[Pc_Support] video card question

[Bryan J. Smith]

On Sat, 2005-11-05 at 02:01 -0500, Phil Barnett wrote:
> How does the nvidia FX-5600 compare to the GF3 TI-500?

All depends on the clock and the RAM timing/sync.  Most newer 5600/5700
models are heavily underclocked from their original versions to get
better yields, as they are more commodity.

For the most part, the NV3x (FX) series stinks compared to the NV2x
(3/4Ti) in raw frames.  The FX offers newer capabilities, especially
when it comes to anti-aliasing and other performance.  Unfortunately,
unless you get a FX 5800+, the performance has been severely lackluster
to sustain frame-rates with those features turned on -- with the
5200/5500 absolutely horrendous, the 5600/5700 not much better
(especially not the newer, "commodity" versions that are underclocked as
much as 40+% from the originals), and only the 5800+ being of any worth.
And even then, a $50 GeForce 6200 might be better.

You can assume a GeForce3 Ti500 will perform about 20-25% slower than a
GeForce4 Ti4200, a GeForce3 Ti200 about 30-40% slower.

A good comparison of lower-end cards is here with Unreal Tournament 2004
at 1024x768.  If you have high-quality, but AA off, the NV25/28
(GeForce4 Ti) is a good 50-100% faster than a NV30/31/34 (GeForce
5200-5600):  
  http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-05.html

Once you turn on anti-aliasing, then the 5600 starts doing much better,
while the 5200/5500 right down with the GeForce4 Ti.  FYI, those
benchmarks are of the _original_ GeForce 5600/5700, not the "watered
down" LE/SE/whatever versions you often find on the shelf -- which are
40% _slower_.

Now here's the full GeForceFX 5700 (about 60% faster than the "5700LE"
you'll find on the shelf) those same cards against newer cards:  
  http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050705/vga-charts-pcie-03.html  
  
The GeForce 6200, which is $50+, is definitely going to beat the
GeForceFX 5700 regularly, or at least match it (even though it's not on
the chart).  The GeForce 6600 sub-$100 (non-DDR "GT" version), is
definitely right there with the GeForce FX5800.  And the GeForce 6600GT
is going to beat _any_ GeForce FX series, even the 5950 Ultra, which
still costs more money.

> Woot's got them for $30. No digital out.

Always remember that AGP is not always compatible, voltage-wise.  So if
you have an older AGP 2.0 or, especially, 1.0 mainboard, don't expect
many AGP x8 cards to work.  Many AGP x8 cards these days only do 0.8V,
which AGP 2.0 (x4) mainboards won't support.

Pretty much all FX and newer are AGP x8 only, and it's hard to guarantee
they will support the older 1.5V.

-- 
Bryan J. Smith     b.j.smith at ieee.org     http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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