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Here we are again, in the same
predicament we have found ourselves in many times before.
With the release of a "new" NVIDIA GPU, inevitably comes an
onslaught of cards all based on a standard reference design.
The up side to this "situation" is that all of the cards
based on the reference design have gone through a rigorous
testing regimen to insure compatibility, stability and
performance. The down side is that it becomes
increasingly more difficult to distinguish one product from
another as more and more brand-name cards hit store shelves.
Manufacturers are left with the
daunting task of differentiating their cards in a sea of
similar products that all look, perform and cost roughly the
same.
Leadtek thinks they are up to the task, and have
introduced two cards based on the NVIDIA GeForce 3
Ti500...the WinFast GeForce 3 Ti500 TD and the WinFast
GeForce 3 Ti500 TDH. The card we'll be looking at
today is the "TD" model. We've got a lot to cover, so
let's jump right in and see if Leadtek's spin on the GeForce
3 Ti500 is worth spending your hard earned money on...
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| Specifications Of The Leadtek
WinFast
GeForce 3 Ti500 TD |
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A Ti500 with some
extra metal... |
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CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR AN ENLARGED
VIEW
Leadtek
WinFast GF3 Ti 500:
- NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 500
nfiniteFX (tm) GPU
- On Board 64MB - 3.8ns
DDR Memory
- 8.0 GB/sec memory
bandwidth
- Core / Memory speed
240/500 MHz
- Lightspeed Memory
Architecture
- 350 MHz RAMDAC
- AGP 4X/2X, AGP
texturing and Fast Write support
- Programmable Vertex
Shader
- Shadow Buffer
Technology support
- 3D textures support
- Microsoft DirectX 8.1
and OpenGL 1.3 support
- High-Performance
Hardware Antialiasing (HRAA)
- On-board DVI support
- On-board TV-out
support up to 1024x768 resolution
- DVD software included
- Drivers Support for
Win 9X, ME, 2K and XP
- Leadtek WinFox system
utility
- 2 Full Games Bundled (DroneZ
and Gunlok)
Leadtek
Value-Added features:
- 64MB 3.8ns Memory
onboard
- Support RCA & S-video
TV-out
- Special Designed
Active Cooling Module
- 2 Full Games Bundled (DroneZ
and Gunlok)
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DVI
Display Resolutions Supported:
Display Resolutions Supported:
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THE BUNDLE:
Leadtek has
included some excellent software and accessories with the
WinFast GeForce 3 Ti500 TD.
In the box you'll find a
standard composite (RCA type) video cable, an S-Video cable
and an S-Video to composite adapter. If you plan on
using the TV-Out function, you won't need to purchase any
additional adapters to get this card connected to your VCR
or television...unless of course your using an ancient TV
that is only equipped with an F-Type connector.
A slew of software is also
included with the Leadtek WinFast GeForce 3 Ti500 TD.
There is a CD containing all of the necessary drivers needed
to get the card functioning. On this CD you'll also
find Leadtek's "WinFox" software suite and "Speed Runner"
software that give users the ability to tweak many of the
card's settings. Some third party applications are
also bundled with the "TD", including Cycore's CULT 3D,
Colorific and the excellent WinDVD 2000. So far, so
good. The surprise came when we found two full version
games in the box, Dronez and Gunlok! Many enthusiasts
claim the power of the GF3 goes to waste without games that
take advantage of the new features. Well, Leadtek is
trying to negate that argument...
The
Card, it's Drivers and Other
Features
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