VisionTek Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 Review
By Vince Freeman :
April 19, 2002
Value
The Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 can be found online in the $120-$125 price range, which places it near the top end of GeForce4 MX 440 product list. The vast majority of the sub-$100 GeForce4 MX 440 cards utilize basic TV-out, so if you need dual monitor functionality expect to pay a bit more. In fact, the VisionTek card looks to be among the very few that even offer dual-VGA support, possibly giving them an advantage with business and SOHO user groups.
The $120 price also brings the Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 into competition with some of the base model GeForce3 Ti 200 boards. When comparing against name brand products, the Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 still holds an edge, as the Leadtek, Gainward and MSI GF3 Ti 200 retail boards are usually in the $130-$150 range. The same goes for the Radeon 8500LE 64-MB, which hits the $130-$135 range for a 3rd-party ATI board. The GeForce2 Ti is significantly lower priced, checking in at around $80-$85 for a quality card.
At current prices, the Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 finds itself with a lot of company from both from NVIDIA and ATI. With so many lower-priced GeForce4 MX 440 boards out there, and GeForce3 Ti 200 prices declining steadily, we feel that VisionTek prices may need some tweaking to really highlight this excellent entry-level product. Like all their NVIDIA cards, VisionTek offers a lifetime warranty on the Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440.
* Please note that online prices are taken at the time of review and are not intended to reflect long-term trends.
Conclusion
When NVIDIA first announced the GeForce4 MX line, we admit to being a bit skeptical. But after giving the VisionTek Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 a full run-through, we have a decidedly positive view of the technology. The beauty of the GeForce4 MX 440 does not exist solely in its gaming performance or features, but as an all-around video card that can switch between multimedia, business, multi-monitor, and gaming uses without batting an eyelash. NVIDIA has a goal of providing flexible and powerful solutions at a variety of price points, and the Xtasy GeForce4 MX 440 is an excellent example of this strategy.
