GF4 4200: Gainward or EVGA? Edit: Or Chaintech???

[Akira13]

I'm looking to reward myself for getting through finals this Quarter. I've decided to get a GF4 Ti4200 (the 128mb version). The problem here is that I'm torn between EVGA and Gainward. They both have VIVO (which is a definite plus for me), and both seem to support dual CRT (which is not necessary, but nice just in case). The only big difference (besides the $20 price difference) seems to be the cooling fans. There are probably other differences I don't see, but I don't have either card. Can anyone help me out? Which is better? Does the EVGA cooling solution preform as poorly as people say? Is there a preformance gap? Oh, I'm upgrading from a GF2 GTS, so this is gonna be a big jump for me. Thanks.

 

[Rankor]

From what I saw of the cooling fan on eVGA's card, it's the same as the reference fan that Nvidia uses on its 4400 and 4600.

The cooling fan from Gainward looks like a blue-orb-like design. I'd probably grab the one from Gainward considering what's included. You'd might want to check if either one includes a DVI->DB15 adapter for the secondary CRT monitor. I don't think either one has it included.

 

[MithShrike]

If you plan on overclocking I'd go with the Gainward for the cooling... eVGA has had some cooling issues.

 

[Furor]

Try reading here for a little Abit / PNY action.

 

[Akira13]

I was just looking at Newegg, and I happened to see that Chaintech has an offering in the Ti4200 128mb category. It's $1 cheaper than the Evga (and $22 cheaper than the Gainward). I didn't think much of it because of that, but when I looked at the pictures, I noticed that it has heatsinks on the RAM. Not only that, but the entire heatsink fan setup is gold. Now the shiny gold color scheme impresses me, but also scares me. The simple fact that this thing has RAM sinks covered with gold paint seems to be screaming "overheat!" Any opinions? Oh, this one also has VIVO, and comes with a DVI-VGA adaptor (the Gainward includes one too, but the EVGA doesn't).

 

[Celstar]

I also noticed the chaintech card. Can anyone comment on them?

 

[AirbornJesus]

the chaintech looks pretty good, especially the price. about 50 cheaper than the xtasy and 30 cheaper than the gainward. the fan looks a little odd, but seems a decent size. i cant seem to find any reviews tho. as soon as some1 gets it tell us how it went.

 

[Tom]

Anyone know if the Chaintech comes with any software for the VIVO function ?

I know the EVGA does.

 

[og3rz2]

I don't think what you are seeing is gold paint. Rather the heat sinks are aluminum and have gold anodizing. Anodizing is a method in which the surface of the aluminum is oxidized or "rusted." This can be often colored. Its main purpose is for a protective layer. It does not have any effect on the performance of the heatsink as many aluminum heatsinks are anodized (ie motherboard heatsinks). Heatsink design depends on surface area to dissapate heat as well as other factors (passive vs. forced convection). Hopefully the gold "paint" does not deter you from the purchase of a very good card.

 

[Akira13]

For the price, I didn't expect the heatsinks to be anodized. Usually those things are a bit more expensive, and this is one of the cheaper cards (and one of the only 128mb versions with Ramsinks). I would know by now, but Fedex decided to pass me by this afternoon (they didn't even bother trying to leave it with the apartment manager...). Since it's Friday, I won't know until Monday, and that's only if Fedex finds their way to my door.

 

[AirbornJesus]

good luck dude. we're waitin for your report.