To upgrade from GF1 DDR or Not?

brianblair

Member
Jul 23, 2001
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I have been thinking about getting a new video card, but I can't afford a GF3 right now (which is what I would want if money were no object.) I currently have a Hercules 3D Prophet DDR/DVI card that is a year and a half old. Will I see much of a performance increase if I were to get a GF2 card? If so, what kind-F2 Ultra, Pro, GTS? Thanks
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I have the exact same board as you:)

Patience, the market is going to be heating up soon and you will be able to get a lot more bang for your buck. Your board is fine to run anything out right now(don't tell me it isn't d@mnit cuz that's my board too;)). Moving to a GF2Pro or Ultra gains you nothing for features, only speed. Soon you will be able to get a lot of both for not too much money(at least, not as much as a GF3 is going for nowL:))
 

brianblair

Member
Jul 23, 2001
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Yeah, I think I will wait. I was reading in the newest Maximum PC (Dream Machines 2001), about a new nVidia TV-Tuner add-on for nVidia based cards. It is called the Personal Cinema and looks like it has some awesome features like a sepataye breakout box, a remote control, and the ability to record TV directly from the tuner.

My computer is right next to the TV in my Den, so it doubles as a DVD player. With this add-on (when it becomes available commercially) would turn the computer into a DVD player / VCR. Now all I need is a DVD-RW and I could record all my favorite TV shows and write them onto a DVD:D

By the way, just so I know, what is the order from slowest to fastest of the different types of GF2 boards out there (Ulta, Pro, GTS, MX, etc.) Thanks.
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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GeForce3
GeForce2 Ultra
GeForce2 Pro
GeForce2 GTS
GeForce DDR
GeForce2 MX
GeForceSDR

Fastest at top:)

 

sash1

Diamond Member
Jul 20, 2001
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<< GeForce DDR
GeForce2 MX
>>



The GeForce 1 DDR is better than the MX???
 

pcmodem

Golden Member
Feb 6, 2001
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Yo,
Had a GeForce DDR and made the switch two months ago to a LeadTek GeForce2 Ultra for $240 and am quite happy. Considering the price of the LeadTek GeForce3 was $370 at the time, it was more than enough for me and a LARGE increase in performance.

At present, prices are:
GeForce3 64 MB = ~$320
GeForce2 Ultra 64 MB = ~ $230
GeForce2 Pro 64 MB = ~ $160

I'd not recommend upgrading to less than the GeForce2 Pro for you, it wouldn't yield much of a performance gain. You may wish to wait until Septemberish to upgrade, as that's the supposed date for the GeForce3 Ultra release, which will bring the rest of the product line down in price.

Good luck.
-PCM
 

DFranch

Member
Aug 14, 2001
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Don't bother! My brother has a GF1 DDR and I have a GF2 DDR and I don't see a bit of difference except on benchmarks. You can't play benchmarks! Wait until there is a game you really want to be able to play but can't because your video cards sucks. That means it is time to upgrade.

 

Rand

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,071
1
81


<<

<< GeForce DDR
GeForce2 MX
>>



The GeForce 1 DDR is better than the MX???
>>



Most definitely.
The GF2 MX is faster at resolutions like 640x480 and sometimes 800x600 but once you start going aboce that memory bandwidth limitation come into play and the GF DDR becomes increasingly faster then the GF2 MX.
 

sash1

Diamond Member
Jul 20, 2001
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Thanks Rand (how many times have I thanked you now? 50.. :))


I didn't know. I was just assuming, ya know, because it's a GeForce 2. Guess I shouldn't assume...
 

Randskey

Golden Member
Feb 17, 2001
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AnitaPetersen's thread spiked at the top of the Video Forum has excellent links to reviews and comparisons - including the answer to the &quot;GeForce DDR is better than the GeForce2 MX?&quot; question. I second BenSkywalker's analysis.

This link she provided was a pretty good read:
http://www.rivastation.com/review/tv-out_dvd/tv-out_dvd_1_e.htm


I, too, have a GeForce DDR (Asus V6800 Pure) and I'm really happy with it. I play games and also have fun with benchmarking. If benchmark scores matters to you, then upgrading will be your path. If not, stick with the 256 and you should still be fine with the current crop of games out there. :)
 

brianblair

Member
Jul 23, 2001
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to wait at least a couple of months. My brother just bought an ASUS 8200. (I think that was the model) I might try to &quot;borrow&quot; it to see what kind of performance increase I would get with a GF3. But right now, I'm still happy with the GF DDR I have. Looking at the different GF chipsets, it seems kinda crazy that in a period of 18 months or so, 7 different chipsets have been released. Ah well, that's technology for ya:)

Thanks again.