Upgrade from GF2 MX to Kyro 2

[Warthog]

Would it be worth upgrading from a GF2 MX 32MB to a 64MB Kyro 2 as an interim upgrade. I hear all the rumors of new VCs coming out and don't want to shell out allot of cash. My main game I am looking at is UT2003. Although I must consider the impact of all the other games as well.

I must admit I have not kept up with the changing technologies. That?s why it has been so long since I have posted here. I check in for news, but until now have not felt the need to upgrade. My system is a P3 @866 with 256MB. I really don?t care about resolution above 1024x768 due to my 17" monitor. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[spanky]

rather then the kyro2... how about the gts or gts pro? the gts and kyro2 appear to be in the same price range on FS/FT ($40)

 

[Idoxash]

hey dude just wait 2-3 weeks and the kyro 2 SE will be out... around 25% faster then the kyro 2.... and from dealling with kyro 2s my self i know it will be way faster / or better then that darn gts <---- what trying to take names of cars now lmao!!!!

 

[spanky]

link

in what instances is the kyro faster then the gts?

 

[holdencommodore]

The KyroII would like a faster CPU than a 866 I think. The Kyro scales very well, but you need a fast CPU to bring out the best in it.

Cheers

 

[Actaeon]

Well, I would suggest a GF2GTS, or a GF2Ti.

You already run an MX, you can use the same drivers. Just swap em and out. No need for a reformat. In my opinion, worth the hassle.

 

[rogue1979]

The Geforce2 Ti is under $60 shipped on pricewatch. Overclock it and it will put a Kyro2, the Kyro2 SE or anything in that price range to shame. For $42 shipped you can get the original Radeon 32MB DDR and it will give you roughly the same performance as the Kyro2 but is cheaper.

 

[Mingon]

Definately not an upgrade more a sidegrade You would be better off selling the gef2mx and going for a radeon le

 

[Warthog]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. An even bump for a different audience.

Thanks Again.

EDIT:

By the way, what's the deal with the GF4 MX's? I can't figure out where they really fit into the Nvidia line-up.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Warthogg
By the way, what's the deal with the GF4 MX's? I can't figure out where they really fit into the Nvidia line-up.

click here

 

[Warthog]

I saw the GF4 MXs in Anands shootout. Why wouldn't all people choose a GF4 MX 440 over an GF2 Ultra? Pricewatch has the MX much cheaper. Also from what I have read the only difference between the 420 and 440 is SDR vs DDR RAM. I guess my real question would be what features in real world games would the GF4 MX not support? From looking at the UT2003 specs, it seems like a good buy.

 

[joe678]

go with the gts or pro...or just shell out the $ for the spanking new one...

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Warthogg
I saw the GF4 MXs in Anands shootout. Why wouldn't all people choose a GF4 MX 440 over an GF2 Ultra? Pricewatch has the MX much cheaper. Also from what I have read the only difference between the 420 and 440 is SDR vs DDR RAM. I guess my real question would be what features in real world games would the GF4 MX not support? From looking at the UT2003 specs, it seems like a good buy.

DirectX 8 "real world games" would not utitlize the features that a GF3/GF4Ti or any DirectX would not be used in GF4MX or a Geforce 2 Ultra, and the reason why they are priced so high, is because they aren't produced anymore.

I would though perfer the GF2Ti over the GF4MX due the higher cost of the GF4MX, and little performance gains over the GF2Ti. Even if you wanted that "extra performance", GF3 Ti200 is only 9 or so bucks more. In my opinion, that rules out the GF4 MX 440 to be a "good buy".

My 2 cents.
Actaeon

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: joe678
go with the gts or pro...or just shell out the $ for the spanking new one...

As seen on price watch....

64MB GTS- $55 Shipped
64MB Pro - $89 Shipped
64MB Ti - $58 Shipped

Ti outperforms them all. Go with the Ti.

 

[MithShrike]

I'd go with the ATi Radeon 7500. It performs as well as a GeForce 2 Ultra. The Kyro II would be a bad decision because it lacks any T&L engine. So, there's my two cents.

 

[Deeko]

I'd say spend a little bit more and get a Radeon 8500LE. Not too much more, and much much better. But if you don't want to...then I agree with the others, stick with a GF2 Ti.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Holdencommodore pretty much covered the KyroII. It has perf near that of a GF2TI, but is much heavier on the CPU to perform what the GF2 cards do in hw. Since your CPU is under 1ghz you really wouldn't get the best from the very aged KyroII, definitely a side grade rather than upgrade as Mingon said.

GF2TI is the best GF2 card in terms of price/perf and is even in perf with the GF4MX440 which only sports the GF4 tag, better AA, VOut, DVD playback and image quality. Not worth payingmuch extra for! GF4MX are simply slightly suped up GF2 cards, GF4MX420=GF2MX, GF4MX440=GF2TI, GF4MX460=pointless (the GF4TI4200 is incredibly better and like $20 more).

In the US & Canada the Radeons are very good alternatives. Perf-wise Rad7500=GF2TI, Rad8500LE=GF3TI200. However the Radeon cards sport better VO, DVD playback and image quality.

In terms of perf and features you really should only consider DX8 enhanced cards which are the SiS Xabre 400, Rad8500LE, Rad8500, GF3, GF4TI and Matrox Parhelia512. The SiS Xabre is faster than a GF4MX440 and also sports DX8 enhancements, on a tight budget it's a much better choice, although it is new and has immature drivers. Rad8500LE and GF3TI200 are great for the price ($100) and a much better long term buy. Since your CPU is a little underpowered you will want to enable AA & Aniso in order to use up as much of the gfx card potential as possible.

