Question about video cards [Archive]

Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Question about video cards

The Coder

01-20-2005, 02:26 PM

I am not sure If I am mistaken or what. But a lot of the video cards I am seeing for sale these days don't really say they are made by nVidia anymore. They say that they are made by PNY(for ex) but use a nVidia chipset. Why? Is this a new trend? And if I am specifically looking for an nVidia card should I watch out?

ph34r

01-20-2005, 02:32 PM

No. Nvidia makes the video chipset, PNY, Creative, etc. actually make the board and put the GPU on it.

The Coder

01-20-2005, 02:50 PM

So I don't really need to worry about who made the card, just make sure it has the chipset I want?

ph34r

01-20-2005, 03:04 PM

Pretty much. Of course, I'd buy a PNY over a "Generic Bob's" card...

davisfactor

01-20-2005, 10:07 PM

Some cards, like Gainward, beef up all of the components on the card to make it easily overclockable.

Getting a Gainward NVidia card is like getting a Sapphire ATI card, they're top notch!

Before buying a card, do a google search for the manufacturer to see how well the cards are made.

And if you're getting NVidia, I've heard to stay away from the 5200's, and get a 5700LE or higher instead.

cybertron

01-21-2005, 12:01 AM

Originally posted by davisfactor
And if you're getting NVidia, I've heard to stay away from the 5200's, and get a 5700LE or higher instead.
Seconded. My 5200 sucks. It does what I need it to, but not without a lot of complaining, and then just barely:)

gehidore

01-21-2005, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by davisfactor
And if you're getting NVidia, I've heard to stay away from the 5200's, and get a 5700LE or higher instead.

I was very pleased with my XFX GFX5700LE (sold it recently)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-150-058&depa=1

Although when I run the card in a agp 4x it only shows up as 128MB, go figure.

XiaoKJ

01-21-2005, 07:17 AM

I think it depends on your needs. I've been happy with my geforce2 mx 400 card which functioned fine. and I'm now using 5200 with no prob.

not surprisingly, I almost don't use 3d effects. so I don't care. but ati/vesa would be not ok. nvidia drivers are too much better as I need them for the optional usage of opengl.