I kinda need a new video card for my PC...

[brap]

My Leadtek Ti4200 is creaky. The fan died a while back, it's just running with a copper heatsink at a crazy 33% overclock. Rock solid tho'.

I need a replacement, but I don't really understand the numbers nowadays - they seem to have just gotten silly. Is there something which will comfortably outperform my 4200 (I can bench 10,000+ on 3dMark 2001) for very little cash right now, or am I stuck with it?

For reference, my setup is as follows:

Nforce2-based Abit board (I forget)
1GB PC2700 skanky micron memory, only runs at CL2.5
XP2800+
Leadtek MyVIVO Ti4200
Couple of 120GB ATA100 hard disks
Sundry optical drives, etc.

It's all running at stock speeds beside the video card. I know the memory needs replacing, I could run at DDR400 then, but blech!

[ewinemiller]

Is there something which will comfortably outperform my 4200 (I can bench 10,000+ on 3dMark 2001) for very little cash right now, or am I stuck with it?

It depends on what your definition is for very little cash. My suggestions at a few price points are:

At about~$165, a Geforce 5700 Ultra
At about ~$185, a Geforce 5900 XT
At about ~$260, a Radeon 9800 Pro w/256 meg

All of those will comfortably outperform your ti4200, some more than others.

[tjmcardl]

I currently have a Radeon 9500 in my system, which I think is about the same age/level as yours, maybe a little newer. I'm personally waiting for the Nvidia 6600GT to come out with an agp interface (right now there's only a pci express version). It's basically a 'mid-level' version of the new 6800 series cards-which is the current highest performance level along with the ATI X800s. But the 6600s run considerably cooler and are getting great performance reviews. It's expected to come in at about $200, but I have no idea when it will be out.

http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_6600.html

Tim

[brap]

I currently have a Radeon 9500 in my system, which I think is about the same age/level as yours, maybe a little newer. I'm personally waiting for the Nvidia 6600GT to come out with an agp interface (right now there's only a pci express version). It's basically a 'mid-level' version of the new 6800 series cards-which is the current highest performance level along with the ATI X800s. But the 6600s run considerably cooler and are getting great performance reviews. It's expected to come in at about $200, but I have no idea when it will be out.

http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_6600.html

Tim
That sounds great. I'd rather spend £150 or so and have something that will last as long as this beast has done; I'm getting the impression we're inbetween generations right now... Thanks!