MSI's
updated G4Ti4600-VT2D8X
videocard performs on par with their older G4Ti4600-TD which is what we
expected. As you can clearly see the implementation of 8x AGP into the GeForce4
core was purely done for the marketing battle as it has not boosted performance
figures yet. With a retail price of $440 CDN ($285 US), the MSI G4Ti4600-VT2D8X is a bit expensive as
are all 8x AGP based GeForce4's, but then again it's "improved" right? =)
The saving grace for MSI's G4Ti4600-VT2D8X is that it does
come bundled with a ton of goodies. In terms of software packages, the card
comes with Morrowind, Duke Nukem Manhattan Project and Ghost Recon, a seven game
demo CD, WinProducer & WinCoder, MSIDVD and MSI's 3D!Turbo!
The hardware extra's are a complete VIVO module, S-Video
to S-Video cable, S-Video to Composite and a DVI to analog converter. MSI should
consider including a second DVI to analog converter so the end user can
attach a second analog/CRT monitor to their computer.
MSI's "TOP Tech Cooling" system was the quietest GeForce4
Ti cooler we have tested thus far. There are a number of copper fins which are
soldered to an aluminum heat plate which helps increase surface area, and
we like how there's a heat spreader on the back of the card as well. During
testing the back plate got very hot and our only recommendation to MSI is to
increase the surface area on the back heat spreader so it can cool better.
In terms of performance, as you can see by the benchmarks
the G4Ti4600-VT2D8X was second only to the Radeon 9700 Pro. Unfortunately the test
sample was not the greatest overclocker, but then again overclocking is luck of
the draw. In the end the MSI G4Ti4600-VT2D8X videocard proves itself as a good
performer, and is a solid product. However, with no real performance gains
over its older G4Ti4600-TD it's difficult to justify the $75 CDN price
difference between the cards.
Related
Articles:
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well...
1. Albatron GeForce4 Ti4800SE Videocard
Review
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