TheClarkster

I have just built my own new computer and the only part I didn't buy is the video card.
I was looking for something relatively cheap but also has enough power to play the majority of games.
So far I've basically been deciding between the GeForce 4 MX440 or the Ti4200.
So what I need to know is if it's really worth it to get the Ti4200 or if the MX440 will be enough to get by on with games like Morrowind and SWG.
And also, if anyone knows where I can find one at a low price. Lowest I've seen for the MX440 is $41.
Thanks in advance.

juanvaldes

get the Ti.

spcae maggot

Bah, post got chewed.
Yeah, don't get the Mx because it's just a juiced up GF2(Directx 7 compliant is as far as she goes), as such you'll miss the cool water effects in morrowind.
Tried newegg? the prices seem pretty good there.

urbandev

www.overclockersforums.com

lots of knowledgeable people there...

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sooz

MX = trash!

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Kam

Go with the Ti-4200. I got mine (ASUS 8x AGP 128mb) for about $150 on newegg.com. My friend has the MX, and it just doesnt compete.

mrquackers

MX really isn't worth the cash. If you can hang on for a little while longer, another price drop is coming to video cards real soon and you can get one of the new Radeon cards for a decent price. It won't be the 9700 or 9800, but one of the more upscale consumer cards will be worth it if you're planning to get any of the AAA games this year, like Doom III or Half Life 2.

The Radeon 9600 with 128MB is $169 right now - and you can probably find it for less. It supports DirectX 9, which the GeForce 4 doesn't. If you prefer to stick with nvidia, I'd suggest spending a little more and getting one of the lower end GeForce FX cards - again for the DX9 support. In the long run, it'll be a better use of your money.

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scope

AS people stated above, the MX is NOT worth it at all. It is simply and overclocked and tweaked Geforce 2.
My personal suggestion would be not to get an Nvidia card but instead go for an ATI Radeon series.

The_Dude

go w/ the TI or some cheap FX's. i found a FX on sale for 99 bucks.

i have a mx440 128mb card and it's pleased me so far.

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oblar

i have to agree.. if you arent a huge video fiend and you dont mind a lower end video card, get the GeForce2 MX, because it is basically a cheaper version of the G4 MX.

however, if you actually want the difference in speed, get the Geforce4 Ti.. (pay attention to what Ti you get.. the Ti4200 64mb is faster than the 128mb version.. but if you get the Ti4600 then go with the more ram)

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YaWhateva

Dont get the FX 5200 though, even though it does have direct x 9 the geforce 3's out perform it.

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RelaX

hmm... I just ordered the MX440, haven't got it yet, but then again, I'm on a P3 450 and I hardly ever play games.
From what research I did, it is a decent card, for the price.

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juanvaldes

Since you don't game it will treat you just fine. Hell, your P3 can't even feed it to capacity.

TheClarkster

Overall, which is the better bang for your buck?
The Ti4200 or the ATI 9600?
I just want something that I can be sure will handle HL2.

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Vizzini

Go for the Saphire 9500pro
Cheaper than the 9600 non-pro and the only difference is the 9600 is slightly faster. BUT the 9500pro can be relatively easily o/c to faster than the 9600.

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Stargazer01

The 9600PRO is far more overclockable than the 9500PRO because it lies on the .13Micron core and it runs cooler already. It also sports ram that is most of the time better than that found on the 9500PRO. Its a good card for the $200 price range.

MontanaXVI

i got an fx5200 as stated in another post, it supports dual monitors comes with 128mb ddr looks good, however dont worry too much about how things come out on a benchmark with 3dmark or another bench program.

if u got something and it plays your games movies etc good then roll with it

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Gambrinous

mx's are crap
I belive that the lowest gf4mx is actually worse than a higher class gf2(damn.... what where those called...)

yeah I would say look on the net for a 4200 as Kam said, there pretty cheap and are loads better then what else is in the price range

Infinite Hybrid

I use a gf4MX card. I haven't had any real problems and it treats me well for the most part. The big reason why I went with that one was because I was upgrading from not having a video card (the Dell I had didn't come with a good video card) to just having something, more like a stop gap card.

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goddfather40

My Ti 4200 has worked well. Mine is made by MSI and I got it last month for like $100 bucks or so from some vendor on Pricewatch. I thought it was a steal at that price.

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Sabu

Yeah - I got the GF4MX440 and it does the job with a few of the settings turned down - My friend has the GFTi4200 and quite simply its is a different league.

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froseph

ati 9500 pro makes a good choice as well. Better than the ati 9600.

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Dragonlich

the 9500 pro is very popular, mostly because of it's good price-quality comparison, and the overclockability... The 9600 might even be slightly slower at times. The Ti4200 is good, if only capable of DirectX 8, not 9. So it's Radeon or Geforce FX; for me anyway.

WetSpot

I have a TI4600 but plan on getting a fx 5800 soon. (Work has a GREAt 2 yr no intrest computer lona program - and they let you build your own!) Here's the question - I got my 4600 a year ago. The new cards simply blow it away in all the benchmarks that I have seen. But the price (even on the 4x's) is not dropping on the 4600 - at least not much. Anyone know why?

mustang91

To chime in with everyone else, go with the Geforce4 Ti4XXX

I own a Ti4400 and it suits me fine. Plays things quite nicely. Another possible solution, for a slightly better card, would be (as suggested) the 9500 or 9600 from ATI.

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Konichiwaneko

The 9500 is actually faster then the 9600 in many test. I personally have a 9700 all in wonder, and have really been satisfied with it.

My suggest, www.newegg.com, and get the saphire 9500 for $139.

The 9500 was basically a 9700 cut back. The 9600 is actually hardware different then the 9800, thus the lower speed when compared to the 9500.

Here are some quick links for you

Decent end Radeon 9100 - $70, better then the 440 MX I believe

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...21087296860950

4200 - $120

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?sku=P450-7241

9500 - The one I would get, Tigerdirect isn't the best.


http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...102-271&DEPA=1

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Dragonlich

Simple: they're expensive to manufacture, if they're made at all. The stores are full of them, and have paid full price; they need to get rid of them without making too much of a loss...

We have some left, and sell them at a discount - you might want to look around a bit for such options.

But I'd *still* go for either a geforce FX or a Radeon chipset - it's better for future DirextX 9 games.

mrquackers

Keep in mind the Ti4600 does not support DX9 - which will be crucial for Half Life 2, Doom III and other upcoming games. The ATI 9600 does offer DX9 support.

If you prefer nvidia cards, the mid-range GeForce FX cards offer DX9 support. Either way, don't invest in a card that will be obsolete in the very near future.

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TheClarkster

Does the 9500 offer DX9 support?

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Konichiwaneko

yes it does

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a_divine_martyr

So a 9500 is the best bet, I'm assuming?

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mustang91

Yup...9500 best bang for the buck

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"...like Vietnam, or those bands that never got over the fact they opened for Nirvana, I never got over her." -Nick Hornsby

mrquackers

yep. Can't go wrong with the 9500.

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Dragonlich

Ditto

aarchaon

GeForceMX cards do not have pixel shaders of any kind. Thats bad. I'm pretty sure just about any other card out on the market these days does have pixel shaders.

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