PNY GF4 ti4200 or Gainward Golden Sample ti4200?

[tomstevens26]

Hey everyone!

OK, I have a slight dilemma...I got a late xmas present today...a PNY GF4 ti4200 64MB that was purchased from a local Best Buy. I've been toying with the idea of upgrading my GF3 ti200 to a card from this line, however, my choice was going to be the Gainward GF4 ti4200 64MB Golden Sample w/ 3.3ns RAM from Newegg.

Here's my question: Is there that big of a difference between these cards? I have the option of just taking this one back to Best Buy and ordering the Gainward from Newegg. But would it really matter? Should I just stick the PNY card in and use it? If there is a noticeable (i.e. not talking about a benchmark difference of 1 or 2% ) performance/reliability issue between these cards?

The GF3 ti200 I've been using for the past year is made by Gainward and I've been really pleased with it, however, I must say I'm a little concerned about the checkerboard problem I've been reading about concerning the Gainward ti4200s. Any advice would really be appreciated!! It's real hard to see that 4200 sitting there and not put it in my machine....but I would rather wait a few more days and make the better choice.

Tom

 

[gizbug]

If I were you I would take it back to Best Buy, wait 30-45 days and get the new Geforce FX

 

[ScrewFace]

I prefer MSI myself. My MSI GeForce4-Ti4400 overclocks to 330/630 without a sweat and has given me no problems except for Shrak for Quake. Go with MSI!

 

[sanchny]

Originally posted by: tomstevens26
however, I must say I'm a little concerned about the checkerboard problem I've been reading about concerning the Gainward ti4200s.

You said it yourself. Check out this thread at a different forum, and count your blessings that you didn't get a Gainward. In case you don't want to read all 588 posts on that thread, I'll give you a quick summary of the problem:
Due to bad capacitors, quite a few Gainward 4200s have checkerboard problems and P(ink)SODs. It'd be all fine and dandy if Gainward did something about it, but the bad cards are still being sold. To make matters worse, people that are getting RMAs on these bad cards are being sent bad cards back. Some people have done 3 RMAs and have yet to get a working card.

Keep your PNY.

 

[tomstevens26]

Originally posted by: gizbug
If I were you I would take it back to Best Buy, wait 30-45 days and get the new Geforce FX

What is that card going to run? I really don't want to spend more than $150...I'm sure the FX is going to be what, $200+?

 

[sanchny]

Originally posted by: tomstevens26

Originally posted by: gizbug
If I were you I would take it back to Best Buy, wait 30-45 days and get the new Geforce FX

What is that card going to run? I really don't want to spend more than $150...I'm sure the FX is going to be what, $200+?

it's probably going to be $300+, but if you wait until it comes out, all other cards (9700s, 4600s) are going to drop.

 

[tomstevens26]

Sanchny: That's actually what I've been thinking...I think I probably will just take this 4200 back and take a raincheck on the present Hopefully the prices on the 4200's will have a pretty good price drop.