XFX 8400 GS 256mb
Introduction, packaging, package and specification
Published: 7th August 2007 | Source: XFX | Price: |
When a new line of cards comes out everybody focuses on the top-end hardware, playing games at high resolutions and generally seeing how much they push the envelope. What we tend to forget is that after these "beasts" come out there's a whole score of cards that are produced for the low end...cards that more people are interested in from a cost perspective.
Today we have one such card in the labs. XFX are showing off their lower end 8400 GS. Take a look-see how it gets on...
Packaging
The packaging on the XFX 8400 GS is typical XFX, with the Cyber-Dog snarling on the front colour. One of the things that struck me was the size of the package with this card. It's only around 14cm x 20cm long and does seem to be quite small in comparison to almost every package I have come across, but then it is the low-end offering from XFX.
The inside of the packaging is about as minimal as you can get with the card and the small amount of package you get placed inside the box.
Not much protection from careless e-tailors or couriers here I fear.
Package
This has to be the least impressive package I have seen with a graphics card and leaves me slightly dissapointed in XFX's choice here. Again though, the card is a low end very cheap part.
We have:
* Installation Manual
* S-Video output guide
* Driver CD
* S-Video cable
Package
This has to be the least impressive package I have seen with a graphics card and leaves me slightly dissapointed in XFX's choice here. Again though, the card is a low end very cheap part.
We have:
* Installation Manual
* S-Video output guide
* Driver CD
* S-Video cable
All in all pretty poor in my opinion. I was disappointed that the card didn't come with any decent method of connecting it to an HDTV, even a composite cable wasn't included. Having said that it is extremely cheap so it is hard to moan about this in light of the excellent low price
Specification
From XFX's web-site:
The card also supports nVidia PureVideo , which is a great bonus for those wanting good quality HD content, especially on a budget card like this one.
The specs aren't too bad for a low end card, now let's see what it looks like...
Specification
From XFX's web-site:
| Chipset GeForce™ 8400 GS Memory Clock 800 MHz Clock rate 450 MHz Shader Clock 1200 MHz Memory 256MB SUPPORTING 512MB Fill Rate 3.6 billion/sec Memory Bandwidth 6.4 GB/sec Memory Type DDR2 Memory Bus 64 bit RAMDACs 400 MHz Output VGA, DVI, HDTV Highlighted Features Vista , RoHS , HDCP Ready , HDTV ready , Low Profile Compatible [bracket not included] |
The card also supports nVidia PureVideo , which is a great bonus for those wanting good quality HD content, especially on a budget card like this one.
The specs aren't too bad for a low end card, now let's see what it looks like...
Most Recent Comments
Have tbh Kemp, u`ve been pretty fair with that summation of the card considering that u`ve obviously be cranking out on rigs with 8800+++.
The card and packaging are as I expected. I`ve got 3 cards in this range previously (meaning below the x600), the 7300, 6500, 6200 (one of those may be wrong number) from XFX and they`ve pretty much been packaged as u`ve described. Box about the size of the card, low profile and the only difference being a passive old-skool looking sink. (which they seem to be implying the 8400 will have in the future)
I know this is around £30, but as time goes by it`ll push £20 as close as it can - especially around the dawn of the 98xx arrivals. There after u`ll catch them for less than £20. (I bought some of the above for £15-£18 pfft)
This card is what it is, as were the previous ones, I think we should appreciate that. It`ll work in a working desktop very well, a workhorse server type pc that u just basically want a display, and has the benefits of crossing to u`r htpc with some added kick.
£20-£30 - and knowing what u`r buying it for, they fill the gap for me. I am a little supprized it doesn`t play C&C a bit better, usually tho with this range of card u can get away with shutting everything down to minimum u can get away with it - but u have to appreciate that that is what u are doing.
Fits in the market well for me.
The card and packaging are as I expected. I`ve got 3 cards in this range previously (meaning below the x600), the 7300, 6500, 6200 (one of those may be wrong number) from XFX and they`ve pretty much been packaged as u`ve described. Box about the size of the card, low profile and the only difference being a passive old-skool looking sink. (which they seem to be implying the 8400 will have in the future)
I know this is around £30, but as time goes by it`ll push £20 as close as it can - especially around the dawn of the 98xx arrivals. There after u`ll catch them for less than £20. (I bought some of the above for £15-£18 pfft)
This card is what it is, as were the previous ones, I think we should appreciate that. It`ll work in a working desktop very well, a workhorse server type pc that u just basically want a display, and has the benefits of crossing to u`r htpc with some added kick.
£20-£30 - and knowing what u`r buying it for, they fill the gap for me. I am a little supprized it doesn`t play C&C a bit better, usually tho with this range of card u can get away with shutting everything down to minimum u can get away with it - but u have to appreciate that that is what u are doing.
Fits in the market well for me.
Aye indeed. I think the card fits well in it's niche and really is great vfm
It's hard to look at a card like this when you're playing around with uber high end stuff all day but I think I gave it a fair shout and it performed well for it.
Hope y'all think it's a fair review
It's hard to look at a card like this when you're playing around with uber high end stuff all day but I think I gave it a fair shout and it performed well for it.
Hope y'all think it's a fair review
What more do you need for a non-gaming HTPC?
Good job as ever.
Good job as ever.
Great job as ever Kemp
Our of interest, how many views does the average review get?
Our of interest, how many views does the average review get?
Very nice read Kemp!
Looks like a solid card for the average user.
Looks like a solid card for the average user.
I also enjoyed ur review Kempez..It is especially helpful because there is a large group around me that will never be able to go with the 8800 series.
Its nice to know you dont have to spend a lot to get a GPU.
Its nice to know you dont have to spend a lot to get a GPU.
That's one fantastic value gfx card. I agree about the HSF, my first impression was "why not use a big Alu passive heatsink?".
Hello, i got a guestion about memory clock wich shall be a 800mhz in stock but in the ntune and RivaTuner it shows 400 someone know what might be wrong or i just dont know something 
DDR is double data rate, which means your normal memory clock is doubled. So 400mhz = 800mhz DDR, this is where it gets it from, that applies whether its ddr, ddr2, gddr3, w/e.
Thank you very much mate, now i know hoe it works
thanks very much, just purchased an HP Media Center PC (m9040n) and it comes with an 8400 pre-installed. Altho not exactly the same as the one in your review, it should be similar enough for me to base my choice on whether or not to upgrade or not. I have a very low budget, so upgrade choices may not even be worth the purchase. THank you again
No probs. If you're on a budget the 8400 is a decent enough card to play basic games on
the card should be fine, but do you have any recommendations for cards around 50-$100 that are worth a purchase? I might have found some, but im not sure and im on a really small budget. I know spending 50-100 more than that would get me a much better card, but i dont have that much to spare.
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Take a look at this then