what is the best geforce2 pro ?

[estesflyer]

I'm buying a new video card in a week or two, and I've been looking around, and have decided to buy a geforce 2 pro, or something cheaper/better. geforce 2 ultra's and above are just too darn expensive..

Right now, I have my eyes on the gainward/cardexpert geforce 2 pro/450 64 DDR w/ tv out.

the memory is 4.5 ns, which is supposedly very good, although I've seen a geforce 2 mx400 with 3.5 ns SDRAM!!!!!!!!!

it was made by the same company, but I still want a nice card for around 130-150 bucks max.

If anyone knows the best card I could possibly buy, and has evidence to back it up (3dmark 2001 tests, reviews etc..)
I would HIGHLY appreciate it.

TIA

- Rusty

 

[ErikZ]

If you've been looking around, then you should know there's a HUGE difference between the Pro and the MX, no matter how fast the memory is.

The problem with Nvidia cards is that they're pretty much all the same (Within the same type). All the card manufacturers get the reference card, and rush to production. That's about it. Besides color, heat sinks, and what components they remove, they're almost all identical.

Gainward like to put the fastest memory they can on theirs though.

 

[paparazi]

Yes! Dito! Practically all the same as ErikZ has said!
You spotted the only differance! the ram speed!
I know Golden samples have slightly faster ram.
But this realy makes very small differance between cards, more important probably is software, backup and of course, PRICE! Martin.

 

[Enigma666]

If you're looking for value and functionality, I would suggest Gainward (primarily), Leadtek, or Visiontek. If you want the best perofrmance, and don't mind spending a little extra, go with an Elsa, they were rated within the top 3 last year. Whatever you do, remember that as fast as Hercules cards may be, their architecture has not handled heat very well in the past.
And I don't want to be a jerk, but 3.5/ns SDRAM (did you see DDR SDRAM, or something? Not the same thing)? I don't think so. The fastest SDRAM on the market is 7/ns. Hope this helps. By the way, I have a Gainward Geforce 2 Pro Golden Sample.

 

[ErikZ]

Eh? 5ns is old tech, most new cards carry 4.5. The ONLY difference between the geforce Ultra and the other geforces was supposed to be the speed of the RAM. Ram prices have fallen so much though, that even the MX cards have high speed RAM in it.

The fastest I've heard of is 4.5ns. Go check pricewatch.

Geforce Ultra for 180$!?

Sheesh, these prices are INSANE. I can't believe you can get 128 meg of RAM for 5$!