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- Date:
- Sunday , March 06, 2005
- Author:
- Brent Justice
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
MSI and XFX 6600 GT AGP and PCI-E
We report on our gaming experience with MSI’s 6600 GT PCI-Express and XFX’s 6600 GT AGP and PCI-Express video cards. New games used include Chronicles of Riddick and Everquest II.
XFX:
You may or may not have heard of XFX. XFX was established in April 2002 as a division of PINE. PINE is an international manufacturer and designer of computer components ranging from digital audio, video devices, and computer peripherals. XFX is dedicated to using PINE’s resources to build video cards and motherboards exclusively.
Currently, XFX is partnered with NVIDIA to bring you NVIDIA-based video cards. XFX’s current product lineup consists of everything from a TNT2 to the latest GeForce 6800 Ultra PCI-Express. XFX has two different 6600 GT PCI-Express models and one 6600 GT AGP model. The PVT43GNDD7 is based on the GeForce 6600 GT GPU and is dubbed the “EXTREME GAMER EDITION.” What makes this card an “EXTREME GAMER EDITION” is the fact that the memory frequency has been clocked at 1.2GHz. For comparison, the PVT43GNDF7 uses the NVIDIA reference memory clock speed of 1GHz. Therefore, the “EXTREME GAMER EDITION” has a 100MHz higher memory speed (200MHz DDR) compared to a stock 6600 GT right out of the box. The GPU frequency on both cards is 500MHz. We have the “EXTREME GAMER EDITION” for evaluation today.
On the AGP side of things XFX has the PVT43AND. The AGP XFX GeForce 6600 GT also runs with a faster memory frequency. The NVIDIA reference memory clock frequency on an AGP 6600 GT is 900MHz. The XFX GeForce 6600 GT AGP runs at a 1GHz memory frequency.
XFX GeForce 6600 GT PCI-E 128MB EXTREME GAMER EDITION:
XFX is using a blue printed circuit board. The layout looks exactly like the reference design. In fact, the heatsink fan unit is exactly like the NVIDIA reference heatsink fan unit except that it has the XFX logo. This is all the cooling that is required on the 6600GT. Even the RAM modules at 1.2GHz do not require heatsinks. No external power is needed with the video card drawing all it needs from the PCI-Express slot. The XFX GeForce 6600 GT is fully ready for SLI.
The XFX GeForce 6600 GT PCI-Express EXTREME GAMER EDITION uses Samsung K4J55323QF-GC16 GDDR3 RAM modules. These memory modules are rated for a maximum frequency of 600MHz. The default memory clock speed of the card is 600MHz (1.2GHZ DDR). Therefore, we are right at the maximum specified frequency for the memory.
One thing that sets this card apart from others is that it has dual DVI support. So if you have a couple of LCDs you want to setup in a dual monitor configuration, you can do that digitally provided the LCDs have DVI inputs. If you have VGA monitors, there are two DVI to VGA adapters included to use VGA.
The packaging on this card is very secure. Your video card has absolutely no chance of shifting during transit. The video card is held in a plastic container with a big yellow “X” holding it down in the box. On this X are some very humorous quotes. Right in the middle of the “X” it says “Attention: This package contains Dangerously Awesome Graphics.” On each flap of the “X” is a quote that we will type out here for your enjoyment. The first flap on the top left corner reads as follows: “Class R: Materials Causing Extended Gameplay and Long Term Effects include Extreme Graphic Standards.” The flap on the top right corner reads: “Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material Causing you to Spontaneously Scream XFX Rules.” The lower left flap reads: “Class D1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Side Effect including Excitement and Amazement.” Finally, the lower right flap reads: “Class E: Contents are Contagious and May Cause Infectious Gaming Experiences to Spread to Others.” We love it when a company can inject humor like this into their products!
XFX includes three unique games in their bundle. You get X2 The Threat, Commandos 3, and Nascar Thunder 2004. A driver CD is also included containing driver version 66.31. You will of course want to head over to NVIDIA’s website to get the latest driver versions.
XFX GeForce 6600 GT AGP 128MB:
The reference AGP version of the GeForce 6600 GT requires the arrangement of the RAM and GPU to be shifted so that there is room for the HSI bridge chip. The XFX GeForce 6600 GT AGP follows this reference design. Because the AGP slot does not provide enough power for the card, external power is required. You will find a Molex connector on the board, but no Molex power splitter cable is included in the package so you will need a free connector on your power supply for this video card. XFX is using the same blue color PCB for the AGP version as they do for their PCI-Express version.
The heatsink fan unit on our retail sample is based on the reference design. Note, however, that there is an update on XFX’s web site under the section for this video card. Under Tech Notes, they have a Fan Update PDF dated 12/27/2004. In this PDF, they describe a new improved active heatsink fan unit that is now shipping on this video card. They claim it the new heatsink provides a 10-20 degree improvement in cooling. You’ll want to make sure to look for this latest model when purchasing your video card.
The AGP version of this card also has dual DVI, which is a plus. Two DVI to VGA adapters are also included. The software bundle is the same as the PCI-Express version as it includes X2 The Threat, Commandos 3 and Nascar Thunder 2004.