MSI vs. Gainward

[northernstar]

I am buying a GF4 Ti4200 64MB card. Which brand is better. The MSI or Gainward? I would consider Visiontek, but the company is going under soon. I was thinking leadtek, but not sure.The software bundle and cables with the msi kind of throw me off.I might overclock a little. I heard the msi has a noisy hsf. Any info on this would be great.

Thanks

 

[ltj311]

Both MSI and Gainward are good cards for OC'ing. If you get the retail MSI, I've heard also that the fan is too loud.

You can't go wrong: Asus(too expensive IMO), MSI, Gainward, Chaintech, and Leadtek(when I get the money, this is the one I'm getting).

Steer away: Visiontek, PNY

Pricewise: Chaintech and Gainward will be your cheapest($127.00), Newegg.com has the Retail Leadtek for $139.00, and the MSI Retail w/Clear HSF will be at least $135-150.

Good luck.

 

[northernstar]

Thanks for the reply. What do you think of these choices.

MSI Ti4200 64MB Retail

Leadtek Winfast Ti4200 OEM

Abit Ti 4200 64MB Retail

 

[ltj311]

I would not get the Leadtek OEM. It has a generic heat sink fan and is probably not as stable of an OC'er.

The MSI Retail is a good choice.

I don't know much about the Abit although I'm pretty sure it's a safe card.

Check <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_new">http://www.pricewatch.com</A> for the best prices.

Try to steer from OEM cards as their HSF's are usually generic and not as high quality as Retail fans.

Good luck.

 

[NurseMSIC]

I now have a Leadtek, a GF4 Ti4200, one with a HUGE heatsink, and it works really well.
I used to have a Gainward that was really, really good - it was a GeF 2 MX 400 that could overclock to 250 Mhz core 250 Mhz memory. It could basically get the same 3d mark scores as a pro or Ti (well, nearly), so i wouldn't hesitate in getting a Golden Sample version Gainward again (only got a Leadtek this time because i got a really good deal).

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19557" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19557</A>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Buy the MSI card. Fast, inexpensive and very good overclockablility.

MSI GF4 Ti4200 64 MB costs $135 at newegg and MSI GF4 Ti4200 128 MB costs $159 at Newegg

<b><font color=red> Long live piracy! </font color=red></b>

 

[ltj311]

Keep in mind though that he is talking about the Retail MSI w/ generic HSF. If you want the best overclockability from MSI you should go with the Retail w/Clear Brand HSF.(at least this is the one where I've seen all the high OC's(320/610 or so)) Although it will probably be noisier than the generic.

Retail MSI Ti4200 64mb w/Generic HSF : $135.00(@newegg.com)
Retail MSI Ti4200 64mb w/Brand HSF : $156.00(@newegg.com)

Question Spitfire_x86...Do you know how well the MSI w/Generic HSF performs?

 

[buddry]

I have had good luck with gainward cards. I own a couple of them.

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[dhlucke]

My gainward overclocks nicely. I'm going with them for my next card as well.

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