GeForce 9600 GT Triplet Review
July 8, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
NVIDIA’s success in 2005-2006, when it was launching products step by step ending up with GeForce 8800, turned the company’s head and brought chaos. We have an impression that marketing specialists of this company forgot about primary needs, permanently celebrating victories over the competitor. I was told once that some companies build their entire business on the slogan to be better than their competitors. That is, not to develop innovations or think about users, but just to be better than the competitor. NVIDIA is a perfect example of this modus operandi.
Why think about users? The company rolled out GeForce 8800 GTS 320/640 MB with 96 processors and a 320-bit bus. Then the same product name was used for a card with 512 MB of memory, a 256-bit bus, and 128 processors. They don’t care if users are confused – in fact, a 640 MB card is slower than a 512MB card, based on a new core. Both cards are called 8800 GTS. A little higher frequency, and we get 9800 GTX. And no one took pains to explain to users why the first number was incremented and the suffix was changed. The former should indicate a change of generations. It took a real revolution to change 7800 to 8800. While 8800 and 9800 differ by mere 25 MHz.
That’s not all. Now the 8800 GS are be renamed into 9600 GSO, because the ‘8′ digit is already an eyesore, and there are so many G92 rejects that they must be utilized. Again no one has explained to users that the 9600 GT has 64 processors and a 256-bit bus, while the 9600 GSO has 96 processors and a 192-bit bus. Besides, they are based on different cores.
The lesson taught by the 8800 GTS 640 and 8800 GTS 512 based on different cores was wasted. Why think about users? What’s important is that AMD with its 3870 is left far behind, and only the 3870 X2 is still kicking.
To say nothing about the mess with the 8800 GT and 9800 GT. Plus the GT200 with a consequent rollout of cut-down products based on its rejects. That’s a real mess.
Some of you may think that I’m exaggerating. However, many retailers share this opinion. Even NVIDIA already realizes what they have done.
Moreover, this mess is undeservingly corrupting user impression of some products and their value. For example, GeForce 9600 GT is a very good product for its price, performance and features. The problem is with lots of older products and the notorious 9600 GSO. But it still makes sense to examine new products based on 9600 GT.
Today we are going to take a look at at products made by Gainward and Forsa. The former is a well-known manufacturer, while the latter is a startup. I cannot say that it’s super, but it manufactures good products for minimal prices possible. There are both pros and cons. Today we are going to examine one card from Forse that is already replacing the regular reference 9600 GT.
GIGABYTE GeForce 9600GT TurboForce 1GB Review
June 13, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
Only just the other day we looked at the GIGABYTE 9600GT TurboForce 512MB; today we look at the 1GB version of this card. While we’ve never been a huge fan of 1GB mid-range cards, the GIGABYTE TurboForce version carrying with it a hefty core and memory increase seemed to help the card out a little bit more.
The 512MB version really managed to impress us with some great performance and a well thought out design on the cooler which helped keep our core temperature down to a minimum. While overclocking is something that is generally reserved for actively cooled cards, GIGABYTE has shown us that you can have performance and peace in the same package.
Before we get into the performance side of things, we will check out the package and the card if you missed out on the 512MB review. So we’d better stop rambling and just get into it.
Inno3D GeForce 9600GT iChill Hurricane Review
June 10, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
The iChill is one series of cards that I’ve really liked from the word go. Inno3D’s attention to detail by using only the best quality coolers and a good line-up of cards make this series really stand out when compared to what’s on offer from other companies.
Even so, the latest entry into the iChill series did carry with it a bit of a surprise upon opening up the box. What was that surprise? – Well, there’s only one way to figure that out, and that is to read on.
Let’s have a quick look at the box before we dive deeper and find out why the Inno3D 9600GT had us working a little harder than usual to get the card up and running.
MSI N9600GT Hybrid Freezer Graphics Card Review
June 10, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
As horrible looking as the MSI cooler on the 9600GT is, there’s no denying that it does a fantastic job of cooling the core. It seems that MSI has decided to kick it up a notch with a new cooler named Hybrid Freezer.
It’s always nice to see companies mix it up with new coolers, and the Hybrid Freezer seems to have some pretty cool technology behind it. It makes sense that they’re installing it on the popular 9600GT series of card, and in this case MSI has decided to install it on a card carrying with it 1GB of GDDR3 memory for added appeal.
