I Want The Best Bang For My Buck

[hamerlee]

I've recently been in the market for a new video card. I thought I had my heart set on a geForce4 440 mx chipset, but after doing some research on the web, I am starting to have second thoughts. I am a light-hearted gamer, and wanted a card that provided a good performance to dollar ratio, and it was the 440 mx chipset that seemed to be the consensus among sales people. However, after reading some reviews on the product, it seems the GeForce4 4200 ti is the way to go. Granted, I'm spending approximately $50 more (based on on-line prices), but the longevity, compatibilty, and performance seem to be worth it. Although the price range for the 4200 stretches my budget, I'm beginning to think my dollars would be better spent going this route. Can anyone knowledgable enough give me assurance that the 4200 ti chipset IS the way to go? Or perhaps my initial plan on the 440 mx chipset is the bang for my buck. The last thing I want to do is spend more money than I need to. Thanks for your help!

[Allan]

Hi, welcome to AOA Forums!

Don't buy the 440MX! Its as simple as that. You will get better performance buying a GeForce3-Ti200, and its also a cheap card. As you state yourself, the TI4200 is even better and it has for a long time been considered the BEST bang for the buck on the nVidia route, closely followed by the GeForce3 TI200. Both cards will perform well.

I can reach 9300 points in 3Dmark2001 with my GeForce3 TI-200. However, if you are willing to shell out the extra dollars, the TI4200 is an even better deal... yet more expensive here and now.

Hope this helps a bit.

[ByteWipe]

mx is definitely not worth any money you throw at it!

as for the ti4200, its a wise investment, ive not had a problem with mine, but over the last few weeks i've started to look in favour of the ATi brand cards, especially if you can pick up a Radeon 9500 non-pro 128mb, given that its only a hacked driver away from a 9700, and once overclocked, a 9700-pro. Granted, it's a lottery as to whether you can get a board that will do this, but the 9500 is not a bad card anyway!

[Staz]

http://oc3dmark.octeams.com/cardguide.html

An ATi Radeon 8500 le would be a good purchase it the 4200 is out of your price range. As said B4 do not get an MX card

[ByteWipe]

Hmmm, the 9500np is quite expensive according to that! Nevermind, do what staz says

[funnyperson1]

the 8500Le is a good choice if youre strapped for money, but ive seen 4200s going for 100$ at compusa and bb, avoid mxs like the plague lol

[SteveI]

I agree with everyone.. MX bad, lol.
8500 LE very good deal (250/250).
4200, nice too, if you want to spend a little more.

[marcofra2000]

It would also depends if you want directx 8 tech or directx 7, if you want dx7, atleast get a geforce 2 ultra I think, if you want dx 8, then get atleast a geforce 3 ti 200 or the classic version if possible.