New Video card, Which one

[cal]

I want a very good card the best if I can afford it to go with my P11 400 and BX6 V2 board

Where should I start looking or is there a card out there that you just have to have?

Thanks

[Bleeding Edge]

Well...how much can you afford is the question. $150? $1,500? More?

I'm considering the purchase of a TNT2 card for an overclocked PII400 on a BX6-2 board. The TNT Viper in it now is alright. Instead of the V770 Ultra TNT2, I'm leaning to the Hercules Ultra model. They emailed stating that all their retail cards will ship at the 175/200 clock. This includes software to clock the board higher.

Come autumn, depending on the performance of the TNT2, I'll get a board that utilizes nVidia's next generation chip.

I've already resigned to replacing the vid board every 6 or so months.

[This message has been edited by Bleeding Edge (edited 05-31-99).]

[Roy]

That is a question in the front of many of our minds. It breaks down into a few issues.

1. Which Controller - TNT2? VooDoo3? A 3rd contender?

2. Once that's answered, which board manufacturer and which implementation - 16Mb? 32Mb? 300MHz? 350MHz?

The last time around, two or three showdown reviews narrowed the focus and led to the Asus TNT ... I don't recall the exact model.

So here we are, surfing the reviews, looking for a rationale and hoping for objectivity. In my book, no one person can answer the question.

[cal]

Well bleed, I think I'm in the $300 range I'm a little naive about video cards and alot of other things for that matter.
So with that budget in mind where does that leave me?

[socalgal]

Me too. I am looking. So far my chips ($$) are headed to the Nvidia Riva TNT2 32mg.

but.... then here comes Asus. Hercules? hmmm will have to check that out.

I am not a serious gamer tho, so I reckon the 32mg TNT2 should do quite nicely for me. I'm not planning to replace my vid board for awhile http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Bleeding Edge]

If your system is being geared more for business and high-graphic CAD/CAM or photoediting; the SynergyII from Elsa is probably a solid choice. http://www.elsa.com/AMERICA/PRO_INDX.HTM This is the only manufacturer I know that uses the TNT2 that has been geared for these types of applications. They also make the typical TNT2 card, the ErazorIII.

Elsa is famous for their high quality drivers and driver utilities, and their high-end Gloria products.

I really don't think we can make a wrong choice with the TNT2 Ultra cards. It's a matter of which one. Asus, Diamond, Hercules, Elsa or some other?

The other contenders, such as the Voodoo3 based boards, as Roy mentioned; or the upcoming Permedia3 based cards, the third viable contender from 3DLabs, are a matter of preference I think. Well.. the 3DLabs chip may be better for business/graphics or cad/cam. In the past, they sorta have been missing their mark in affordable mass produced cards tho'. Their high-end chip and geometry processor is one of the best around. As a matter of fact, Elsa uses 3DLabs Glint chips.

But the performance level of these TNT/TNT2 Ultra cards (or rather the graphic chips being produced today,) are simply amazing and the prices -fantastique!

Like I say, I don't have any regrets deciding on the TNT2 Ultra (vs. non-ultra TNT2 or V3 or P3)as my next 'disposable' card. I have too many regrets in my past but this will not be one.

I'm tired of dilly-dallying around on this. I think I'll just pre-order the Hercules directly from the manufacturer...or the Elsa with the 3D shutter glass...or check into the Asus again...

[cal]

Thanks for the info on the vid boards I'll look into your suggestions. Sometimes here in Aust we don't get the choice you guys get. I suppose I could order over the net but not sure of the customs and duty problems that may arise.

But on another thing bleed (you don't mind me calling you bleed I hope?) I have a P11400 on a bx6-2 as well, had it one week, I'm not sure I have the setting right to get the best out of them I don't won't to push it to far.
At the moment it's set at P11400/100 the rest left as defult. the cpu temp is running at about 28 what would be a conservative temp and would you run it at that full time? and what is a conservaitve speed for the bus and how is that done?

Any other Bios settings worth changing. Hope you can help me, Thanks heaps

[This message has been edited by cal (edited 06-01-99).]

[Bleeding Edge]

My all purpose PII400 is set as User Defined 4.5/100, SEL100/66# set low, CPU voltage is the default 2.0 and Speed Error is disabled. This gives me a stable 450MHz. I'm using a larger case fan on a oversized heatsink. The temp reading is in the low twenties, I think 21c. I don't bother to look anymore.

On a PII400 business machine, we get 450MHz by setting the external clock at 112MHz. Leaving the multiplier at 4.0. This is with a Tyan board. It's been running long hours everyday for almost a year like this. The clock mutipler is set with jumpers on the board; I don't get the chance to set it to 4.5.

Both of the PII's were bought when they first came out at an exuberant price. But they can over clock to 500 with a voltage boost.

The stablest way to reach 500MHz is to set it up at 4.5/112. The reason I can't on the all purpose machine os because the 128MB module won't function at that speed. Whereas the modules in the business machines are good to 125Mhz.

That's why I'm dilly-dallying around about buying this videocard or getting PC133 memory.