While we’ve looked at so many 9600GTs, you have to admit that we’ve seen such a huge variety of different models; some excellent clocks, some excellent connectivity and some pretty funky aftermarket coolers.
Today we add another to the pile and find out if the cooler on the new MSI 9600GT is able to stand out from the pack. Considering the MSI cooler we’ve seen before is one of the best as far as performance goes, it seems that the Hybrid Freezer’s ultimate competition is from the same manufacturer.
Let’s check out the box and see what’s going on there before we get stuck into the card.
Computex: Zotac Shows Off DisplayPort 9600GT
June 4, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
Dropping by the Zotac booth at the Nangang hall in Taipei, the company had a DisplayPort ready 9600GT board on display. One of the very first DisplayPort enabled graphics cards, the card promises high resolution from a thin cable. The current DisplayPort standard supports resolutions up to 2560×1600, which is the same as running a high resolution display on dual-link DVI.
Twintech GeForce 9600GT XXT OC Edition
June 4, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
I honestly thought that we were running out of letters to use for overclocked 9600GT cards. BFG pretty much has OC and OC2 locked down, Zotac has AMP!, ASUS has TOP and XFX has become tired of just using XXX, now opting for words like Alpha Dog.
Twintech has opted for XXT for its top overclocked 9600GT. It’s been ages since we’ve seen anything from Twintech, but the last time we looked we were pretty impressed with what they offered.
Today it’s time to look at another 9600GT. As mentioned already, the overclocked XXT edition from Twintech. The OC doesn’t look too bad and the company’s opted for an aftermarket cooler. So let’s stop rambling and just get stuck into the package.
Chaintech Announces Limited Gaming Edition bundling Overclocking Graphics Card
May 28, 2008 by Cabro · Leave a Comment
Walton Chaintech, the world’s renowned memory module and graphics card manufacturer, will proudly display its latest products at 2008 Taipei Computex. Walton Chaintech is about to showcase excellent product portfolio including APOGEE overclocking memory modules and CHAINTECH gaming graphics cards embraced by the theme of Gaming with Passion at TWTC Nangang Hall Stand J306 in the first floor. During the show, overclocking live demonstration, magic show, jazz dances and limited cocktails will be available at Walton Chaintech’s stand.
In Computex, Walton Chaintech Corporation will present the new Limited Gaming Edition in deluxe gift package, featuring CHAINTECH GeForce 9600GT 512MB O/C version and APOGEE GT DDR2 1066 4GB kit that can easily optimize the PC performance. This exceptional combination of CHAINTECH gaming graphics card and APOGEE DDR2 1066 4GB memory modules have been strictly tested in multiple PC platforms to ensure higher reliability and greater system performance for gamers and enthusiast users. Only limited numbers of this special gaming edition in deluxe packages will be available to the global market.
CHAINTECH GSE96GT 512MB Overclocking version is considered an evolution version of 9600GT, with advancing itself from 650 MHz core clock to 735 MHz by running on a 256-bit bus. The full-throttle memory solution GDDR3 512MB which CHAINTECH 9600GT 512MB OC Edition adopts now enables the card to run up to 1900 MHz. Partner up with the card in this deluxe package, APOGEE DDR2 1066 4GB kit can be installed to the PC perfectly to achieve high speed with the dual modules of 2GB’s large capacity. This combination allows users to conduct any 3D gaming, video or photo editing or any other visual information processing needs more efficiently.
In the upcoming Taipei Computex, Walton Chaintech will exhibit not only this Limited Gaming Edition but also a complete range of memory products including the APOGEE GT DDR2 1200 memory modules in 4GB kit and Flash SATA SSD in 32 GB and 64 GB. Additionally, just certified by Taiwan Patent Office, Walton Chaintech’s APOGEE GT Blazer series DDR3 2000 memory modules with Cool-it-Smart heatsink design had also participated the Best Choice Award of 2008 Taipei Computex. This innovative memory product has received high recognition from the judges for its unique product design for power users who desire to maximize the performance of their systems with impressively improved cooling efficiency.
Walton Chaintech has been dedicated itself to building premium quality Graphics Card and Memory Module products for pursuing brand excellence, compatibility and reliability. Carrying on successful business cooperation from past and embracing new perspectives for future, Walton Chaintech sincerely invites you to stop by our booth in Computex TWTC Nangang and experience our theme of Gaming with Passion.
