8800GTS shootout - XFX 8800GTS XXX vs Gainward 8800GTS "Golden Sample"
Gainward Bliss 8800 GTS "Golden Sample" 640mb
Published: 5th March 2007 | Source: XFX | Price: |
Packaging
As is usual with Gainward there's a CGI female character on the front of the box and the packaging and protection is very good with some details on features and the name clearly printed on the box. The little golden emblem of the "Golden Sample" let's potential buyers that this is Gainward's signature range.
The Card
Both of the cards have been loaded up with the stock 8800GTS cooler that all of the early 8800GTS cards were provided with. This is an excellent, solid and reliable cooler that keeps these hot GPU's fairly cool whilst maintaining relative silence.
Gainward have gone for their signature red on the card and added their unique logo onto it as well:
The card is certainly very striking with the imposing cooler and the red colour. Also a nice touch is a Gainward logo on the top of the card or those of you with a case window to show off your hardware.
Package
In the box you get:
* Gainward Quick Start manual
* Gainward Drivers, Utilities and Manuals disc
* Power DVD Player Software
* CyberLink DVD Solution Software
* 2 x DVI to VGA adaptors
* 1 x S-Video out to Composite and Component
* 1 x Dual molex to 6 Pin PCI-e power adaptor
As usual Gainward provide a full package from a software perspective. With PowerDVD and a Gainward branded CyberLink DVD Solution as well as a drivers disc, Gainward have catered for those who want to have everything there for them upon opening the box. I did notice the lack of the usual "Free2Choose" voucher in the pack, which is unusual as this is usually something Gainward include this to fill out the package completely, and the choices are usually rather good.
The hardware package is also pretty decent with almost everything you need in the box. I did notice that an S-Video>S-Video cable was not included but seeing as most enthusiasts will not use this I don't think it's a great tragedy.
Overall a decent package as I have come to expect from Gainward.
Clock Speeds
Gainward have chosen to go for 550/1760 for the clock speeds of the card, along with 1200MHz on the stream processor clock. This should certainly help when pushing those pixels, although it is slightly lower than the XFX "XXX" Edition on the memory and certainly quite a bit lower on the stream processor clock.
Package
In the box you get:
* Gainward Quick Start manual
* Gainward Drivers, Utilities and Manuals disc
* Power DVD Player Software
* CyberLink DVD Solution Software
* 2 x DVI to VGA adaptors
* 1 x S-Video out to Composite and Component
* 1 x Dual molex to 6 Pin PCI-e power adaptor
As usual Gainward provide a full package from a software perspective. With PowerDVD and a Gainward branded CyberLink DVD Solution as well as a drivers disc, Gainward have catered for those who want to have everything there for them upon opening the box. I did notice the lack of the usual "Free2Choose" voucher in the pack, which is unusual as this is usually something Gainward include this to fill out the package completely, and the choices are usually rather good.
The hardware package is also pretty decent with almost everything you need in the box. I did notice that an S-Video>S-Video cable was not included but seeing as most enthusiasts will not use this I don't think it's a great tragedy.
Overall a decent package as I have come to expect from Gainward.
Clock Speeds
Gainward have chosen to go for 550/1760 for the clock speeds of the card, along with 1200MHz on the stream processor clock. This should certainly help when pushing those pixels, although it is slightly lower than the XFX "XXX" Edition on the memory and certainly quite a bit lower on the stream processor clock.
Most Recent Comments
looks like a good deal, does that GTS 
but i am waiting to get a X1950XTX, when the R600 comes out, the price should plumit!
or so i hope
Quote
but i am waiting to get a X1950XTX, when the R600 comes out, the price should plumit!
or so i hope
QuoteHey Kempez, do you thing a XFX XXX 320Mb version would be better than a regular 640Mb version?Quote
I didn't try the 320mb version I'm afraid mark - but I put it in the conclusion as a considerationQuote
nice review kemp =P
@ markkleb out of the box, GTX is better, GTS stock is 500 whereas GTX is 550-575. I dont think price/performance wise thou a GTX is worth more to get.Quote
@ markkleb out of the box, GTX is better, GTS stock is 500 whereas GTX is 550-575. I dont think price/performance wise thou a GTX is worth more to get.Quote
CSS Valid
Definatly made a good read