almost 2 years now, and it has been great, but I feel that it's getting outdated...

I want to get the new radeon 9800xt, but it's really expensive...

What should I do??? Should I:

A: Bite the bullet and buy it.

B: Buy it later when the price goes down.

C: Get another, cheaper video card.

If i should choose "B", how long will it be before the price starts falling?

Thanks!!!!

[cuffs007]

From what i feel you're saying, i think you should stick with the current card you have and wait til prices drop on other cards you want... You have a nice card now, so hang loose and it'll get down to a price level that wont make you bite the bullet... i'd say wait about 6 months and the prices should start getting lowerrrrr...

Good luck

[Panama Red]

Here's a link to a recent review of mid level video cards. Previously tested high end cards are included for comparison. Since the ATI 9600 XT is the 3rd best card behind the big brother 9800's, I'd recommed that one. I added one to the system in my sig recently and was able to find it at Newegg for $165 in oem. No games included. You can get it retail for under $200 and get a coupon for HL2 when it's released. My 3DMark2001 numbers went from 7100 with an ATI 9200 to 12,200 by just changing vid cards.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1933&p=3

[flanzig1]

You have to remember that prices generally come down when the vendor introduces the next great improved faster new model product.

[BearEater]

stick with ti4200. its still powerful...unless you are very hardcore and want to run latest demanding games on highest fps.

[ATW]

Buy the 9800 Pro...you save $160 over the XT and only a very minimal performance difference. $298 at newegg once they get some back in stock.

[icallmedan]

If you are hard pressed for money now, wait, because the ti4200 is still pretty good, but if you have the money, and you don't want to upgrade again for a while go with the 9800XT. I just bought one, but I have yet to use it because my motherboar needed to be RMAed.

[Dswissmiss]

Stick with the Ti4200. I contemplated the same thing a few months ago after buying Max Payne 2, and realyzing that it requires a direct x9 card which the Ti4200 is not. But I've since realized that it's the only game requiring a direct x9 card, and I'm playing all the other games at maxed out video options just fine.
If you do eventually decide to upgrade, you'd probably be happy with a 9600xt, since at the time you built your rig, the difference of the Ti4200 compared to the Ti4600 was the same then as the 9600xt is now to the 9800xt. (let me know if this isn't clear enough)

[brassman]

I agree with a lot of the other advice. The ti4200 is still a good card. Hang in there for awhile longer, and the 9800 will come down.

[icallmedan]

Yeah, that seems like the best bet....just wait. If you are one that is waiting for HL2, see how the Ti4200 plays on it, then if necessary, upgrade.

[Evanin]

I had the same problem with my new computer, my friends wanted me to get the 9800, but it did not fit in my budget, i got the Nvidia GeForce 5600 Ultra, was 150. Works great, you shoud either get a mid-level one or wait for the price to go down, could be waiting along time.

[ChangoMan]

OK, I guess i'll wait a while. Thanks!

[imbest123]

If you wait for prices to go down then there will just be anohter need for a better video card than the one you want right now. I suggest saving up your money then buying a kick @$$ video card, like whatever is top of the line by then.