I have the option of buying the former or keeping the Latter. My current one (the ATI) runs CS:S beautifully since HL2 is optimized for ATI, as well as the BF series pretty well, and Doom3 ok, but the Ti has more memory and is a fair good card from what I have heard. Im going to run benchmarks since i have both cards on hand (kind of like a risk free trial), but Im looking for qualitative as well as quantitative advice.

buy the TiSE sucks

get a geforce 5900 xt instead

I have a 5900XT.I ran the HL2 video test with graphics maxed and averaged 105 fps.

pun what cpu and ram? im anticipating getting one, but my dad doesnt understand that good cards are $150+

guys, i dont mean to be a jerk, but I told you what my options are, PLEASE keep on topic. I CANNOT afford a good video card right now, and I would appreciate it if you dont turn this into a benchmark comparison thread. The computer whose where the card will go is only a temp. rig till I save to buy a new one when PCI express, SLI, and BTX become mainstream.

I'm an ATI fan, but I would go with the TI 4200. The SE is the slowest of the 9600 cards. You won't see a different between 256mb and 128mb but I believe the TI is a better card. It was a beast during its time and still is well respected.

alright, here are the numbers

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-07.html

basically, they have lots of benchmarking charts, but if your graphics card can run Doom3 on High Quality with pretty good FPS, than it will run hl2 will good FPS.

I looked through that chart and found your two selections:

Radeon 9600 SE-11.2 FPS

TI 4200-11.2 FPS

this was on 1024x768 res, no AA/8x AF/and 32bit

I'm sure if you turned down the res to 800x600 and set it to medium quality, you could get a boost in FPS, and still look good.

 

I then looked at some other charts for your cards

Battlefield: Vietnam

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-11.html

9600 SE-24.9

TI 4200-41.7

This was on Max Quality No AA/ No AF/1024x768 res/32bit

 

Joint Ops:

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-10.html

9600 SE-14.9 FPS

Ti 4200-27.2 FPS

this was with No AA/ No AF/1024x768/32 bit

 

anyway, this is the dirt I could scrape up on your cards. SE are usually the low end of ATI cards, so I don't find these numbers shocking.

the Ti 4200 is good for now, but it won't last you past Hl2. You'll probably need to upgrade in a year and a half or so, and don't expect to run anything lik Halo PC.

definately go with the Ti 4200 stay away from SE's

Heh, yeah, you definetly want the TI 4200

 

The 9600se is crap, it's no faster then a Geforce 5200

 

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/index.html

 

The 4200 is still quite respectable, it may be older, but older high end cards always beat the tar out of newer low end cards.

you should give price range next time, chances are one of us could find you a better deal for the same money your looking to spend for these two cards

NM guys, it turns out the card was only a 128mb Ti, and to be honest, my 9600 SE performs well enough to not justify the switch

I've never actually seen a Ti 4200 with 256mb.

pun what cpu and ram? im anticipating getting one, but my dad doesnt understand that good cards are $150+

So, my dad ISN'T the only jerk around here =o

not jerk, just VERY froogle

lol yes, sorry.Just was kinda mad at my dad

DO NOT GET THE 256mb TI4200.The core of a 4200 is NOT capable of using more than 128mb of memory in games. It is a waste of money.Stick with what you have till you can afford a lot better.

Oh yeah. If you can find a GF FX 5600 ULTRA by Gainward. They are faster than a TI4200 and do DX9 pretty well.I got one form Newegg refurbed for $90 shipped and it is a great card.

One more thing.My fastest card b4I bought the 5600 ultra was a 64 meg TI4200. It overclcoks to 320core, 620 mem. It plays Doom3 quite well.It is not the quantity of memory but the speed at which it runs.