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| iXBT Labs - Computer Hardware in Detail |
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NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440/460 Video Cards Roundup
Part 5. August 2002:
S/U/M/A/ Platinum
GeForce4 MX 460 SE
GeForce4 MX 440 (new PCB)
GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp
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CONTENTS
-
Peculiarities
of video cards
-
Test
conditions and drivers, 2D estimation
-
Data
on performance of such cards from 3Digest
-
Conclusion
I think this is our last review of video cards based on the GeForce4 MX.
The previous reviews on the ATI RADEON 9000 (parts I
and II) and on
the Joytech (SIS
Xabre 400) show that if prices for the GeForce4 MX do not fall down such
cards will die out because they lack for some 3D functions and performance
worse than the RADEON 9000/Pro though the prices are equal (not to mention
the Xabre).
But it's the last time we touch upon these cards not because of their
near death but because there are a lot of such articles available. Well,
if the GeForce4 MX gets cheaper it will live for a long time though in
the low-end sector where it will do away with the old GeForce2 MX and TNT2.
Theoretical materials and reviews of video cards which concern functional
properties of the NVIDIA GeForce4 MX GPU
This review is 90% dealing with peculiarities of S/U/M/A/ video cards (although
we already studied one card on the MX 440). So, what special do such cards
have? As usual, S/U/M/A/ uses a faster memory and nonstandard PCBs.
Cards
All cards have AGP x2/x4 interface, 64 MB DDR SDRAM
located in 4 chips on both PCB sides. |
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
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| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp, S/U/M/A/ Platinum
GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) |
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| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
| This card comes with Hynix memory modules of 3.3ns access time. It
works at 300/275 (550) MHz. The card is developed for overclockers as it
comes with quite efficient memory (it should be 3.6ns). But the frequencies
are left rated. |
|
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp |
| This card comes with Samsung memory modules of 3.6ns access time. The
chips are in the BGA package and the access time is lower than required.
This card is meant not only for overclockers but for average users as well
who want a little higher performance at the same amount of money, because
the card operates at 270/275 (550) MHz (against the rated ones for ÌÕ 440
of 270/200 (400) MHz). |
|
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) |
| Hynix memory, 4ns access time. The frequency the card runs at is rated
- 270/200 (400) MHz. But this model is also for overclockers because the
memory is also packed in BGA (which always has a higher overclocking potential)
and an access time is 4ns which is less than required (5ns). |
|
| Comparison with the reference design, front view |
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
Reference card NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 460 |
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| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp, S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4
MX 440 (BGA memory) |
Reference card NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 |
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| Comparison with the reference design, back view |
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
Reference card NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 460 |
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| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp, S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4
MX 440 (BGA memory) |
Reference card NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 |
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The MX 460 model is based entirely on the reference design. It differs
from an ordinary card only in a more efficient memory and a VIVO support.
Hence the SE suffix.
Both ÌÕ 440 cards are based on the S/U/M/A/'s own design (at least,
not of NVIDIA :-) ). The cards have only memory chips different. Although
the design doesn't provide for a second VGA-out, it's not a problem because
all MX 440 cards come with only one connector although the reference design
provides for two.
Cooling devices are typical of the Korean company, earlier we saw them
a lot.
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
| Turbo-fan with a massive elliptic heatsink. |
|
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp, S/U/M/A/ Platinum
GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) |
| Standard square cooler. |
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The MX 460 based model comes bundled with two VGA and DVI connectors.
It has a standard nView support including a TV-out. The card is also equipped
with a VideoIn (i.e. VIVO) via the Philips 7108 chip:
Unfortunately, S/U/M/A/ supplies nothing for this function, that is why
it looks strange that the card with VIVO and named SE has actually a dead
function.
And both ÌÕ 440 cards have only a TV-out. In the MX 440 it is based
on the GPU's capabilities. Both VIVO and TV-out need all necessary adapters
supplied. By the way, both ÌÕ 440 cards has an ordinary set of accessories:
user guide, CD with drivers, S-Video-to-RCA adapter. As for the ÌX 460...
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
| User Guide, CD with drivers, adapter/splitter for VIVO, DVI-to-d-Sub
adapter, S-Video extender. |
|
All video cards ship in the retail packages.
