GeForce4 MX/9200SE, et al. vs. integrated nforce2 gfx.

[PrinceXizor]

Building a budget box.

It's possible that a mb + vc combo could be cheaper or the same as a motherboard with integrated graphics.

My questions

1. Is a GeForce4 MX faster than its cousin integrated in the NF2 boards? (Especially so proll'y since this will be running single channel in all likelihood).

2. Is a 9200SE faster?

Thanks!

P-X

 

[McArra]

They all are quite week. You should buy at least 9100 128mb if you want decent 3d performance. If you only want 2d then any of them should do ok, buy cheapest.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

You could build a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra and XFX Geforce4 MX440-8X 64MB DDR Model PVT18KQT With TV-out Retail for $111 that'll be significantly faster than the IGP, even in dual channel@400DDR synch mode and the core overclocked. The IGP performance is terrible without dual channel, and I'm not familiar with the specs of the 9200SE so I don't know if it's a better price/performer than the G4MX.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: McArra
They all are quite week. You should buy at least 9100 128mb if you want decent 3d performance. If you only want 2d then any of them should do ok, buy cheapest.

I have run ut2k3, BF1942, CoD demo, XIII and Splinter Cell on my SN45G HTPC with G4MX 8X Personal Cinema just goofing around and they run fine using 800x600 with low detail, ect. Certainly the games aren't pretty on such a card but they will run adequately. However I agree finding another 20-30$ for a used ti4200 64mb or 8500 level card is a excellent investment.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Ok, clarification #1, I'm looking for cheapest...if I can get a combo that is better than integrated and costs less, than great. If the integrated cost less still, I'll probably get that.

I always forget that most people don't actually answer your question, they answer the question they "think" you are asking (not condemning, I'm as guilty of that as the next guy).

This is going in a cheap rig for quickbooks (accounting software), MS Office and some surfing...that's it. 3d peformance need = nil.

P-X

 

[PrinceXizor]

DAPUNISHER...links on where I can get that system? Is that a specific mb only?

TV-Out will not be used, will that make the card cheaper?

Thanks!

P-X

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Given the extremely low performance requirements you should have said ultra-budget Just grab a PC Chips M810DLMUD $42 shipped, Duron 1.4ghz $36 shipped, Crucial 256mb 2100DDR for $38 shipped from newegg and you are on your way And don't let all the elitest ass clowns who bash ECS/PC Chips tell you not to get the board because when using all the on-board stuff they make good low-end systems, I've built quite a few ECS/PC Chips boxen now and all are still running just fine, some for several years now in a work enviroment

 

[DAPUNISHER]

ECS K7SOM+ $69.95+2.99 fedex 3day Already has a 1.2ghz embedded Duron with heatsink/fan, just drop in the ram. Of course this means no upgrade path at all so take that into consideration, but given this machines light duty it should be able to pay for itself long before it can no longer handle the tasks so no big loss

 

[PrinceXizor]

Ok....time of the litmus test of your statment

If a product that has a somewhat bum rap (though I have also heard GOOD things about ECS systems), what are the limitations that are behind the foul-ups. If you can be honest about the negatives, I'll believe you about the positives!

/uncle voice One more thing.../uncle voice

Unless you got a kickin' deal on a microtower, I'd like that in an ATX form factor

P-X