could someone break down the performance among the Geforces?

[dpk777]

are there actually significant performance differences between the GF and GF2, GF2 and GF3, etc...?

 

[nRollo]

No way. It is all just marketing hype, tricks to get you to upgrade.

Sheesh. Hello? We're on Anandtech? All you have to do is go to the video card reviews to see all of the performance differences.

 

[tenoc]

Yes.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Yes & no.

There are many different model variations (GF# means the generation of card and the MX GTS TI etc refers to the equiv speed of the card).

Pre GF4 it was a matter of the MX versions being about the same as the standard (GTS type) next gen card. Hence the GF2mx was about the perf of mid range GF1 (I know little about the GF1 variants but they're no longer produced), only with the GF3 & GF4TI was there a real advantage with DX8 functions (as well as great general perf).

It's a little more complex now with the GF4MX chips which are really suped up GF2s, hence the GF3 is in every way superior to the GF4MX (the slight image quality and standard dual outputs advantage aside).

It's all relative to price in my opinion, the GF3TI200 is great value for money (as is the Radeon8500LE) and is readily available.

The GF4MXs aren't really much better than the GF2TI cards (but there is little price difference).

The GF4TI4200 (just released) should be the best value for money in terms of price/perf.

If your pockets are deep enough don't settle for less than the GF4TI4400 & 4600 cards.

Slowest to fastest it roughly breaks down like this:

GF2mx200 (half perf of the GF2mx400)
GF2mx (no longer available)
GF2mx400 (slightly faster than GF2mx)
GF4mx420 (near GF2TI perf)
GF2GTS (first GF2 released no longer produced)
GF2PRO (slightly faster than orig GTS no longer produced)
GF2TI (good value for money but doen't have the GF4 badge)
GF2Ultra (Fastest badged GF2 but no longer produced as was not cost effective)
GF4mx440 (good value for money)
GF4mx460 (same price as the GF4TI4200 but worse perf and no DX8 funcs)
GF3TI200 (great value for money and o/c to GF3 speeds)
GF3 (first GF3 near GF3TI500 speeds)
GF3TI500 (previously top of the range and £300 2 months ago)
GF4TI4200 (best value for money if you've got a decent CPU and can dish out £150)
GF4TI4400 (fully blown full size GF4TI with fast mem, great o/c)
GF4TI4600 (simply the best but £350)

Really I think the GF2TI or the GF4TI4200 offer the best price/perf (The GF3TI200 & Radeon8500LE are also good value too).

Don't forget the CPU (to a certain degree) is less important for gaming than the GFX card (ie. Athlon1.4 & GF4TI easily faster than AthlonXP2000+ & GF2TI/GF4MX) but there's no point sticking a GF4TI4600 with a Celeron 500!

Sorry it's so long, hope that helps.