 

[nemesismk2]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Warthogg
I saw the GF4 MXs in Anands shootout. Why wouldn't all people choose a GF4 MX 440 over an GF2 Ultra? Pricewatch has the MX much cheaper. Also from what I have read the only difference between the 420 and 440 is SDR vs DDR RAM. I guess my real question would be what features in real world games would the GF4 MX not support? From looking at the UT2003 specs, it seems like a good buy.

DirectX 8 "real world games" would not utitlize the features that a GF3/GF4Ti or any DirectX would not be used in GF4MX or a Geforce 2 Ultra, and the reason why they are priced so high, is because they aren't produced anymore.

I would though perfer the GF2Ti over the GF4MX due the higher cost of the GF4MX, and little performance gains over the GF2Ti. Even if you wanted that "extra performance", GF3 Ti200 is only 9 or so bucks more. In my opinion, that rules out the GF4 MX 440 to be a "good buy".

My 2 cents.
Actaeon

I think the GF4 MX440 would be a better purchase than the GF2 Ti for these reasons:-

1.Better image quality than a GF2 Ti or GF3 for that matter!

2.Lightspeed Memory Architecture (LMA II) gives a nice boost.

3.It runs cooler and uses less power which makes it alot more overclocking friendly, without extra cooling you can expect to get an extra 40mhz (core) and 50mhz (memory) without any problems (depending on make ofcourse).

However if your money can stretch to it then get a GF4 Ti4200 or a Radeon 8500LE, avoid the GF3 Ti200 though because it's too slow.

 

[AnAndAustin]

The GF3TI200 is very nearly as fast as the Rad8500LE, probably faster than non-ATI builds. I would side with the Rad8500LE as the better buy myself but if anyone lives outside the US & Canada they should find the GF4TI4200 is actually cheaper and superior in every way to the Rad8500 cards.

For the guy in question the GF2 cards don't even enter in to it, as we've already established the GF4MX440 is in every way superior to the GF2TI, plus it's cheaper where he lives too. It really comes down to GF4MX440 or Rad7500 which is a close call. The Rad8500 is certainly worth the extra cash, but it depends upon his budget and expected usage as to whether it's worth it for him or not. The MX440 will definitely o/c well, but ensure it has active cooling, ie a fan rather than just HS, HS is fine and quiet but you won't o/c. The MX440's greatest strength is in its AA ability (and pretty GF4 tag).

 

[AnAndAustin]

You could look out for the SiS Xabre 400 cards, they do DX8 and also beat the GF4MX440 nearly all the time. They are new and drivers will need to mature but they seem to be a much better buy than either the GF4MX440 or Rad7500. Regarding the Xabre, bear in mind that the following links are usually based upon high-end XP or P4 CPUs and as such the exact diff in CPU will vary, but it is still a good idea of what to expect.

AnAndTech showing how CPU speed effects many gfx cards (EXCELLENT)

TomsHW almost all gfx cards compared (AthlonXP2000+)

X-bit Labs GF4MX vs the rest (Axp1900+)

RivaStation GF2 & GF3 roundup (R7500=GF2GTS/TI, R8500=GF3 (diff CPUs))

DansData Xabre

Hexus Xabre

Firing Squad Xabre

 

[AnAndAustin]

PIII 800 in all cases, quoting 3Dmark2001 (total marks, game1 high detail FPS, game2 high detail FPS, game3 high detail FPS, nature DX8 FPS):

1024x768x32:
KyroII: . . . . 1200, 6, 8, 11, n/a
GF2MX200: 1200, 12, 8, 12, n/a
GF4MX440: 3500, 19, 31, 28, n/a
Rad 7500: 3000, 17, 22, 25, n/a
Rad 8500: 5800, 22, 59, 33, 42

1024x768x32xAA:
KyroII: . . . . (couldn't find even an approx match for this, but expect close perf to a GF2MX200)
GF2MX200: 530, 3, 4, 6, n/a
GF4MX440: 2500, 18, 23, 23, n/a
Rad 7500: 2200, 14, 20, 20, n/a
Rad 8500: 3800, 16, 39, 25, 24

JFYI, if you upgrade your mobo and CPU (AthlonXP1800+) you would expect the following with the same cards:

1024x768x32:
KyroII: . . . . 3200, 20, 22, 26, n/a
GF2MX200: 1600, 16, 13, 14, n/a
GF4MX440: 6200, 47, 51, 56, n/a
Rad 7500: 6000, 43, 54, 47, n/a
Rad 8500: 9500, 51, 89, 61, 57

1024x768x32xAA:
KyroII: . . . . (couldn't find even an approx match for this, but expect close perf to a GF2MX400)
GF2MX200: 570, 6, 5, 6, n/a
GF4MX440: 3400, 31, 32, 30, n/a
Rad 7500: 2600, 25, 22, 22, n/a
Rad 8500: 5700, 45, 50, 45, 26

As an upgrade a SktA KT266 mobo is $24 (and some KT266 can reuse your existing PC133 RAM whilst still allowing future addition of DDR) and AthlonXP1800+ with Volcano7 (excellent cooler) is $100. So that is the increase you could expect by spending $124. Ideally you would want 256MB DDR266 ($40) and possibly a new 350W+ PSU if not new case as well ($50ish). You could have it all for $220.