Graphics card advice

[richjob]

So I've been rocking an oldish Geforce 4200ti for a couple of years and I want to upgrade it to something that plays games at 1024x768 at a decent clip.  I've got a 17" monitor, so I'm not interested in higher resolutions.

I realized my need to upgrade after trying to play Doom 3, and watching a slideshow.

As I'm getting up there in years, I don't play as much 3D shooters as I used to. The last one I bought and played regularly was UT 2004.  Still plays decently on my old Geforce 4, especially after the slight overclock I bus on him.

More strategy titles - your Civs, Rise of nations type of stuff.  Oh yeah.  And Sims 2.  Pulls in the girls something fierce. 

I was wondering if a Geforce 6200 was a decent upgrade option for the Geforce 4200.  (if itt's not, I'll use it to replace the GeForce 3 I have in another machine)

Any suggestions, oh gamers of GATT?

And no, I don't wish to spend lots of money.  Secondhand is OK, once it's from a reputable seller.  May do that closer to Christmastime. 

[Crixx_Creww]

6200 only really makes sense on  a laptop

dont do yur self that evil

If you can get your hands on a 5950xt or a 5950 non ultra

you wont be dissapointed.

you dont need to go 6 series to get great performance.

If you do want to go 6 series.
THen 6600 will suit yu well.

Many men have come across that little beast and are very happy with it.

Me, i rock my 6800 non ultra and am veryyyyy happy with it

[TrinireturnofGamez]

get a geforce 6  , FX serious cards  have poor DX9 implementation and will lag far behind even a 6600 . 

[Czar]

What kinda budget we talkin bout here rj?

[Crixx_Creww]

get a geforce 6  , FX serious cards  have poor DX9 implementation and will lag far behind even a 6600 . 

not true

after youve had your hands on a 5950 xt and overclocked it

you will not be dissapointed.

Trust me.

[Kaizen]

uhh i have a 6200 works pretty good plays doom 3 so on..
but get a 5950 if you can but i still will promote the 6200

[richjob]

The 6600s looked a mite expensive, but if that is what it will take...

Maybe I'll get somebody who's upgradin their rig for Christmas.

[Beomagi]

richjob - how much are you planning on spending? are you able to purchase fron online stores shipping to the us?

And the FX series WAS a huge letdown.
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050524/vga_charts-02.html#3d_mark_2005
VLIW processing proved to deliever poor performance before - recall transmeta.

[Netizen1]

I think the real question is, do you need an AGP or PCIe card? Since you said you're upgrading a 4200ti, then let's assume an AGP card is the goal

that said, for less than US$200 you can try to acquire a GeForce 6600GT 256MB 128-bit AGP 4x/8x yada yada yada

or for el cheapo, you can just grab a 5500 at www.buytrinidad.com (not online, call the store for price 622-8324)


Crixx: the 5950 is a lil hard to find nowadays so he'd be better off getting a 'newer' card. Unless you know someone willing to sell theirs in the trading grounds....

[richjob]

Got a decent AGP card second hand.  It's a good upgrade.  Meh system down, though.