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
| Traditional semitransparent plastic box. |
|
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp |
| The boxes differ only in stickers and length. |
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| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) |
| The new card on the MX 440 has a box of another color which distinguishes
this particular card. |
|
That's all we had to say about peculiarities of the card.
Overclocking
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE |
300/550 -> 345/710 MHz |
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp |
270/550 -> 330/610 MHz |
| S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) |
270/400 -> 310/540 MHz |
As expected, the faster memory allowed for higher results.
Note:
-
in course of overclocking you must provide additional cooling, in particular,
for the card (first of all, for its memory):
-
overclocking depends on a definite sample, and you shouldn't generalize
the results of one card to all video cards of this mark or series. The
overclocking results are not the obligatory characteristics of a video
card.
Test system and drivers
Taking into account that we have already studied all peculiarities of operation
of the NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 4200/4400/4600, there is no need to repeat them
again. Besides, our 3Digest
widely covers performance of such cards in comparison with many others.
That is why I recommend that you go to the above review, and later I will
give you definite links.
-
Pentium 4 2200 MHz based getup:
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Intel Pentium 4 2200 (L2=512K);
-
ASUS P4T-E (i850) mainboard;
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512 MB RDRAM PC800;
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Quantum FB AS 20GB Hard Drive;
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Windows XP.
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Athlon XP 1666 MHz (2000+) based getup:
-
AMD Athlon XP 2000+
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EPoX 8KHA+ (VIA KT266A) mainboard;
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512 MB DDR SDRAM PC2100;
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Fujutsu 20 GB Hard Drive;
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Windows XP.
The test system was coupled with ViewSonic P810 (21") and
ViewSonic
P817 (21") monitors.
In the tests we used NVIDIA's drivers of v29.80. VSync was off,
S3TC
was off.
Test results
Before we start examining 2D quality I should say that there is no a complete
technique of objective estimation of this parameter because:
-
Almost all modern 3D accelerators can have 2D quality much dependent on
a certain sample, and it's impossible to trace all cards;
-
2D quality depends not only on a video card, but also on a monitor and
a cable;
-
Besides, certain monitors do not get along with certain video cards.
Certainly we do our best to improve the situation, but we are not almighty,
that is why I can't promise anything.
As for the tested samples, together with the ViewSonic P817 monitor
and BNC Bargo cable the cards showed excellent quality at the
following resolutions and frequencies:
-
S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE: 1280x1024x100Hz, 1600x1200x75Hz;
-
S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp: 1280x1024x100Hz, 1600x1200x75Hz;
-
S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory): 1280x1024x100Hz, 1600x1200x75Hz;
For 3D performance estimation we used:
-
Return to Castle Wolfenstein (MultiPlayer) (id Software/Activision) - OpenGL,
multitexturing, Checkpoint-demo,
test settings - maximum, S3TC OFF, the configurations can be downloaded
from here
Test order: enable the console with the '~' button and type:
timedemo 1 (press Enter)
demo checkpoint (press Enter)
-
3DMark2001 SE Pro (MadOnion/Remedy), Game2 "Dragothic" - DirectX
8.0, Hardware TCL, multitexturing, LOW Details, DXTC
OFF, double buffering, 24-bit Z-buffer
Test order:
through the 3DMark2001 menu of settings
using the Batch mode
-
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter v.1.05 (Croteam/GodGames) - OpenGL, multitexturing,
Grand Cathedral demo, test settings: quality, S3TC OFF
Test order: enable the console with the '~' button and type:
dem_bProfile=1 (press Enter)
start up Grand Cathedral demo from the menu
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Quake3 Arena v.1.17 (id Software/Activision) - OpenGL, multitexturing,
Quaver,
test settings are maximum: detail level — High, texture detailing
level — ¹4, S3TC OFF, smoothness of curved surfaces
is greatly increased with variables r_subdivisions "1"
and r_lodCurveError "30000" (at default r_lodCurveError is
250 !), the configurations can be downloaded from here
-
3DMark2001 Pro (MadOnion/Remedy) - DirectX 8.0, Hardware
TCL, Game1, Game2, Game3, Game4, Low, High detail levels
Comanche4 Benchmark Demo (NovaLogic) - Direct3D, Shaders, Hardware T&L,
Dot3, cube texturing, highest quality
Test order: start up the game the following way:
c4demo.exe /advbench fps.txt 1024 32 noaudio nct dx7 (press Enter)
-
Unreal Tournament 2003 Demo v.927 (Digital Extreme/Epic Games) - Direct3D,
Vertex Shaders, Hardware T&L, Dot3, cube texturing, default quality
Test order: run benchmark.bat from folder System of the game changing
only the resolution.
