Introduction

Cloak and dagger

The original GeForce was codenamed the NV10, and the GeForce 2 GTS was called the NV15. Back when the NV15 was in development, just everyone knew that it was going to be NVIDIA's "spring refresh" part. The NV15 may have been the no-brainer, but the NV11 was still a mystery.

Numbered between the NV10 and the NV15, this enigmatic chip had everyone guessing. The "11" implied that the chip was only marginally better than the NV10. I was almost convinced that the NV11 was going to be a mobile chip (at least until leaked reports started appearing online).

Well kids, the NV11 definitely isn't a mobile chip. Today (just half an hour ago, in fact) NVIDIA finally announced the NV11, the GeForce 2 MX.

Pond, 1024x768

Pond 2, 1280x1024

A GPU for the masses

A turkey in every pot and a GPU for everyone! NVIDIA is going mainstream. Sure, dominating the high-end has been very lucrative, but you're NVIDIA, you can't help but eye that high-volume mainstream market. ATI's lunch looks mighty tasty doesn't it?

We have to admit that we cringed when we first heard that the GeForce 2 MX was going to be a mainstream product. Is the MX going to be crippled like the Vanta, or did NVIDIA get it right this time? The MX isn't as powerful as the GeForce 2 GTS, but let me say this right now: I want this card.

NVIDIA's goal is to increase its market share from 20% to 60% with the GeForce 2 MX. That's a lofty goal, but after spending a couple days with the MX, it looks like this card might be able to do it!

Warning: 1600x1200

Another 1600x1200