First post, by s0ren
Setup
HP T5720
CPU: AMD Geode NX1500 1GHz
RAM: DDR PC2700 512MB 333MHz
HDD: 32GB Transcend Industrial grade CF card
OS: Windows 98SE
Cards tested (all passively cooled)
HP nVidia Quadro NVS 280 275MHz
64 MB DDR 350MHz 128bit
DMS-59 for either DVI or VGA out
XFX nVidia GeForce MX4000 250MHz
64 MB DDR 350MHz 64bit
VGA and SVHS out
C.P Technologies ATI Radeon 9200SE 200MHz
128 MB DDR 266MHz 64bit
DVI, VGA and SVHS out
C.P Technologies ATI Radeon 9200 240MHz
256 MB DDR ?MHz 128bit
DVI, VGA and SVHS out
3D Mark 99 scores
NVS280: 6016
MX4000: 4991
9200SE: 4795
9200: 5103
The CPU scores were largely identical with each card.
NVS280 (uses the same core as a GeForce FX 5200)
Pros: Delivers great performance. Allows for smooth full HD game play in games like Unreal Tournament (DX mode only) and Shogo (albeit shogo needs patching before it will work).
Cons: Does not work with some VESA games that require line frame buffer (i.e. build engine games). Ken Silvermans "NOLFB"-patch fixes this issue for Duke Nukem 3D, but not for Death rally. Does not work with FIFA 98, FIFA99, FIFA2000, and Ignition - it either shows a black screen or crashes. GTA1 graphics are flickering and flashing to a point where its unpleasant to play. Tested with the newest and oldest compatible drivers but it made no difference. The card also becomes quite hot. VGA signal quality is a bit noisy to my surprise.
MX4000 (core derived from GeForce 2 / GeForce 4 MX440)
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Sort of slow. Absolutely useless in UT99 at higher resolutions than 720p. Has the same game incompatibility issues as the NVS280, except with VESA line frame buffer (runs build games perfectly).
9200SE (core derived from Radeon 8500)
Pros: Works with all the games I have thrown at it. Cool even after prolonged use.
Cons: Its about as slow as the MX4000, but a little better at higher resolutions, although it still feels a bit like a slide show so it hardly matters. Has a minor issue with EGA games where it has some latency if the game changes the palette (i.e. from magenta/cyan to red/green).
9200 (similar to 9200SE)
Pros: Works with all the games I have thrown at it. Cool even after prolonged use.
Cons: Despite the fact that the 3D mark score is similar to the 9200SE, its a lot better at high resolutions. UT99 is playable in full-HD + full details with 30-50FPS Has a minor issue with EGA games where it has some latency if the game changes the palette (i.e. from magenta/cyan to red/green).
Verdict
The 9200SE and NVS280 were the best cards. The MX4000 was not really good at anything compared to the two others. The choice here seems to be between 1080p performance and compatibility. Or perhaps finding a Radeon 9200 (non-SE) or 9250 with 128 bit memory bus.
***EDIT***
The Radeon 9200 with 128bit memory bus was hands-down the best overall. Good performance and superb compatibility.
