Could someone tell me the difference between these two similar video cards?

[Intelman07]

GAINWARD/CARDEXPERT GeForce 4, 8X AGP. Ti 4200, 3.6ns, 128MB DDR.
DVD player and video editing software with game.
Specifications:
GPU: Geforce4 Ti-4200 8X AGP
MEM:128MB DDR (3.6ns)
Bus: AGP 8x
Ports: 1 DVI + 1 CRT + TV-Out + 1 adapter for DVI to CRT. nVIEW (two CRT display).
OS SUPPORT Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT Retail. . P/N: VG4TI420-8X



GAINWARD/CARDEXPERT GeForce 4, 8X AGP. Ti 4200, 3.6ns, 128MB DDR, Power Pack Golden Sample,
Overclocking enhanced mode,DVD player and video editing software with game.
Specifications:
GPU: Geforce4 Ti-4200 8X AGP
MEM:128MB DDR (3.6ns)
Bus: AGP 8x
Ports: 1 DVI + 1 CRT + VIVO + nVIEW (two CRT display).
OS SUPPORT Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT Retail. . P/N: VG4TI4208XG Model#: GF4PUltra\650-8X XP



One is golden sample I know. It seem they both have the 3.6ns ram though. (don't flame me on this about how I should get another video card because this is a RMA replacement) Turns out they are replaceing my old Geforce 4 ti 4200 Goldensample 4x model with this newer 8x non golden sample. If they have the same speed of ram won't they run at the same speed?

 

[mechBgon]

Well, they could clock the core/memory differently despite using the same RAM chips. But one of the differences appears to be the TV-out versus VIVO, does that sound plausible?

 

[Intelman07]

Well the golden sample allows video in functions I know that. I just thought it was a bit odd that they have the same speed ram (the goldem sample is suppose to be hand picked though). Just wondered if they dubed the golden sample golden slapped the sticker on and put the video in functions and sold it. I don't really care about the component in and out stuff just the performance of the card itself.

 

[Intelman07]

Bump

 

[cockeyed]

I have a Golden Sample Ti4200 128mb-4ns 4x; works perfect so far. I believe that the only difference in the two cards, performance wise, is that the Golden Sample is "guaranteed by Gainward" to OC right out of the box in what they refer to as "enhanced mode." The Expert Tool utility that comes with the Golden Sample, has an OC utility built-in. In Safe mode, mine is 250/444 standard for Ti4200; in enhanced mode, mine is 260/500. I think the "guaranteed OC" is the only difference. Personally, I would get the Golden Sample.

 

[Intelman07]

Not to sound like a smarta** but I know how it works. Now I am just puzzled by them having very similar specs.

 

[Intelman07]

So the question still remains......... Will the non golden sample perform the same?

 

[Spicedaddy]

If they have the same speed of ram won't they run at the same speed?

Being rated at the same speed doesn't mean they'll all overclock the same. What's the price difference anyways? If it's only a few bucks I'd get the GS...

 

[Batman5177]

i think their "Golden Sample" lines are tested to run at higher clock speeds.

Their software somes with a tool to overclock your video card, so it will not void your warranty!

 

[Insidious]

Golden Sample boards have been guaranteed to run at the higher clock speed (enhanced performance mode) and the other is only guaranteed to run at the stock speed. This is done by (so Gainward says, anyway) sampling the boards and the best overclockers get the GS sticker.

IMHO, it is mostly just a marketing gimic because the "enhanced performance mode" is a VERY minor overclock.

Not to sound like a smarta** but I know how it works. Now I am just puzzled by them having very similar specs

Well of course they have similar specs.... they are the exact same hardware within production tolerances (and VIVO, of course)
GS is the same, just (supposedly) hand picked for better OC ability (part-to-part tolerances came out good on that one..... it's a GS!)

As the two boards you are comparing, one can take IN video signals and the other can not. (VIVO vs. non-VIVO)

-Sid

 

[Intelman07]

Well it turns out I have no choice. This is an RMA replacement of my 4x ti 4200 Golden Sample going bad. Newegg is replaceing it with a non Golden Sample 8x because my old card was worth 145 dollars and the new gs is 160. Oh well I think this new card is fast enough anyways 3.6ns ram compared to 4ns......sounds good to me.