SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce

Conclusion

This review does not attempt to place a value on the 64 MB platform on a whole, but rather it deals with how a specific product, the SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce, compares to the rest of the 64 MB playing field. If you are interested in the value of 64 MB GeForce cards, please see our 64 MB GeForce Review which deals with these aspects. Now, let's examine the SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce.

Design-wise, the SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce does not stand out much. The only interesting aspect of the card is its incorporation of an AGP-Pro form factor. It seems to us that this would only scare consumers away, for fear that their computer will not provide enough power for the card. Rest assured, however, that as long as your motherboard is relatively new and of good quality, you should have no power problems running this card.

On the cooling side of things, we determined that looks can be deceiving. Having a card that can reach a core speed of 162 MHz says a lot about the cooling system incorporated on the card. Even though we know that chip quality plays a role in overclocking, we also know that excessive heat can put a damper on a highly overclockable chip simply due to the fact that the card got too hot. On the memory side of things, the Hyundai SDRAM chips proved to be a real overclocking performer. Reaching a speed of 352 MHz, the memory clock should easily be able to move information to and from the large 64 MB of on card RAM. Finally, the 2D image quality is what we have come to expect from the GeForce processor.

The SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce does have its downsides, however. First off, there is no space on the card for TV-out options, suggesting that a Platinum with TV-out will never be sold. Secondly, the use of reference drivers may be viewed as a negative point for some, especially those from the days when companies such as Diamond Multimedia produced extravagant and highly useful driver sets and utilities. One of the major downsides to the SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce is the fact that it includes no software bundle. The card does come with a nicely decorated CD, but the sole contents of this CD are the display drivers and NVIDIA demos. We have come to expect at least some form of included software in cards, thus it is a bit disappointing to find no such party favors in the SUMA box. The final, and perhaps most influential, drawback to the SUMA Platinum 64 MB GeForce is its price. Running at a retail price of $315, the 64 MB GeForce costs about $75 more than a 32 MB GeForce card that includes such luxuries as TV-out and bundled software. In addition, one should be cautious when viewing the large speed increase associated with 64 MB cards. As described in our 64 MB GeForce Review, tables may turn when S3TC compression is incorporated into the upcoming driver set from NVIDIA.

If you are set on buying a 64 MB GeForce, the SUMA Platinum GeForce is a strong purchase. While its availability may be low, we suspect that it will be one of the lower costing 64 MB GeForce cards. In addition, being first on the market has its appeal: wouldn't you like to be the first on your block to upgrade your computer to a 64 MB GeForce video card? Keep in mind, however, that as much as this card reassembles a Quadro, it is not one. NVIDIA still incorporates the GeForce limitations into the 64 MB GeForce cards. SUMA definitely has made an impact in the US video card market with the release of the first retail 64 MB GeForce. If you are looking for one excellent gaming card at the lower price range compared to other 64 MB GeForce cards, consider the SUMA Platinum GeForce. Beware, on the other hand, of small long term value, especially with the NV15 right around the corner.