Asus X1950 Pro Crossfire (EAX1950PRO)
Introduction, Packaging and Package
Published: 13th November 2006 | Source: Asus | Price: |
When ATI released the X1950 Pro enthusiasts were all keen to get their hands on these very cheap cards that gave such great performance. Losing the external dongle for Crossfire support and gaining a much more "sexy" pair of internal bridge connectors the X1950 Pro looked to be an awesome performer. We wrote a brief introduction to the card here
Asus kindly sent us a couple of X1950 Pro's for us to give you a better idea of how well these cards perform.
Packaging
Modern graphics cards come in a plethora of packaging and quite often we see some form of space age female on the cover. Asus have run with this form of packaging with the EAX1950PRO, but it's done pretty well in this case. I would have preferred a picture of the card in all honestly as this gives the user an idea of what they have bought.
The bottom of the box shows some useful information about the cards in a veritable plethora of languages. This looks pretty crowded but Asus obviously have a large worldwide audience.
The inside of the box is well packaged with foam protecting the card and cardboard keeping the bundle in place.
Even the most negligent of couriers would have problems harming your graphics card.
Package
Asus have taken the option of not shipping a game or utility with this card, instead choosing to include simply a driver CD.
The package contents are as follows:
* 1 x DVI > VGA connector
* 1 x S-Video > Component connector
* 1 x Quick Start Manual
* 1 x CD-based full manual
* 1 x Asus Driver CD
* 1 x PCI-e > 4 Pin molex power connector
* 1 x Faux-leather CD wallet
* 2 x Asus internal crossfire bridge connecter
Package
Asus have taken the option of not shipping a game or utility with this card, instead choosing to include simply a driver CD.
The package contents are as follows:
* 1 x DVI > VGA connector
* 1 x S-Video > Component connector
* 1 x Quick Start Manual
* 1 x CD-based full manual
* 1 x Asus Driver CD
* 1 x PCI-e > 4 Pin molex power connector
* 1 x Faux-leather CD wallet
* 2 x Asus internal crossfire bridge connecter
The package seems to provide you with a decent amount but is lacking some of the niceties that I've seen from other graphics card companies. Comparing this to say Gainward - you are missing at least a DVI > VGA converter and an S-Video > Composite cable. The lack of even trial DVD software is also slightly disappointing.
It is also worth noting that only the Crossfire version of the card comes with the two necessary dongles for Crossfire, meaning that you would have to search out a Crossfire bundled card to be able to enable Crossfire. I think that this is something Asus should think about changing as I could not see any physical difference in the cards at all. Adding one dongle to each card would make a lot more sense.
Update Feedback From Asus:
"thanks to the European feedback we are reviewing having a ‘crossfire’ edition card bundled with both internal connectors and instead going to bundle one connector with each internal crossfire capable card. This decision is probably too late to happen with our 1950PRO shipment but should happen with future ATI cards."
That said: the package has everything you need to get on with and for almost all hardware enthusiasts it will be enough.
Onto the card...
It is also worth noting that only the Crossfire version of the card comes with the two necessary dongles for Crossfire, meaning that you would have to search out a Crossfire bundled card to be able to enable Crossfire. I think that this is something Asus should think about changing as I could not see any physical difference in the cards at all. Adding one dongle to each card would make a lot more sense.
Update Feedback From Asus:
"thanks to the European feedback we are reviewing having a ‘crossfire’ edition card bundled with both internal connectors and instead going to bundle one connector with each internal crossfire capable card. This decision is probably too late to happen with our 1950PRO shipment but should happen with future ATI cards."
That said: the package has everything you need to get on with and for almost all hardware enthusiasts it will be enough.
Onto the card...
Most Recent Comments
Nice review, and great cards to boot!!
For £133 they're v. good value
Thats prob the best price: performance card ive see... well ever.
Definitely too late, unless you're on a tight budget. With the onslaught of nVidia's DX10 8800GTX's and GTS's, I don't see them selling very well, especially when nVidia starts slinging mid-range DX10 GT's into the market. (Is the 'GTS' supposed to be the 'GT' version? I'm a bit confused right now.)
TJS
TJS
No I have to say £133 for a GPU that performs that well is an absolute bargain. no diggedy no doubt
Great job reviewing those bad boys! 
Great review
i love that Asus have been so fast to amend their mistake
i love that Asus have been so fast to amend their mistake
Yeah I was pretty impressed by that too: good work by Asus imo
OoOOoooo!
Cheap as chips!
If I wasn't a Nvidia homeboy I would get one...
Cheap as chips!
If I wasn't a Nvidia homeboy I would get one...
good review really helping me decide on a graphics card
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Originally Posted by name='dada'
good review really helping me decide on a graphics card
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Originally Posted by name='Kempez'
Excellent that's what we like to hear
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