ASUS EN8800GTX GeForce 8800 GTX


Introduction and Product Specifications

With Microsoft Vista and DirectX 10 poised to flood the mainstream market, those looking to take advantage of all of the new OS's capabilities will need a quality graphics solution to appreciate new graphical features and eventually next generation gaming. 

Currently, the only DX10 ready graphics cards available come in the form of NVIDIA's GeForce 8800 series, while ATI's DX10 solution is still looming off in the distance. At this stage of the game, NVIDIA's GeForce 8800 comes in two flavors, the high-end GeForce 8800GTX and the slightly scaled down GeForce 8800GTS.  Some may balk that there are only two DX10 cards currently offered on the market today and normally we might agree that the more choices the better, however, after our in-depth coverage of the GeForce 8800's initial launch, it's hard not to be impressed with what NVIDIA has delivered, even if it is the only DX10 solution available at this time.

Today, we are going to take a look at ASUS's take on the GeForce 8800GTX, the EN8800GTX.  Following closely with NVIDIA's reference design, ASUS brings a potent graphics solution to market that is complemented with a well rounded retail package to help feed those insatiable gaming desires.  In the pages ahead, we'll take a closer look at the EN8800GTX and evaluate its performance compared to a number of high-end cards currently available.  We'll also take an approach to performance based on a system with a mid-range CPU to help the average user ascertain whether the purchase of a premium video card will pay full dividends in the end.
 

ASUS EN8800GTX 768MB DDR3 Specifications
Specifications
Graphics Engine
GeForce 8800GTX

Video Memory
768MB DDR3

Engine Clock
575MHz

Memory Clock
1.8GHz (900MHz DDR3)

Memory Interface
384-bit

Max Resolution
Up to 2560 x 1600

Bus Standard
PCI Express X16

VGA Output
YES, via DVI to VGA Adapter

HDTV Output
YES, via HDTV Out cable

TV Output
YES, via S-Video to Composite

Dual DVI Output
YES

HDCP Support
YES

Adapter/Cable Bundled
DVI to VGA adapter
Power Cable*2
HDTV-out cable

Software Bundled
3D Game: Ghost Recon, GTI Racing
3Dmark06
ASUS Utilities & Driver

Note

Card Size: 10.5 inch length, 4.97 inch width, 1.43 inch height
6 pin power connector * 2 inside the box
Minimum 450W or greater system power supply (with 12V current rating of 30A)

ASUS Exclusive Innovations

HDCP Compliant:  Allow playback of HD DVD, Blu-Ray Disc and other protected content at full HD resolutions

Built for Microsoft Windows Vista

ASUS Splendid:  Watching movies on PC is as good as on Top-of-the-line consumer television

ASUS Video Security Online:  Keep an eye on your home at all times no matter where you are

ASUS Game LiveShow:  Stream live gaming action onto the internet and share with other gaming enthusiast

ASUS Game Replay:  Recording gaming action and strategy into MPEG4 files to share with other gaming enthusiast

ASUS Game Face Messenger:  Easy IM and live game conference in any PC games

ASUS OnScreen Display:  Adjust the fame settings and enhance gaming experience without leaving the game

Graphics GPU Features

NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX

Built for Microsoft Windows Vista

NVIDIA SLI Technology ready

NVIDIA unified architecture with GigaThread technology

Full support for Microsoft DirectX10.0 and Shader Model 4.0 enables stunning and complex special effects

OpenGL2.0 support

NVIDIA Quantum Effects Technology

True 128-bit floating point high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting

Two dual-link DVI outputs support two 2560x1600 resolution displays

I/O Specification
PCI-Express
HDCP Compliant
TV-Out
HDTV-out
Dual DVI-I
VGA



The EN880GTX's accessory bundle and packaging is comprehensive.  Along with the card itself, ASUS dropped in some essentials and extras to complement the card nicely.  To start, ASUS provided two CDs, one with drivers and the other including proprietary ASUS utilities, such as GameFace and LiveShow, which are further covered in the specifications above.  Additionally, ASUS included a copy of 3DMark06 for personal benchmarking as well as two games, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and GTI Racing. 

  

The package comes with power adapters to convert Molex 4-pin to 6-pin PCI power connections, which require a total of four Molex leads from the PSU.  There was also a DVI to VGA adapter for connecting the card to an analog monitor and an component video cable was included as well to support other types of mainstream HDTV connections.


Tags:  Asus, GeForce, GTX, N8, force, GT

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