GeForce4 MX460:
Core clocking: 300 MHz
Memory: 64 MB 275MHz DDR SDRAM @ 275 (550MHz)
Approximate MSRP price: $199
GeForce4 MX440:
Core clocking: 270 MHz
Memory: 64 MB 200MHz DDR SDRAM (400MHz)
Approximate MSRP price: $149.
GeForce4 MX420:
Core clocking: 250 MHz
Memory: 64 MB 166 MHz SDR SDRAM
Approximate MSRP price: $69-99
OK, there are the specs, let's break it down. From the past we know that a GeForce 256 paired with DDR ram is faster than a GeForce 2 MX. Now which one cost more? Why it was the GeForce 256 with DDR! Why was this? It was because the GeForce 2 MX was meant to be a budget solution. The GeForce 2 chipset may be different from the 256 but when it is missing vital piplines and is unable to consume the large ammounts of memory bandwidth it thirsts for, then it simply cannot perform to its fullest potential. The GeForce 3 had initially stumped me upon my first glimps of its specs; 200MHz core clock and 230MHz DDR SDRAM (460MHz). I am sure many, like myself, had wondered how a GeForce 3 (that has a memory clock equal to a GeForce 2 Ultra yet a core clock 50MHz less than a GF2 Ultra) could be faster than a GeForce 2 Ultra. The GeForce 3 GPU has a design of greater complexity which in turn is much more efficient with its use of memory bandwidth. The GeForce 2 chipset certainly could still perform to challenge the GF3 or any oncomming GPU provided that the GeForce 2 had access to a memory bandwidth insanely higher than it would be affordable.
The GeForce 2 MX simply cannot perform as well as its GTS/Pro/Ti/Ultra brothers becaues it is running with only one leg where as the others are running on two.
We are going to see the same case with the GeForce 4 MX. Only running with one leg as I like to describe it. 2 pixel pipe lines instead of 4... But looking from the numbers, it looks as if the GeForce 4 MX will experience something different from when the GeForce 2 MX made its debut. Ok, a standard default clock of a GeForce 3 Ti 200 is 175MHz core, 400MHz memory. Now compare that with the GeForce 4 MX 460 with a 300MHz core and 550MHz memory. The GeForce 4 MX 460 may be only running with one leg, however that leg surely is fast. Fast enough to overtake a GF3 Ti 200 @ a default clock speed, probably not. But then we have to consider pricing. I am well aware that a respecatable GF3 Ti 200 can be found easily for about $150 for a retail boxed board, however the MSRP is still at the $199 mark, or at least that is the price I see every time I enter a local electronics store such as Worst Buy, er Best Buy. So the GeForce 4 MX will offer performance at several price points to please those that don't want to fork over $400 for an NV25 powered GeForce 4.
The fastest GeForce 4 MX may not be faster than any GeForce 3, however it will get its job done I am sure. We also have to consider that there are two more versions of the GeForce 4 MX, the 440 and 420. With the 420 being priced under $100, those boards should sell like hotcakes and perform very well considering their price. nVidia is in no way trying to replace its NV20 line up with their NV17. It is the NV12 they are looking to retire. The NV25 will take the place of the NV20...