Introduction

Budget?

Who here remembers what the TNT2 M64 was? Who doesn't want to remember? As a value oriented card, the TNT2 M64 was woefully pathetic. Barely able to manage decent frame rates, it added insult to injury by generating a 1280x1024 desktop resolution by the skin of its teeth. One could only hope that NVIDIA released something more palatable to the man on a shoestring budget this time around. Thank god they did.

This newest budget model is based off of the ultra-powerful GeForce2 line. Featuring all the perks of the GF2 chipset - second generation GPU, T&L and scores of other improvements. The good, in this case, must come with the bad; the MX has a slower core and considerably different memory. Also of note, this iteration of cash-strapped cards brings with it support for the almighty dual monitor setup, although we have yet to see a company produce a GeForce2 MX with connectors for two monitors.

Let me save you the trouble of going through the entire review right now with this statement: If you are a gamer with an insane need for power -- look elsewhere. This card isn't going to cut the cheese against the likes of the real deals. The GeForce2, the Radeon, even the Voodoo5 will pummel this card and eat it for lunch. Think of the GeForce2 MX as the Celeron of P3s, all the features of a regular GeForce2 with none of the gusto to spare.

If you are looking for a card that can stretch your dollar to extreme limits -- you're in the right place. You might not get all the power that the top-of-the-line cards have, but for the price you are definitely getting a good deal.

Card Front

Elsa

The Elsa GeForce2 MX in particular, throws no curve balls in its presentation. The box was a bit scary perhaps, but with respect to hardware there aren't any surprises. The card is essentially the standard reference design, with dual monitor support removed.