CL Partially Redeems Itself
Written: Dec 14 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fast, Fast, Fast, Fast, relatively inexpensive, backed by Creative
Cons: backed by Creative, not the fastest card out there anymore
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| samhorowitz's Full Review: Creative Labs 3D Blaster Annihilator |
Little note: I'm using the Annihilator PRO, which is based on the GeForce 256 w/ DDR Memory. A little bit different but this is as close as Epinions gets, so here goes...
The story...
I have been thoroughly unimpressed, no make that utterly disappointed, with Creative Labs in the past. I purchased a DVD-ROM drive from them which promptly died when it reached the ripe old age of 13 months. 1 month of warranty. There tech support told me that the model number I gave to them didn't exist. I had just as much fun with a CT7160 -series DVD Decoder. Drivers didn't exist for Win2K, eight months after the release of the DVD-Supporting OS. The SB PCI 128 drivers made my system completely unstable under Windows 2000.
I solved the problems by selling the Decoder to a Windows 98 user, ditching the drive for a regular (gasp!) CD-ROM drive, and upgrading to a SB Live! Value sound card.
Why give Creative Labs a fourth chance?
Three things conspired to get this video card into my system. First, I was looking for a GeForce DDR Card. Second, I have friends who have used this card with good results. Third, the card was priced at $63.
What I think of the Card
Stunning. I was upgrading from a Riva TNT-based graphics card and I have been amazed. I never realized that a new graphics card could increase video quality in 3d-games this much. This is all in addition to pure, raw speed that the card provides. My FPS have doubled in some games. My 3dMark2000 score more than doubled (rose nearly 3000 3dMarks). I have not personally used a better video card. Creative Labs has a good name for quality, but I have not had good luck with their products. My last 2 CL products, however, have been on par with what I've expected.
I wasn't surprised, but definitely pleased with the results. The truth: I probably wouldn't have paid more than $125 for this card new, $75 for this card used (my $63 card was used). However, if opportunity presents itself, seize it. This card benchmarks close to a GeForce GTS 32 MB card, because of the DDR memory.
There is no comparison to an original Geforce Single Data Rate card. Yes, there are better, faster cards out there now. Creative Labs still fully supports this card, though. Results are not disappointing, and if the price is right, there is no reason *not* to go with this card.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 63
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Epinions.com ID:
samhorowitz
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Member: Sam Horowitz
Location: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 0 members
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