What Video Card to buy?

[Showtime]

G-Force 3 ti200($150AR?)
G-force 4 Mx 420($130)
G-force 4 Mx 440($150?)
Radeon 7500 ($100)
Radeon 8500 ($140AR)

All of the cards have 64mgs and i don't need the highest end card available(cash is a scarce commodity).
I need to upgrade my voodoo 4500 agp card. All of these cards should be good enough for next few yrs. I'll be buying ASAP but can wait for a sale.
I'd like to be able to watch DVD's and get a TV out on the card. What card offers the best "bang for the buck" basically. How bad are the drivers for ATi Radeon?
Oh and any input on a good sale right now would be appreciated.
thanks in advance

[jase71]

I'd cut the list down to the Radeon 8500 and the GF3 Ti200.

The ATI drivers are actually halfway decent now. They're not pefect, but they're not the abysmal steaming piles that they used to be.

Speed on the two cards is at least roughly comparable. Both of these should be faster than the others on the list.

Comes down to personal preference, really. If you have a brand loyalty, go with it. Both are good cards. I'm partial to the 8500, because it has better 2D image quality at high resolutions (1600x1200) than the GF3 cards I've seen. That might not matter at all to you.

But you really can't go wrong with either one...

[NuTs62]

I have the Radeon 8500DV AIW. I'm not sure if the drivers are that similar.. But I've experienced problems in WinXP, causing it to crash occasionally. From what others tell me, their regular 8500 works great.. Under Win2k, I didn't encounter as many problems with drivers. Hope that helps a little in making your decision

[Jeffbx]

I would (just did, actually) get the GeForce3ti -

nVidia's driver support is fantastic, the price is right, and 3d gaming performance is amazing.

Now that the GF4's are out, I would say give it a couple more weeks and you should be able to get the GF3 for about $20-30 cheaper.

[attgig]

so, watcha doin with your voodoo4?

[DREDD]

I have a Gainward GF3 Ti200 that I can overclock to 240/550 easily that I'm willing to sell. I'm looking to get about $120 for it (was asking more but prices are falling alot). that included the shipping. I paid $155 for it a few weeks ago. or if you prefer I can get you a Radeon8500 Retail clocked at 275/275 that I will sell for the same price. I have pics of both and both are 100% working and stable for me.

let me know at [email protected]

P.S. I have the 8500 in my system now...had the GF3 there for a while before. I'm willing to sell either as I have no need for 2 cards and both will suit my needs fine.

-DREDD

[Steve-O]

Newegg seems to have really good prices buddy,

Abit Siluro Geforce4 MX 440 64MB $109.00
Aopen Geforce4 MX440 64mb with TV-Out $105.00
LEADTEK GEFORCE4 MX440 64MB VGA & TV-OUT $116.00

Not quite like a geforce 3 but pretty close and good enough for most people. And you can tell people you have a geforece4.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by NuTs62
I have the Radeon 8500DV AIW. I'm not sure if the drivers are that similar.. But I've experienced problems in WinXP, causing it to crash occasionally.

D'oh!!!

hows the 3d quality, and how about the Video/TV?

[NuTs62]

Originally posted by hapoo



D'oh!!!

hows the 3d quality, and how about the Video/TV?

I'll try and post it up when I run intensive 3D apps. I haven't tried the VIDEO/TV either.. Been discouraged to run anything since it keeps crashing. Thinking I might put Win2K back in. But when I took some benchmarks, 3D kicked butt.. 2D was lacking.. The good thing is... it'll only get better from here!

[Showtime]

thanks guys!
you gave me a lot of good feedback and i'm a little closer to making a decision.
As far as the voodoo 4500, my brother already put it in his puter. I'm running my old elsa galatic 32, which isn't bad, but seems to lag a bit.
Dredd, I thanks for the offer but i've had problems with buying stuff off people and if something goes wrong, we'd end up pointing fingers.
I found a t-200 for $129 open box at BB and was tempted but we all know how bad BB can be to deal with.
NewEgg... Leadtek card G4 440 sounds good, i saw it had a faster core speed than the t200 but the memory etc is lower quality. I wonder how's shipping and tax in CA. I'm going to check them out. If I get one, I'll post and give a (cough) honest review.

ps: i'm currently running:
PIII 733
iWill mb
378 mb 133 ram
Sb live
elsa galatic 32

[Showtime]

ok, so after days of debate i finally got the card......... gforce 3 ti 200 from bb(open box). I found it had a $30 rebate and brings it to $110 or so. It seems to work fine and hopefully i dont get screwed on the card or the rebate.
I also picked up a gforce4 MX440 card from micro access for $102. Its a b-day present so i'll be able to compare cards when i see him next. With shipping and tax the cards cost about the same.
Thanks for your help.
I'll be posting questions on OCing and what drivers to use next.

[hapoo]

so jello, when can we expect the video card comparison review?

[Showtime]

The Mx card should arrive in about a week. His is a AMD 600 or 700 and mine is the 733 PIII. To do it right i'd have to use the same computer and benchmark both cards. ...er to make a long explanation short, i doubt there will be a direct comparison. The "pros" are saying the Gf3 is a better card, I'll have to take their word on it.
-jel
whats more scary me behind the wheel as a teenager or me with some thermal paste, a cooler and GF Tweaker tools?