Poll: GeForce II MX vs. Radeon 32MB DDR

[ChiefWiggum]

Hi. I need some advice. I got a Hercules 3D Prophet II MX for a gift. It's great. But, I am upgrading to T-Bird (1GHz) and a KT7. Should I keep the GF2MX? Or go to a Radeon 32 DDR?

My questions:

Which do you think will have the longest shelf life?
Will their be any compatibility issues between these cards and my new setup?
Is it even worth it to switch from GF2MX to the Radeon?

I know I am probably a spaz for thinking this, but I am really bored at work. I like some aspects of the GF2MX and other aspect of the Radeon 32 DDR...

Thanks for the help.

 

[SleepyTim]

The RADEON is much faster in 32-bit. Especially at higher resolutions, it's not even close. Plus it has many extra features to make the card last longer, and directX-8 support. RADEON all the way.

Sharky just did a budget card round-up with 4 or 5 different MX's, 32MB DDR RADEON, and Voodoo5 4500. Go have a look. The RADEON wins hands down. Budget Card Round-Up

The MX's are good cards, but the 32MB DDR RADEON is really supposed to cost $200, and it's much more powerful in 32-bit, and a much more advanced card. And you can get it for $150 with a rebate right now. For that price, nothing can touch it in performance, features, or image quality.

Plus you get the best DVD playback as a bonus.

I just got a GeForce2 for my birthday, but I was hoping for the RADEON 64MB VIVO. However, you can't go wrong either way with those two.

But the choice between MX and 32MB DDR RADEON is a no brainer. (If you can make the switch I mean).

 

[RobsTV]

What size monitor will you be using, and at what resolution.
Since you already have a GF2 MX, I would keep it and wait, especially
if you can use 1024x768. It will probably be 6 months before the GF2
MX shows "any" age in gaming, and at that time you can probably get
a card that is twice as fast and featured as todays cards, for the
same price.

Why compare these 2 cards anyway?
Radeon cost $200+, then 3 months later you get $50 rebate back.
GeForce2 MX costs $100 +/-
GeForce2 GTS cost $150 +/-

Never buy a video card because it might have features that you might
be able to use in a few months. In a few months, when stuff does use
those features, newer cards and technology will have advanced, and
the features in the old card, will most likely not be able to run at
the standard that is finally released. This has repeated itself over
and over with video cards. Look at the nVidia NV1. Look at the first
cards that supported 32bit color. Look at the first D3D cards, that
were supposed to be able to handle the future (Riva 128). If the future
features don't cost any more, or hurt current performance, then it won't
hurt to have them. Just don't expect much from them in the future.

 

[SleepyTim]

HyperZ will keep the RADEON from suffering near as large of a performance hit as the MX will suffer, as polygon counts rise, etc., and this has been proven in countless tests. The RADEON will stay way ahead. Plus, remember the RADEON is much more powerful in 32-bit to begin with, and then will suffer much less of a performance hit .... so, just do the math.

Also, DirectX-8 comes out in 1-2 weeks, and many games coming soon WILL be using the RADEON'S special features. This is confirmed.
So the (future features don't matter) argument is simply not true.

And if you plan on playing at above 1024 x 768 (which I do, 1280 x 1024 x 32-bit), the MX simply can't keep up. Really, the 32MB DDR RADEON is a significant step up from the MX in every way. (32-bit performance, features, Directx-8 support, better image quality, DVD playback, etc.) Like I said, it's a no brainer if you compare the two.

But, if you have a smaller monitor, and only play at 1024 x 768 and 16-bit color, then the MX will definately keep you happy for a while, so you can just stick with it untill the next generation cards out, but plan on spending more money too.

Seriously though, if you can get the 32MB DDR RADEON for $150, you are looking at one of the best values EVER in video cards.

 

[DaGoose]

Just got the 32 DDR Radeon from buy.com for 154 shipped.

 

[oldfart]

The Radeon costs a little more than the MX, but is definitely worth it.

 

[bozack]

I agree, you can get the radeon ddr now from buy.com for 150 shipped, least I did and it is an excellent buy.

The card also has support for dx8 which is great, and if your like me and watch dvd's on your pc then you will love the radeon.

For me I found out after the fact that I had no choice, I was in the same boat as you were trying to decide between the radeon and the gf2 mx, but after I bought the radeon I found out (in fact today) that the gf2mx or any gf2 needs an agp rev 2 slot to function properly, whereas I only have an agp 1.0 slot, which the radeon will work in.

you are not in this same situation however since your board will have agp rev 2 slot. Still though the radeon is great.

 

[ChiefWiggum]

Thanks for all the feedback!

My concern is that my system will be bottlenecked by the video card, not the CPU. It does not matter so much now with a K6-2 500 and a GF2MX. But it will, when I swap it for a Gig T-Bird.

It just bothers me, that I will surpassed my GF2MX in it's ability to spit out data. If I go with a 32 or even 64 DDR Radeon, or for that matter a GeForce 2 GTS; I won't have this issue. For a while, at least.


Any other suggestions?

 

[StickHead]

RobsTV:

Where can you get a GTS for $150???? I want one!

