Graphics card

[sdtPikachu]

What with my flatmate having built his own comp, I've been planning on building my own uber-PC to last me the next half decade or so... I've been mulling over stuff, but the one thing I really know sod all about it graphics cards.

I'm looking for a card that will give me so-so 3D performance, cos what I'm really looking for is the ability to support dual monitors and video input... one I've been looking at at the mo is the Gainward Ti4200, which seems ideal...

Link 1 (http://www.gainward.com/us/products/gwd_gf4_ultra650xp_gs.htm)

Link 2 (http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MjkyLDE=)

Link 3 (http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1619&p=1)

Seems like it has everything I need and more, and by the time I get around to buying it, it should cost about £140 here.

But just in case I've missed anything, I was wondering if anyone else knew of any similar cards (lower specced is fine, as long as they have dual monitor and video-in). I'm inclined to stick to nVidia, cos they have by far the best Linux drivers, and driver support in general, which is why I avoid ATI like the plague most of the time.

Any ideas?

[Jonbo298]

Not too shabby:D But I can't offer any ideas since I'm not as experienced as you:D :bowdown:

[Angrist]

Hmm... I bought a Diamond Viper V770 in '99... which was pretty good back then. TNT2 32MB :)

At least it's good enough for WarCraft III. :D

[Blade Runner]

Why not go for the 4400?

[manasecret]

I wouldn't get the Ti4200 with 128MB or RAM; get one with 64MB of RAM. The 64MB Ti4200 cards have faster RAM speed, which benchmarks prove that it's faster than the 128MB Ti4200 cards.

Here's some benchmarks from Tom's Hardware:

Max Payne:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphic/02q2/020522/ti4400_4600-12.html#max_payne

Jedi Knight 2:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphic/02q2/020522/ti4400_4600-13.html

3DMark 2001 SE:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphic/02q2/020522/ti4400_4600-14.html

Overall, it looks as if you'll probably get about the same or slightly better performance from the 64MB Ti4200 over the 128MB card. And for $50 cheaper retail, it's very much worth it.

I bought the PNY 64MB Ti4200 on sale for $170 (128MB ones are $250), and with my new computer I have no hitches at all with games, and I mean it. Even Morrowind is running smooth, and that's something considering the problems I've read with people who have Ti4600's.

I know the PNY one I bought has both a VGA output and DVI output (which I think is some digital output that offers better monitor quality if you have a monitor that supports it). I know the PNY doesn't come with a DVI-->VGA adapter, but some of the other brands may. Even if they don't, you can buy an adapter probably from any store. Here's one from CompUSA:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50178328

Here's a CompUSA link to the PNY Ti4200 64MB one I bought:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product%5Fcode=293567&csearch=

Hmmmm..

I just found an article at AnandTech.com comparing the 64MB card to the 128MB card. It looks as if the 128MB card may be better in the longrun as games may use more and more memory.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1643&p=1

And while looking through CompUSA it looks like the price difference is now only $30, so maybe it's worth it. Well, I guess this post was sort of a waste then... :unsure:

db

[sdtPikachu]

Originally posted by Blade Runner
Why not go for the 4400?

What's the point? It costs more, and has the same features (VIVO, multimon, etc) - I'm just paying for more 3D performance, which I don't need, and if I ever do the Gainward Golden Sample is a very overclockable board (there have been lots of people who've cranked theirs up to 4600 speeds).

Hey Angrist - don't dis the TNT2! I've got a Riva TNT2 32MB, and I don't have any complaints about it.

Yum...

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/video/gainward/ti4200/cardfront.jpg

I did consider the MSI one, but the "only" 64 MB's of RAM made it a little less future proof, as well as having less overclocking potential.

I was just wondering if anyine else knew of any gfx cards that might be nice...

[Angrist]

I'm not dissing my video card! It's great! It serves me well, but I'm just saying it's not really new. :)

I really should be dissing my PC. Stupid slow Aldi computer. :green: But it was cheap... :sneaky:

[Blade Runner]

I did consider the MSI one, but the "only" 64 MB's of RAM made it a little less future proof, as well as having less overclocking potential.

They make 128 meg ones now, unless I'm misunderstanding you. Dang nice ones too. Heres a link....

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MzI0
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/vga/vga/pro_vga_list.php?kind=2&CHIP=27&NAME=GeForce%204%20Series

The MSI G4Ti4200-TD is the 128mb and the MSI G4Ti4200-TD64 is obviously the 64mb.

EDIT: Cost $178 at newegg. Here she is....

http://65.119.30.151/productimage/14-127-049-01.JPG