Power is addictive and expensive
Written: Aug 31 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Way, way fast!
Cons: Way, way expensive!
The Bottom Line: Power baby! Lots of delicious speed to make your gaming experience unforgettable. Big $ though.
|
|
|
| Bradman's Full Review: VisionTek GeForce3, (64 MB) AGP Video Card |
I recently upgraded my system to a 1.1GHz Thunderbird processor and a GeForce3 card. The upgrade cost about the same as an entry level system (around $650) but boy is is FAST! I was playing around with 3DMark2001 on my older system and I could barely get above 2500 with a lot of tweaks. My new system with no tweaks was running over 5000! I am able to play MaxPayne at 1024x768x32 with anti-aliasing enabled with NO noticeable frame stuttering.
If the previous two sentences didn't make sense to you then you probable don't want/need/appreciate the GeForce3 power. This is the Ferrari of video cards. Expensive, but fast.
If you are not a die-hard gamer then I don't think I could justify even thinking about a GeForce3. Even the casual gamer would do fine with a GeForce2 MX for 1/4 the cost. But if you are heavily into games then this is the best way to fly right now. I believe this setup will keep me happy for at least 6 months, maybe even a year. The Nvidia Demos will amaze you, the detail that this card can generate is mind boggling. This card has more transistors than most CPUs. I could continue to write but I think I have gushed enough about this technology.
Apparently the different flavors of the GeForce3 cards are not very different. Buy one based on availability, included games, output features (s-video) and company support. This was the only GeForce3 card available when I was looking.
I would also suggest you get the Nvidia "detonator" reference drivers. They tend to be the most stable and get good updates. Most of the card vendor drivers are just the Nvidia drives with slightly different interface screens.
Bradman
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 350
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID: Bradman
|
- Top 1000 |
|
Member: Brad W
Location: OH
Reviews written: 124
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me: Cars, computers, digital photography and video.
|
|
|