So the GeForce 3 is actually better than the GF4?

[diggitydanks]

I am new to Maya so I never even heard of the Quadro until coming to these boards. I read that the GeForce 3 can be converted but the Geforce 4 can't. I really need to upgrade my system since I want to learn Maya. I can spend $200 max on a new video card. What do you guys suggest? A top of the line GeForce 3?

[tray-tam]

for $200, go for FireGL2 or wildcat5000.
the price is about $200 on ebay.com

I heard modifying GF3 is not helping performance gains but problems. GF2Ultra might have some advantages for modifying..

[dvornik]

I think your best bet is Geforce4 Ti 4200, but you may wait a bit until new generation of cards come out and the prices go down. Make sure you get Ti, not Mx.

Geforce3 can be modified into Quadro DCC with a softquadro utility that's part of rivatuner, that you can get on guru3d.com. It's a 3 or 4-stage process and it's less than obvious how to do it, there are limitations and technical dificulties. I wouldn't go with GF3 just because of that.

[diggitydanks]

I am just now learning Maya and I want to be able to play the new game, Battlefield 1942, so a GeForce 4 Ti 4200 may be good for me.

[jtk77]

technicaly the g3 is "smarter" than the g4. but the g4 has some raw power to it for sure and , I beleive , is cheaper for them to make..so it is a cheaper buy.
Go for the g4. 90% of the users won;t need some of the stuff in the g3 at all.