Video Card: MSI Ti4200 VTD8X (MS-8894) Review :: Features

Hardware Features	8894-080	8894-060
Brand	MSI	MSI
Model	Ti4200-TD8X64	Ti4200-VTD8X
Graphics Chip	GF4 Ti4200-8X	GF4 Ti4200-8X
Graphics Memory Type	DDR	DDR
Memory (MB)	64	128
Graphics Core Clock (MHz)	250	250
Memory Clock (MHz)	500	444
Memory Speed (ns)	3.6	4
RAMDAC Frequency	350	350
Active cooling on Graphics Chip	Yes	Yes
Heatsink on Memory	Yes	Yes
Video Capture	N/A	Yes
System Health Monitoring	Yes	Yes
Ports
Dual Monitor Support	Yes	Yes
VGA Out Ports	DVI+VGA	DVI+VGA
Video In and Out Ports	S Video OutComposite Out	S Video In/OutComposite In/Out
Package and Support
Printed Manual	Yes	Yes
Driver CD	Yes	Yes
Performance Tool Software	Yes	Yes
Major Games	3-full 7-trial	3-full 7-trial
Major Software	Yes	Yes
VR Glasses	Optional	Optional
DVD Player Software	MSI DVD	MSI DVD
Video Recording Software	Optional	Optional

Using a red PCB has sort of become the trademark of the MSI VGA solution as of late and that trend continues here with the VTD8X. The card is almost completely covered with a heat-sink and fan combination that includes cooling for the memory as well as the GPU allowing better abilities for overclocking before burn-out occurs.

They call this new cooling apparatus the TOP-TECH solution and it adds a new element of quieter cooling into the equation while at the same time providing superior cooling properties. Many enthusiasts and gamers alike will find satisfaction with the cards stock cooling system. This system cools both the GPU and the memory and could only be improved by major modifications to the card itself or by using a liquid or Peltier based cooling solution.

The Ti4200 8X comes in two varieties the 64 or 128MB version with the only difference being the memory speed and video capture capabilities that are only on the 128MB version. The 64MB version or the gamer's version as one MSI employee put it has faster memory to enhance game performance at the 1024X768 resolution which is the one used most commonly by gamers. The 64MB has a memory timing of 3.5 nanoseconds.

The 128MB version has slightly slower memory and is geared more at the CAD or graphic artists market where resolutions are known to be higher and require more memory for better processing performance and rendering abilities. The 128MB solution offers memory timed at 4.0 nanoseconds. Performance wise the cards scored almost identical at 1024X768 in the gaming and graphics rendering tests in both Direct- 3D and Open-GL.

There are dual VGA connectors one being your standard variety analog connector the other the more recent digital or DVI connector for hooking up true digital flat panel monitors. The card comes with an adapter to make the DVI connector into a standard analog connector for using NVIDIAS Twin-View dual monitor feature; this allows users the ability to use two monitors from a single VGA solution which can come in very handy for the graphic artist or extreme gamer.

NVIDIA offers a complete software package for custom controlling your VGA and 3D gaming environments and the cards both come with a very excellent software package that includes some top name games, MSI DVD player and handy video editing software for the home user. The software package alone is worth the $195.00 price tag making the card an almost bonus item itself. I really can find nothing to complain about with the MSI Ti-4200 8X cards as they both offer the end user a performance and price worthy product that should do well in the retail and OEM market. Let us now move forward to the setup and testing sections of this review and see how well they do in our lab tests.