MX , DDR or GTS

[simtis]

I have read the reviews of the cards compared the numbers and fancy graphs but i still have to ask. Has anyone personally used all or at least 2 of these cards and if so, all benchmarking aside, is there a noticable difference in gameplay in say Quake or UT? I need to move up from my ATI Expert 128 16MB and i'm having a hard time parting with $180.

 

[Guest]

I own a GTS and an MX (in my two machines). At 800x600x16, I notice no difference at all (although Quake reports higher frame rates for the GTS). However, going up to 1024x768x32, or even 1280x960x32, the difference becomes much more noticable. I think this is because the MX has a lower memory bandwidth, and fewer pipelines in the GPU (it can do less things at once). My understanding is the peformance stats go like this:

1. GeForce 2 Ultra
2. GeForce 2 GTS Pro
3. GeForce 2 GTS
4. GeForce 2 MX DDR
= GeForce 256 (the 256 is faster in older games, the MX in newer games)
6. GeForce 2 MX SDR
7. GeForce DDR
8. GeForce SDR

Many people don't realise the MX comes in several variants - there are versions (mostly from OEMs) with SDR memory, and others have DDR. Some have 64-bit memory bus and others have 128-bit. This explains the differences in price.

I'm quite new to this game so if anyone wants to dispute my ranking plz go ahead.

 

[Take_Out]

Just a note, the GeForce DDR original is usually ranked above the GeForce MX in all applications that I have seen due to the much faster memory interface, even the MX DDR has only a slower interface than the GeForce DDR.
Apparently, Nvidia crippled the MX so as not to compete with the fps performance of the higher priced GeForces. Take-Out

 

[alv]

just a note about the GeForece MX with DDR memory. not a good idea from the reviews i read. it is slower than the SDRAM MX. So far i only know of one GeForce MX DDR from creative labs and that is also not a good card.

 

[Guest]

Did you try to test the Creative Mx DDR ? why does it slower that the other Mx ? I m going to by a new card, pls give me advice which one i should buy !

 

[Arrow]

GTS is definitely the way to go.

Rob
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[Guest]

at buy.com you can get a GTS (elsa gladiac) for $128 (free shipping and after the $30 rebate that everyone can get during xmas... just do a search for buy.com coupons)

good luck!

 

[Guest]

If you want the best price/performance card GeForce II MX all the way. I got one for Christmas and it's awesome, now I can play Hitman: Code 47 with all details in 32bit. It's great!

 

[simtis]

Thanks all for the input, I have a friend with the winfast leaktech GTS 32m, he is pushing me in that direction, specifically the Winfast Leadtech Version. I think that will be my choice. Plan to match it with the Sony E400 if i can afford it.