FX5600 or 4200?

[Mikie]

For a XFX GeForce4200 VIVO $147
For a XFX GeForce5600 VIVO $169
Or Leadtech 4200 SE for$165

It will be replacing a GeForce2 Pro, in a 1.4Ghz PIV machine

I am just looking for opinions, and I would like the VIVO portion of the card so 2 Cards can go to 1.

Thanks

[Greddy]

Hi, If it was me buying one of the graphics cards i would choose the XFX GeForce4200 VIVO but thats just me, hehe.

[Showtime8000]

For only 22 bucks more, I would recommend you go the XFX GeForce5600 VIVO. It will prove more functional and a better value in the long run.

[ol' man]

DX9 is what you want real soon. For that the 5600 is way better or for a better price maybe check out the 9500pro.

Here are pricewatch prices. The 256mb 5600 looks tempting too.

Video Card
$88 - Xtasy Everything
$75 - Xtasy 6564
$140 - Xtasy 5864
$317 - Matrox Parhelia
$55 - Kyro II 64MB
$23 - 3D Glasses
$107 - Voodoo5
$20 - Voodoo3
$6 - RADEON VE
$56 - RADEON All-In-Wonder
$498 RADEON 9800 Pro 256MB
$366 RADEON 9800 Pro 128MB
$265 - RADEON 9700 Pro
$205 RADEON 9700 128MB
$163 - RADEON 9600 Pro 128MB
$141 RADEON 9500 128MB
$123 - RADEON 9500 64MB
$77 - RADEON 9200 128MB
$66 - RADEON 9200 64MB
$74 - RADEON 9100 128MB
$62 RADEON 9100 64MB
$78 - RADEON 9000 Pro 128MB
$59 RADEON 9000 Pro 64MB
$56 RADEON 9000
$72 - RADEON 9000 128MB
$56 RADEON 9000 64MB
$65 - RADEON 8500
$45 - RADEON 7500
$61 - RADEON 7500 128MB
$31 - RADEON 7000
$65 - RADEON 64MB DDR VIVO
$36 - RADEON 32MB DDR
$224 - GeForce FX 5800
$163 - GeForce FX 5600 256MB
$146 - GeForce FX 5600 128MB
$68 - GeForce FX 5200 128MB
$59 - GeForce FX 5200 64MB
$142 - GeForce4 TI 4800
$167 GeForce4 TI 4600
$236 - GeForce4 TI 4600 8x AGP
$110 - GeForce4 TI 4200 128MB
$87 - GeForce4 TI 4200 64MB

[Greddy]

On the 256mb version of the FX5600, it doesn't take advantage of the 256mb unless your on a really high resolution and it doesn't really give you that much of a perfomance increase either. Just my thoughts and info from readin.

[Mikie]

I am just looking at 128mb, I just cannot believe that you need more video card memory than system memory at this point, or even any time in the near future.

By the time we actually "need" 256 on a video card there will be the ATI 109700 and the FX 105600.

Pricewatch is always the first stop. It is just tricky finding a good price and have the ability to send to a PO box in Italy.

Every one loves the UPS (United Parcel Service) man, but the USPS (United States Postal Service) man really gets no love, but the do love the USPS and "handling" fee though. 1 card on average costs me 22-35 dollars in shipping.

I am leaning towards the 5600, just for future proofing, but I wanted some other opinions on the ~$30 difference being worth it.

I tend to only upgrade every other cycle and to the next lower revision.

[ol' man]

To future proof your self would be to get the most video ram you can.

On the 256mb version of the FX5600, it doesn't take advantage of the 256mb unless your on a really high resolution and it doesn't really give you that much of a perfomance increase either. Just my thoughts and info from readin.

Yeah well that is what we got now, 1600X1200 or even higher.

[transtrem]

Wait for the 5600Ultra, the regular 5600 is not very impressive.

[Marvt74]

well if you not half life 2 when it comes out says the recommended graphics card has 128mb and minimum is 64mb so i dont think it`ll betoo long until 128mb is minimum either.

maybe about 6months or so

[tamp0i]

Well, for me i think i'll rather choose Ti4200 than the FX5200 although it support DirectX9..... What i think acceptable is FX5800 above, well maybe this is me

[lostcarpark]

If you have your heart set on NVidia, get the 5600Ultra. The 4200TI doesn't support DirectX 9 shaders.

However for value for money, the Radeon 9500pro or 9600pro is worth considering. The 9500pro offers higher performance, but won't be available too much longer.

James

[Mikie]

I have actually been looking for the 9500Pro, but word is out and that card is fetching quite a premium.

Does anyone know of a site that has compared the 4200 with the 5600?

I cannot find one, and have searched the major sites.

[lostcarpark]

I'm not sure what the 4200 goes for these days, but the 9500pro is definately cheaper than the 5600 Ultra.

Here's a review on the 5600 which includes both the 9500pro and the 4200 in the benchmarks.

[Mikie]

That review includes the 5600 Ultra. What is the difference? Or is there no normal?

I was looking at the 5600 256Mb VIVO for $162, but it does not say ultra on it.

Any idea on the differences?

[Mikie]

From what I have found they are almost identicle. Until the AA is turned on then the 5600 seems to shine to a point.

The real question is wait or not.......no wait that question has no answer, the question is is it worth the difference in money?