Author Topic: Gforce 2 Cards 64mb or... (Read 922 times)

Wilbus · « **on:** October 15, 2001, 10:14:00 AM »

Hey all, some nice people recomeneded that I axchanged my TNT2 for a Gforce 2 card, I am running a 450 Mhz P3 and can't afford to get new MB and CPU + RAM untill a few months after X-mas.

I read about a few Gforce 2 cards at Tomshardware.com and just need to ask of some advice. I read about the Asus V7700 PRO Gforce 2, it's got a 400Mhz CPU wich is, if I am not misstaking twice the speed of most other Gforce 2 cards. It's got 64MB SDRAM/DDR RAM, TV-out and very high res. I checked with a local dealer and I can get the card for $200. I know there are quite many other Gforce 2 cards out there, many of those don't cost more then around $100 but all I've seen have got 200Mhz CPU and around 32Mb RAM.

Any sugestions? Is the extra speed and performance worth the extra 100 dollars? I will upgrade to a better computer later and of course the new Graphic card will go with it, IMO, the Asus V7700 seems mighty good and for a good price, but don't know if it's worth it.

All advice and help welcome

Vermillion · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2001, 10:26:00 AM »

If you already have a GeForce2 card, don't do it. Your bottleneck is the CPU.

You can get a new Athlon Tbird 1.4Ghz/266 motherboard and processor for around $200 if you look at pricewatch.com

Just make sure you get one of the motherboards where you can use your SDRAM or DDR, so you don't need new memory. Then in a couple of months upgrade to DDR.

You will definitely get much more BANG for your buck this way.

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: Vermillion ]

Kratzer · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2001, 10:58:00 AM »

Go to pricewatch.com and search for GeForce 2 GTS or Pro, and see what you find - you can probably get one for under $150. It'll increase your performance a lot with your current CPU, and won't hamper a new CPU when you upgrade later on.

Kratzer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2001, 10:59:00 AM »

...of course, with that said, CPUs and motherboards/RAM are so cheap right now, you might better spend the money on a CPU/MB, and get a video card later on.

You can get a 1.4Ghz AMD for ~$110 at newegg.com

Wilbus · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2001, 12:54:00 PM »

Problem is I live in Sweden, not sure I can order stuff from price watch and such. When I buy a new MB, it'll be a good one, wich supports DDR RAM AND The new, to come, AMD CPU. Got one MB in sight but in Sweden that MB allone will cost me $230.

I have a TNT2 Viper V770 32mb right now, would it be best to get the Asus V7700 with 64Mb DDR RAM and 400Mhz for 200 dollars or one for 100 dollars but 32mb SDRAM and 200Mhz CPU?

SKurj · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2001, 01:39:00 PM »

Chances are Wilbus, that you won't see a framerate increase by buying a Geforce2 no matter which configuration you buy. The 450mhz cpu can't push the Video card sufficiently.
Put that $200 into the new Mobo and CPU "jar"

SKurj

bloom25 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2001, 03:12:00 PM »

There must be a typo somewhere. No current video card processor has a clock speed of over 300 Mhz. Going purely from memory the GF2 GTS is around 200-225 Mhz and the ram would be running at a DDR speed equivilant of around 333 - 350 Mhz.

With a 450 P3 you will not see any major performance boost by upgrading your video card.

Wilbus · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2001, 03:19:00 PM »

Thanks, made me check again. The specs are 400Mhz, however, I just read in a review about the card that it says 400Mhz but since it is DDR RAM it actually works at 200Mhz, so this helps me alot, will probarly go with a Cheaper 100 dollar GF2 card, will be alot better then the TNT2 I have now. Will check and see if I can afford MB and CPU, thanks all

Camel · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2001, 05:27:00 PM »

Hi wilbus,
For what its worth, I gave Blueice my old Geforce2 MX (32meg) to replace his v770 on his p2 400. Hes says it has nearly doubled his frame rate. So I would think the v7700 would also help you out for now, till you decide to get a new board and CPU. As for which Geforce GTS to get, I love this Asus. You might want to consider Geforce2 Ti 200, rather than the GTS.

[ 10-15-2001: Message edited by: Camel ]

Wilbus · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2001, 05:54:00 PM »

Thanks alot Camel, I'll go and pick up a GF2, not sure wether it'll be the Asus V7700 or one wich is half the price, not sure if the extra performance is worth twice the price.

Ready to do anything to get above 10-15fps in fights with more then 4 people in it

Camel · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2001, 06:33:00 PM »

Im not so sure you can pick up a 64meg Gf2 GTS for half the price of the Asus. May not be a GTS your looking at, or could be 32meg.
If you are planning an upgrade in a CPU soon, I would recommend a 64meg card now, and probably your best bet for the money your looking at, is the Geforce2 Ti 200.

bloom25 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2001, 09:57:00 PM »

Something to consider is that going to a 64 Mb card instead of 32 Mb is really a minor speed increase UNLESS you are running at REALLY HIGH resolutions. If it doesn't cost a whole lot more to get a 64 MB card than do so, but if your choices are a 32 MB GF 2 Ultra or 64 MB GF 2 GTS (or PRO) the Ultra is by far the better choice.

I'd also look at the prices for the GF3 Titanium 200, it's supposed to be under $200.

Wilbus · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2001, 04:32:00 AM »

Thanks again, I can find quite many 32Mb GF2's for 100-150 dollars, the GF2 PRO (64Mb) will cost me 200 and no, won't be running in high res, at least not now.

Will probarly go for a cheaper