-
RightMark Video Analyzer v.0.4 (Philip
Gerasimov) - DirectX 8.1, Dot3, cube texturing, shadow buffers, vertex
and pixel shaders (1.1, 1.4).
Test settings: pixel shaders 1.1, shadow buffers OFF.
The overclocked cards are marked with red color, the sign o/c (overclocked)
is followed by the frequencies reached.
-
1. Return to Castle Wolfenstein — maximum quality settings
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2. Quake3, QUAVER, — maximum settings
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3. Unreal Tournament 2003 DEMO b.927 — standard settings
-
4. Comanche4
-
5. 3DMark2001, Game2 Low Details (Dragothic)
-
Windows
ME
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1024x768
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1280x1024
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1600x1200
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1024x768
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1280x1024
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1600x1200
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 800x600, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Anti-aliasing
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Windows
XP
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1024x768
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1280x1024
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1600x1200
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz), 800x600, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz), 1024x768, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz), 1280x1024, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1024x768
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1280x1024
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1600x1200
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6. Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
-
Windows
ME
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1024x768
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1280x1024
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1600x1200
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1024x768
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1280x1024
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1600x1200
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 800x600, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Anti-aliasing
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Windows
XP
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1024x768
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1280x1024
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz),1600x1200
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz), 800x600, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz), 1024x768, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+ (1666 MHz), 1280x1024, Anti-aliasing
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1024x768
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1280x1024
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz,1600x1200
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7. 3DMark2001
-
7.1. 3DMark2001 standard test
-
Windows
ME
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, 3D Marks
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game2 Low
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game2 High
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game3 Low
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game3 High
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game4
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, 3D Marks
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game4
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, 3D Marks
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game4
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Windows
XP
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, 3D Marks
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game4
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, 3D Marks
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game4
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, 3D Marks
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game3 Low
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game3 High
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game4
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7.2. Comparison of the test results with the Software T&L and with
the Hardware T&L
-
Windows
ME
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game1 Low
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1024x768, Game4
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1280x1024, Game4
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Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Athlon XP 2000+, 1600x1200, Game4
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Windows
XP
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Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1024x768, Game4
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1280x1024, Game4
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game1 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game1 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game2 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game2 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game3 Low
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game3 High
-
Tests
on Pentium 4 2200 MHz, 1600x1200, Game4
-
8. iXBT RightMark Video Analyzer
Conclusion
-
S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 460 SE is a reference based solution
equipped with the VIVO. Exceptional quality and faster than required memory
can easily win over customers. But we know quite well that the current
prices for the GeForce4 Ti 4200 cards come close to the MX 460, that is
why it's difficult for me to recommend a MX 460 card.
-
S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 PowerUp is a hybrid of the MX
440 and MX 460 as far as performance is concerned (its video capabilities
are close to the MX 440). Besides, its price will likely be very similar
to an ordinary ÌÕ 440.
-
S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) is just a new look
of the old card. Well, it has become more attractive for overclockers,
but that's all.
You can find more comparative characteristics of video cards of this and
other classes in our 3Digest.
Highs:
-
Very good performance in 3D graphics (higher than that of GeForce2 Ti cards)
- though there is something better at the same price (hint at the RADEON
9000);
-
Excellent quality of all tested samples;
-
Nice overclockability of the card with the faster than rated memory;
-
Original design of the ÌÕ 440 based cards;
-
Fast memory of the S/U/M/A/ Platinum GeForce4 MX 440 (BGA memory) replacing
the ordinary MX 440;
-
VIVO on the MX 460 card.
Lows:
-
Lack of software for VIVO for the MX 460 card.
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