Been out of the loop- info on current cards?

[Deleted member 4644]

Hi all

Ever since starting college ive been very out of the loop on comp hardware. The last video card review I read was Geforce 3 regular.

Could anyone give me a run down of the current GeForce lineup, and if you are feeling bored, maybe how it compares to the current Radeon cards too.

Thanks

Specifically, I would like to know how the Ti line compares to the regular one in speed and/or features? Also, how much difference will I really notice with a new top of the line card compared to my GF2 Ultra

 

[Menacer]

Three nVidia cards have been released since you "left the loop" The GeForce2 Ti, the GeForce3 Ti200 and the GeForce3 Ti500. The 2Ti, if I remember correctly, performs between the Pro and Ultra (either that or GTS and Pro...) which puts it as one of nVidia's new budget offerings. (Well, the GTS-V has also hit the market. It's the Radeon LE of the GeForce line)

The GeForce3 Ti200 is the underclocked version of the basic GF3. It's cheaper and clocked lower, but I've heard it's relatively easy to get a lot of extra power out of it. Especially the ones that come well cooled.

The GF3Ti500 is the current "top of the line" video card on the market today. Overclocked GF3.. like a GF3 Ultra. Fast, strong, good driver support, but very expensive.

In the Radeon line, we've basically had a whole shaking-up. Everything has been renamed, some cards have been dropped from the lineup, and we've got a GF3 contender.

The Radeon 7000 is the Radeon VE without dual-head support. It's a total crap card that shouldn't even be on the market except to fool dumb people into blowing money on a "cool" card.

The Radeon 7200 is the Radeon 64VIVO but with SDR RAM. It sits somewhere in between the 32SDR and the 32DDR in performance. Probably leaning towards the 32SDR.

The Radeon 7500 comes with dual-monitor support and is the big brother of the Radeon 64VIVO. (the 7500 has no VIVO) It's higher clocked.. basically a GF2Ultra type of card.

The Radeon 8500 is ATi's flagship product with dual monitor support, DX8.1 capabilities (much like the GF3 line) and performance that lands somewhere between the GF3Ti200 and GF3Ti500 depending on what driver version you're using and what game you're playing.

If you're going to get a GF3, GF3Ti500, or Radeon 8500, I think you'll notice a good bit of speed gain from your GF2 Ultra.. primarly because of the full DX8 (or 8.1) compatability. HOWEVER, if I were you, I'd wait until the next full generation (not nVidia's 6-month-overclock) before getting a new card. Your Ultra is still a VERY respectable card in this market of MX's and Radeon VE's. You'll notice performance gain now, but we're a scant few months away from when the next cycle should come around and not only drive down prices on the current cards but bring out new performers that will make your GF2Ultra blush.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Excellent post Thanks for the info. I wasnt sure if the Ti 200 was so much better than my GF2 that I should run out and get it, or if my good ole GF2 was still decent. Sounds like I have more than enough firepower for now. Heh, I hardly have time to play games lately anyways.

Its too bad ATI *still* doesnt seem to have a contender. As nice as the new radeons sound, they just dont have enough compelling features (is driver support still horrible?).

 

[Menacer]

Well, the compelling features is all in the eye of the beholder I love my Radeon 8500, especially since it's rather cheap compared to the Ti500, plus I use the dual monitor support. But, one has to prioritise what features one wants to buy. The driver support isn't as bad as it used to be, but ask the question again if/when ATi gets their newest drivers out the door. We've been waiting coming on 2 months pretty soon...