Mainstream Runners: 5 Allround Graphic Cards with nVIDIA's GeForce2 MX

GeForce2 MX: The Chip

Back in June 2000 we reviewed the first graphics card with nVIDIA's GeForce2 MX chip . We took a close look at its technical features and the performance. NVIDIA characterizes this GPU as a mainstream model, which we can certainly confirm.

Cards with the GeForce2 MX chip are technically pretty similar. There is only little space for special tweaks even in case of NVIDIA's high-end models based on the GeForce2 GTS, Pro or Ultra. Differences between MX models can be found at the slot panel, since there are models with only a D-SUB output, additional TV-out, two D-SUBs and other variations with two D-SUBs and a TV out. There are also some cards available that already come with one or two DVI ports for digital flat panels. NVIDIA enabled the MX to work with DDR memory as well. Unfortunately, I have not come across any card with the faster memory so far.

Performance amongst GeForce2 MX cards is also very even. If you keep using the same driver version, you will hardly spot any difference between the different MX cards.

Most manufacturers simply use the NVIDIA reference software with or without a few modifications. So far we did not encounter any model that would have a better value due to useful software enhancements. However, if you are not interested in software add-ons and plan to use the NVIDIA's drivers anyway, keep looking for the cheapest model you can get. Just don't forget to balance the cards' prices in dependency of the memory speed: Quicker cycle times (6 ns is maximum according to nVIDIA) will not necessarily enable better performance, but they will make memory overclocking possible.