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Why do I find graphics cards so confusing? I'm sure all that fill rate stuff is really great.... but it doesn't mean much to me. And it's not like I'm a complete novice either... But anyway; at the moment I've got a GeForce 2 MX with 32MB memory, but I'm thinking of upgrading. So, here's where you come in, you techo-boffins - tell me the best card I can get, out of SR's range, for about, say, £150, and why it's the best. Is it sufficient for my gaming needs, and how future proof is it etc? Would I be better off setting my budget higher?
Cheers
Cheers
No problem, tell us what you decide on - I want benchmark results to compare to damnit!
Ti200 and 500 are different models of the GF3, see http://nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=geforce3 for comparisons...they all use the nFiniteFX engine, I use a Ti500 myself and it's better than any other I've seen. Ti200 should keep you going fine unless you're a very hardcore gamer, but I really would advise you stay away from the GF4 for now - the performance difference doesn't justify the extra cost, and the MX is very poor, outperformed by a GF2 as Sly Fox said.
I benchmarked two Sparkle graphics cards both of which SR sell last weekend.
Using 3dmark 2001 the GeForce 4 MX440 gave a score of 3516.
The GeForce 3Ti 200 scored a well impressive 4441. Both cards are within your budget with a stretch. The GeForce 4 MX lacks the infiniteFX Engine that’s present on the GeForce 3Ti. The Nvidia web site gives a good run down on the difference.
I think the Sparkle 3TI is very good value and it’s the one I’m going for. Alas with all
Things PC what ever you buy something better and cheaper is always just around the corner. The Geforce 4Ti will be out soon but I would expect to see that in a price bracket somewhat out of your budget. The GeForce 3Ti Should serve you well for
Sometime to come. Hope this helps.
Using 3dmark 2001 the GeForce 4 MX440 gave a score of 3516.
The GeForce 3Ti 200 scored a well impressive 4441. Both cards are within your budget with a stretch. The GeForce 4 MX lacks the infiniteFX Engine that’s present on the GeForce 3Ti. The Nvidia web site gives a good run down on the difference.
I think the Sparkle 3TI is very good value and it’s the one I’m going for. Alas with all
Things PC what ever you buy something better and cheaper is always just around the corner. The Geforce 4Ti will be out soon but I would expect to see that in a price bracket somewhat out of your budget. The GeForce 3Ti Should serve you well for
Sometime to come. Hope this helps.
Get a GeForce 4. GeForce are normally really good, and I'm sure that this will be no exception, and it fits your budget very nicely indeed! There may be better if you want to go a little higher, but you should be content with a GeForce 4. Either way: good luck and I hope that you get what you want.
Reaper[oV] wrote:
> Hm, has to be from SR? Great as your game price are, cheaper hardware places
> around...unless you'd be hunted down and shot like a traitor. I could imagine
> that, actually.
Heh, I hope not - but I might get a discount from here.
Thanks for the help - one last question though, what's the difference between a Ti200 and a Ti500? What do the numbers represent, and how much of a difference does it make?
> Hm, has to be from SR? Great as your game price are, cheaper hardware places
> around...unless you'd be hunted down and shot like a traitor. I could imagine
> that, actually.
Heh, I hope not - but I might get a discount from here.
Thanks for the help - one last question though, what's the difference between a Ti200 and a Ti500? What do the numbers represent, and how much of a difference does it make?
Hm, has to be from SR? Great as your game price are, cheaper hardware places around...unless you'd be hunted down and shot like a traitor. I could imagine that, actually.
Ok, SR then..well, the GF3 Ti200s are £160, they'd last you for a while. I don't really rate the GF4s at all, very little improvement of the GF3, and the MX can't compete at all. SR don't have any others in around that price range I'd really consider, before going up to GF4 4400s and GF3 Ti500s.
Of the Ti200s...well, preferably the Creative, or the Guillemot, not much of a difference between them, all use identical chipsets, so performance is very much down to indidual batches rather than manufacturers.
Ok, SR then..well, the GF3 Ti200s are £160, they'd last you for a while. I don't really rate the GF4s at all, very little improvement of the GF3, and the MX can't compete at all. SR don't have any others in around that price range I'd really consider, before going up to GF4 4400s and GF3 Ti500s.
Of the Ti200s...well, preferably the Creative, or the Guillemot, not much of a difference between them, all use identical chipsets, so performance is very much down to indidual batches rather than manufacturers.
Er, PCformat.co.uk, etc... They review all new cards and give them a 3DMARK score, which is the most accurate representation of quality you'll find.
Why do I find graphics cards so confusing? I'm sure all that fill rate stuff is really great.... but it doesn't mean much to me. And it's not like I'm a complete novice either... But anyway; at the moment I've got a GeForce 2 MX with 32MB memory, but I'm thinking of upgrading. So, here's where you come in, you techo-boffins - tell me the best card I can get, out of SR's range, for about, say, £150, and why it's the best. Is it sufficient for my gaming needs, and how future proof is it etc? Would I be better off setting my budget higher?
Cheers
Cheers