The high-end of the 3D video card market is a place that gets a lot of attention from gamers and enthusiasts alike. At the present time, this position is occupied by the GeForce4 Ti 4600 and performance and overclocking results between users continue to fuel online debates. And rightfully so, as with a 300 MHz core speed and memory running at 650 MHz, the GeForce4 Ti 4600 a powerhouse in the true meaning of the word. NVIDIA also hasn't scrimped on the features end, as their flagship GeForce4 Ti line also includes several architectural enhancements like the nfiniteFX II Engine, Lightspeed Memory Architecture II, and Accuview Anti Aliasing.
If the budget is available and outlandish 3D gaming speed is the goal, then the decision is not whether to buy a GeForce4 Ti 4600, but simply which brand. Most cards perform within a certain framerate range, and it becomes a task of identifying required features and options, picking a price level and then determining the individual card selection. These factors are key to any buying decision, as there are many different levels of GeForce4 Ti 4600 card designs, from the Spartan basic gaming format to the DVI-enabled, software-laden retail packs.
MSI presents an interesting case with their line of GeForce4 Ti cards. Not only does the company offer high quality products at a reasonable (comparatively speaking) price, but usually takes the time to pack the retail box full of goodies. Their G4Ti4400-VTD GeForce4 Ti 4400 is a very popular choice, as it combines speed, features and bundled software into a near-unbeatable combination. For those with a bit more budget and the need for the fastest GeForce4 Ti available, MSI also offers a very similar GeForce4 Ti 4600 product.
The MSI G4Ti4600-VTD is the flagship card in the MSI line of performance 3D cards, and it definitely shows. This product looks to have everything but the kitchen sink thrown in, with hardware and software options to spare. The card definitely looks promising, but we'll be taking a very close look at the G4Ti4600-VTD to see if the first impressions hold up from start to finish.