NVIDIA GeForce2/3 Titanium Roundup - January 2002

PNY Verto GeForce3 Ti 500

PNY Verto GeForce3 Ti 500
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GPU	NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 500
Memory	64MB EliteMT DDR SDRAM 3.8ns
Cooling - Core	Integrated fan/heatsink combo
Cooling - Memory	(2) 18 fin RAMsinks
Temperature - Core	154 F / 67.8 C
TV-Out	Conexant CX25871
Video-In	N/A
Highest Overclock	260/590 MHz
Software/Gaming Bundle	N/A
Average Online Price	$300
Click here for the most recent price.

The PNY Verto GeForce3 Ti 500 features the same cooling setup we saw in the MSI Titanium series cards, meaning that the heatsink/fan unit on the core is interlocked with the memory heatsinks on the side. This time, however, the heatsink/fan is attached to the GeForce3 Ti 500 core using thermal glue. This could explain its high operating temperature of 154 degrees Fahrenheit. Then again, the high core temperature did not stop the Verto GeForce3 Ti 500 from putting on quite a show when overclocking. The 260/590MHz that the card reached was more than we could have asked for.

The similarity between the MSI GeForce3 Titanium boards and the PNY Verto GeForce3 Ti 500 got us thinking. We wondered if perhaps MSI was actually making GeForce3 Ti 500 boards for PNY. Our questions were answered as we examined each board. You may have noticed that the MSI cards are labeled "MS-8850" in the case of the GeForce3 Ti 200 and "MS-8854" in the case of the GeForce3 Ti 500 product. Examining the PNY card we see that the board is labeled "MS-8853". Coincidence? We think not, especially considering that MSI has been known to produce OEM boards for quite some time. The board model numbers are likely different (8853 vs 8854) because the MSI card we tested featured a unique board design to accommodate VIVO functionality.

The PNY Verto GeForce3 Ti 500 PCB label.	The MSI G3Ti500 Pro-VT PCB label.

Don't let the price of the PNY Verto GeForce3 Ti 500 mislead you. Although the card is the least expensive of all GeForce3 Ti 500 card we assembled for this roundup, the card does feature some extras like TV-out and DVI-out. Availability should be good, as PNY is a very retail oriented company, and knowing that the card is produced by MSI only adds to its clout.