The MSI G4Ti4600-VTD is a powerful 3D card with full VIVO features and a software bundle to die for, so expecting it to be a prime overclocker might be pushing things a bit too far, right? Apparently not, and the G4Ti4600-VTD overclocking results place it right at the top of the GeForce4 Ti 4600 charts as well.
Using no special tweaks, additional cooling or AS3 tricks, we managed to get a final overlock of 335 MHz core and 745 MHz memory. This is better than any other GeForce4 Ti 4600 card we've tested, and even more amazing, under certain circumstances the memory could actually go a bit higher. The MSI was really the first card we experienced this with, and although we had the memory to 750-760 MHz with the core at stock, the additional core heat at 320-335 MHz and the resultant warmer air from the fan lowered our high-end memory speeds. It is quite logical that the heat from one component would affect another, but MSI has to be using some very high-grade components in order to be reaching these speeds to begin with.
Another great overclocking feature is that MSI uses standard heatsink compound for cooling. This means removing the HSF via its push-pins and applying AS3 for additional cooling is a very simple procedure, with the added benefit of a tape-free, ultra-smooth core surface.
The following is a performance chart that compares the overclocked results against the standard scores, along with GeForce4 Ti 4400 results at standard clock speeds.
The next chart is a percentage breakdown of the framerate increases we gained through overclocking. It's quite plain to see that as resolutions increase, so too do the overclocking benefits.
* Keep in mind that these overclocking results are only indicative of a single MSI G4Ti4600-VTD card, so your mileage may definitely vary.
That the MSI G4Ti4600-VTD would finish at the top of the NVIDIA heap was a foregone conclusion, but far more impressive were the overclocking scores. Along with feature set, this is an area where cards can separate themselves from the pack. If our review card is indicative of the majority of retail cards out there, MSI is not just leading the pack, but is now the lead dog.
