Are there any Nvidia GF4 cards with good 2D image quality?

[Antoneo]

I currently have my 19 inch NEC MultiSync FP955 connected to a Gainward GF4 Ti4200 non golden sample 64 MB and am pretty sure I can get better 2D quality (I read alot of text and plan to do some graphic design ie CAD and photoshop). I run the monitor at 1024x768@100Hz w/32 bits of color. It is capable of running 1600x1200 at 86Hz.

However, at higher resolutions some of the text seem a bit blurred and is the reason why I run it at a relatively low resolution. I know that because it is an aperture grill text is harder to display sharply but I am sure this monitor has unlocked potential 😉. I do some occasional gaming so I feel Matrox's G450 will not cut it and their parhelia is just not economical.

Is the 2D image quality difference between ATI's Radeon 8500 (or 9000/9500/9700 I have no idea about the differences... I've only used Nvidia based video cards so far) and the general Nvidia GF4 cards really that noticeable? I would appreciate it if people who have made the switch from Nvidia to ATI or vice versa to chime in and tell me what they think.

I am planning to spend only about $125 or so and will need to sell the GF4 Ti4200. Also, is the video out on ATI 8500 better than the ones found on Nvidias? I realize that much of it is dependant on the manufacturer of the card but would like to know how ATI fares against the lot of them. On a side note, does ATI now use a unified driver design and are there any problems with their products with Intel's i845 chipset or the santa cruz?

Thanks in advance!

 

[PCMarine]

Ive heard that the GF4 cards' 2d quality falters @ 1280 x 1024

If you want great image quality beyond that resolution, i would look to matrox or possibly a quadro card (?)

 

[Bovinicus]

The 2D quality of the various ATi cards you mentioned is probably very similar. I have never used a GF4, but the change from my GF2 to this Radeon 8500 has yielded a serious improvement in 2D quality. However, I heard the GF4 goes a long way compared to the 2D quality of previous generations. A lot of people say that NVIDIA still isn't up to par with ATi in the 2D department, I just have no personal experience to share with you which includes two same-generations cards. The video out on my 8500 is good, but I can't ocmment on what it's like with an NVIDIA card. I would guess that ATi has the upper hand in this area because it has been their "home-turf" so to speak (The All-In-Wonder line).

 

[Ben88]

I have a Leadtek ti4200 at 1280x1024 and the 2D is great on my Sony G400.

 

[ultimatebob]

I have an ABit Ti4200 (not the OTES) in my gaming computer, and the display looks great on my Mitsubishi DiamondTron.

 

[McCarthy]

I would appreciate it if people who have made the switch from Nvidia to ATI or vice versa to chime in and tell me what they think.

I'm always happy to chime in, but unfortunately neither I, nor many if any others here have enough data to say for sure. Problem is the 2D varies by brand of GF card. And then varies by generation. And might even vary by model.

For example, when I bought my Gainward GF2ti I was told that it was 'one of the best for 2d image quality'. Well, if it is then the others must really SUCK. Now lately I've seen Gainward listed as not very good comparitively speaking with GF4. Leadtek are often cited as good, but I'm not sure if that holds for all models and generations either.

Really we need a consistent test....maybe Anand would be interested? 🙂

--Mc

 

[Antoneo]

Hey guys, thanks for replying 🙂.

Well I am really looking at an ATI Radeon 8500 right now right since that is what I can afford and have read many praises from users on this board and others. Haven't really seen a bad problem with them. I now just wondering if it will output better 2D than my current GF4 Ti4200.

Now lately I've seen Gainward listed as not very good comparitively speaking with GF4

That's funny because I specifically bought this one because in a review done by Anandtech, they listed the Gainward GF4 Ti4200 as having better 2D when compared to the other from competiting companies. 😕

 

[Dug]

I've found that running at higher resolutions is a limit of the monitor and not the graphics card for the most part.

If your running at 1024x768 and your not pleased with it, then I would say that you have a problem with either your card or monitor. It should be crystal clear.

People running 1600x1200 on a 19" monitor shouldn't be. The monitor can't realistically handle it. That's why it becomes fuzzy.

If you read a lot of text, get a flat panel. It won't be fuzzy because the pixels are fixed.

 

[slpaulson]

I have a leadtek ti4400 and it looks nice on my viewsonic pf790 at 1280 x 1024 and 85hz.
But the only other card I've used on this monitor was a creative geforce 2, and I can tell a pretty big difference.

 

[Antoneo]

If your running at 1024x768 and your not pleased with it, then I would say that you have a problem with either your card or monitor. It should be crystal clear.

Nope, absolutely no problem running 1024x768. I would like to believe that the video card's RAMDAC is limiting the performance of the monitor after the price I bought it for.

People running 1600x1200 on a 19" monitor shouldn't be. The monitor can't realistically handle it. That's why it becomes fuzzy.

I agree that 1600x1200 may be a litttle to high but other resolutions (greater than 1024x768) do not seem as sharp as they could be I think.

If you read a lot of text, get a flat panel. It won't be fuzzy because the pixels are fixed.

I thought about that when I bought this monitor but since the chasis wasn't as large I thought it would be and plus the costs of an LCD were still too high (about 5 months ago). Too late now...

 

[Arcanedeath]

I'm using a Hitachi SuperScan Pro 21 (21" monitor) it's pretty old but does up to 1280x1024 at 85hz, currently running 1024x768 @ 85hz but I've upgraded my video cards a lot and noticed the biggest diff from going from a Creative Geforce 2 Ultra to a Vishion teck Geforce 3, which had decent 2d but the Ultra's 2d wasn't very good, I'm currently using a PNY Geforce 4 ti 4400 and it's 2d is the Best of all the cards I've ownd but is nothing to really write home about by today's standerds. Personaly I'd Rec an ATI card for 2d at this point if you also want decent 3d perf. as even w/ Geforce 4's it's hit and miss w/ good 2d. Hope this helps...

 

[cockeyed]

I have almost the same setup as you, and the 2D is excellent. I use a 19" NEC F950 @ 1152x864 - 85hz driven by a Gainward Ti4200 Goldsam (128mb). The various Det drivers will produce different 2D image quality. I use the 3082's, but have also found the new 4109 to have excellent 2D quality. They say the older 2750 has the best image quality. On my setup, I can read small print very easily and fine detail is very sharp. Try different drivers to see if that helps: go HERE to read an article reviewing many Det drivers for speed and quality.

My FP950, has a factory focus adj accessable through a small hole on the left side of the case. Yours might, and you can get the intructions some where on the NEC website for adjustment. Only play with this adj lastly if there in no other choice.

My advice: 1.) adj the monitor as perfect as can be, especially convergence using "Nokia monitor tester" which can be found in a web search. Be sure to read the help files. I try to get white lines as sharp as I can using a magnifying glass when setting convergence and focus. Moire can also affect the 2D quality so be sure to set that. 2.) Try a new driver 3.) Use a BNC cable if possible 4.) Turn on Font smoothing 5.) Adj the monitor gamma to .90-.95 range with others at default.

Before my GW GF4 4200, I had a Visiontech GF3 Ti200 and it also had excellent 2D. I also tried a Radeon LE, and found it to have good 2D, but it had some shadowing that my GF3 & GF4 do not have.
Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[Dug]

From what you have said- I don't think a new video card will make a big difference. If you can, buy from a place that you know has a good return policy. That way if the new card doesn't make a difference you won't be out any money.