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Old 07-10-2002, 10:37 AM   #1
sdtPikachu
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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

Link 2

Link 3

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?
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Old 07-10-2002, 11:01 AM   #2
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Not too shabby But I can't offer any ideas since I'm not as experienced as you
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Old 07-10-2002, 11:33 AM   #3
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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.
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Old 07-10-2002, 01:59 PM   #4
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Why not go for the 4400?
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Old 07-10-2002, 08:59 PM   #5
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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/graphi...html#max_payne

Jedi Knight 2:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphi...0_4600-13.html

3DMark 2001 SE:
http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphi...0_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/prod..._code=50178328

Here's a CompUSA link to the PNY Ti4200 64MB one I bought:
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...93567&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...

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Old 07-10-2002, 10:14 PM   #6
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Quote:
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...



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...
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Old 07-11-2002, 06:21 AM   #7
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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. But it was cheap...
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Old 07-11-2002, 03:30 PM   #8
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Quote:
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/produc...e%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....

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Warez is bad. It is a bad bad thing. Do not do warez, and the world will be a better place. Little children will once more be able to play on the streets, and old folks can sit in their armchairs without fear of being mugged or burgled, etc. Over 90% of the crimes comitted in the world are linked to Warez, and if you do it, you are contributing to that 90% of crime. How would you like it if the Warez scene's next victim was someone you loved. So do the right thing, and don't do warez; because it's wrong. Morally, and ethically wrong.

Last edited by Blade Runner : 07-11-2002 at 07:20 PM.
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