 

[StickHead]

So in 3 months when DX8 games come out I can't play them because I don't have a Radeon? Give me a break. If you have to use DX8 in the game, nVidia will come out with a patch or something.

 

[hans007]

the radeon is better, but its not worth switching, unless the gf2mx has horrible 2d or something. They are basically from the same "time frame" and generallly they will be obsolete around the same time, i mean if you get an athlon 800 or 1000 now, both will probably suck around the same time even though the 1000 is a little faster

 

[SleepyTim]

<< Posted by StickHead:

&quot;Give me a break. If you have to use DX8 in the game, nVidia will come out with a patch or something.&quot; >>



LOL !!!!

I'm sorry, I am not trying to be mean but that's a funny statement. There is no such thing as a patch to support DX8.
The hardware/graphics engine can either support the features &amp; rendering, or not. And in this case, not.

Hey, maybe Nvidia will also release a patch to cure Cancer.

 

[StickHead]

Why can't nVidia chips be supported?

 

[SleepyTim]

Posted by Stickhead:


<< &quot;So in 3 months when DX8 games come out I can't play them because I don't have a Radeon? Why can't nVidia chips be supported?&quot; >>



Hello Stickhead.

The DX8 special features/rendering we are talking about are part of the design of the Radeon card itself. It has to be designed into the graphics engine/hardware to begin with. They can't be added.

But it does not mean that the GeForce2 cards won't be able to play the games with those DX8 features, so don't worry. It just means they won't have some of the features, that's all.

You will still be able to play those games bro.

 

[SleepyTim]

GRRRRRRRR. Double post accident.

 

[StickHead]

Ok, so what are these DX8 features, some un-noticable detail that no one will care about? Or is it actually something that is worth the price of the hipe?

 

[SleepyTim]

Damn man, you post fast. hehe

Well, several of the features are very significant. Here is a link to a good description of them. You will have to flip thru a few pages (button at bottom right), but they describe it much better than I could. It's a pretty good read. Some are DX8 features, and some are just special features the Radeon has to begin with. They don't cover them all, but they cover some of them.

EDIT- OOPS, that link is not working, give me a minute.

EDIT #2- OK, here you go. Just flip through a few pages. They describe some of them, and even give some picture examples.

Features Information

 

[ChiefWiggum]

Again.. Thanks all.

So I geuss the majority of posters on this topic recommend selling the MX and getting a Radeon.

'Nuff said. I think?

 

[Varborta]

Wait! Not yet enough said for me. My Gf2MX is on hold thanx to the back order so gives me some cushion to rethink about radeon vs gf2mx the only difference I have between you guys is that I need a TV-out I must have that and another requirement gotta be around $160 I want a radeon but the tv-out option are at the premium price is there a work around to it?

 

[StickHead]

Thanks SleepyTim. Sorry if I came off as a jackass

 

[SleepyTim]

<< &quot;Thanks SleepyTim. Sorry if I came off as a jackass.&quot; >>



Hey man, same here.

I guess I seemed kinda like a smart-ass myself about the driver thing, but I really didn't mean anything by it. I was just playing.

Thanks bro.

BTW, I really like the GeForce2 cards too. I am actually stuggling with my own decision right now. I recieved a GeForce2 for my birthday, but am really tempted to trade for a 64MB RADEON VIVO. It's driving me crazy really. But I was just talking about the MX vs 32MB Radeon in this thread. My situation is different, and one that's driving me nuts, believe me. Of course, either way, I get a great card so I guess I can't lose.

 

[kmmatney]

I know I'll get hammered for this statement, but the Voodoo3 3500 looks like a better deal. It can be had for $130, is fast enough for any current game, and has full video in/video out, plus a TV tuner. That's a lot of useful features for the money. Its pretty cool to be able to record movies and out them on a CD-ROM (in MPEG 4 format). The Radeon VIVO model costs much more money.

 

[SleepyTim]

<< Posted by kmmatney: &quot;I know I'll get hammered for this statement&quot;. >>



That's it. Where's my hammer? hehe

You are right about the V3 3500 being a good card too. My uncle has one, and it's a very cool card. It does many things well.

 

[CresenS]

i hate ati with a passion since the day i switched from a ati rage pro card to an asus agp v3000 (nvidia riva128) but hey , gotta tell things like they are SO gotta say that radeon is really a no brainer on this one .

 

[RobsTV]

Stickhead. It takes a little work to get a Geforce2 GTS, name branded, for $150, but &quot;OF COURSE&quot; it can be done. How do you think so many people are selling the GF2 GTS for $170 shipped? Because they found it new for $150 or less. I bought a Visiontek GF2 GTS for $144, and then 2 days later another one for $159. Sold one of them on e8ay for $182.50, which means the one I kept only cost $120.50..

To get the card cheap, you need to visit the on-line auction sites where retailers and dealers sell, (not the sites where the general public sells at). They put up different quantities many times a day. Wait until a large quantity goes up (10 or more) , and snag one. You don't need to bid on the whole batch. Longest I've seen the wait is 2 days. If the quantity is 2 or 3, then they seem to go for around $170 each (current example: quantity available 2, at $159 each with less than 2 hours left).

EDIT:
Looks like more and more companies are starting to break into the $150 range.
Nvidia geforce 2 gts 32 MB DDR ram for $150