Conclusion
With the GeForce4 Ti4200, NVIDIA has thrown the gauntlet at the feet of the competition. For $199, consumers will get a card that is second only to the other members of the GeForce4 Ti line. It leaves both, the more expensive GeForce3 Ti500 and the ATi 8500, in the dust. When using FSAA, the card can even extend this lead. Finally, the card seems to offer great overclocking capabilities - at least our review sample did.
Competition, as they say, is good for the consumer. We are eagerly awaiting ATi's answer to this challenge. The downside to the wealth of cards that is currently available is that it's hard for the interested buyer to keep all of the cards and product lines straight. The best example is the GeForce4 MX 460, whose right to exist is basically called into question by the Ti4200. Even if prices for GeForce4 MX based cards were to drop even further, a consumer buying an MX 460 is making a poor choice - for the same price you could get the Ti4200, a card that is often twice as fast. (Recommended sales prices according to NVIDIA: GeForce4 MX 460: $179; Ti4200 64 MB: $179; Ti4200 128 MB: $199.)
Obviously, a good hard look at benchmark tables and price lists should be well worth your time! Otherwise, how would one make an informed and intelligent buying decision? What about ATi, you ask? The Radeon 8500 is selling for as low as $150 in the US - please note, these are street prices, not recommended sales prices. (Quick reminder: at its introduction in November, ATi still recommended a retail price of $299 for the Radeon 8500!!!)
ATi is not just sitting on their collective thumbs, though. The next generation of cards is already being prepared for launch. As always, the video card arena remains an exciting arena. With its GeForce4 Ti4200, NVIDIA currently has the most attractive offer on the shelves, by far.
