XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition

Performance Summary:  In every test we ran, the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition topped all other mid-range cards in our benchmark suite.  This wasn't a surprise since the comparisons were not intended to be an apples-to-apples evaluation but more to show how much you can expect to gain if you were to upgrade to a model like the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition.  While the Radeon HD 4870 may have been a competitor for the first GTX 260s, with the added stream processors of the core 216 and the amped up clockspeeds implemented by XFX, the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition is a tough act to follow.

At times, when evaluating a component like a graphics card, it can be difficult to argue whether the piece of hardware should be considered over others in its class.  This is especially true when its performance and features doesn't necessarily help the product stand out from the rest.  With respect to the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition, however, the overclocked GeForce 260 (216) stands out in a number of ways.

First, from a performance standpoint, the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition offers excellent performance across the board.  The card easily beat the Radeon HD 4870 and made the once dominant GeForce 8800GTX look like old hat.  Granted, those looking for more performance, especially when resolutions over 1600x1200 are planned, it may be wise to consider a GeForce GTX 280.  Otherwise the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition offers a lot of bang for the dollar.

When we compare the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition from a pricing perspective, it continues to grab our attention.  We've seen this model retail in the area of $280 with rebates dropping the price to $250.  When we compare that to the Radeon HD 4870, which we've seen ranging from $239-275, the XFX GeForce GTX 260 (216) Black Edition stands out as a solid buy for its price and performance profile.