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ATI X800 XL Shootout
[Abstract]
High End Value for the DollarWhen ATI upgraded their RADEON X800 series of graphics card last December with the introduction of the RADEON X850 series, most of the attention was focused on the ...
[Content] PCDigitalMobileGame
MSI RX800 XL-VT2D256E
MSI has equipped its RX800 XL-VT2D256E with the most number of features found in our X800 XL roundup. While the rest of the vendors followed the standard design, MSI has chosen to include an extra DVI-I connector (hence the '2D' in the model name) in place of the more common VGA output, allowing the use of dual LCD monitors equipped with DVI. This is good news for those who already possess such monitors and an indication that the days of those bulky CRTs are truly numbered. Don't panic if you are still using a non-DVI monitor. As is the standard among graphics card offerings, there is a DVI-to-VGA adaptor in the package. Another noteworthy feature found on the MSI RX800 XL-VT2D256E is the video capturing capability (VIVO) enabled by the addition of an ATI Rage Theatre ASIC.
MSI's RX800 XL-VT2D256E comes with a carrying handle, a must-have given its large box. |
Unlike most of its rivals, the MSI card comes with dual DVI-I connectors. |
Not many X800 XL cards have an onboard ATI Rage Theatre ASIC (for video capturing) but this is found on the RX800 XL-VT2D256E. |
This SiliconImage TMDS transmitter is what powers the additional DVI-I connector. |
MSI has also opted for a more expensive copper heatsink. The superior heat conductivity of copper allows them to pair the heatsink with a slower and hence quieter fan. Although the cooler comes close to covering the Samsung 2.0ns memory, there is no contact and therefore they are not actively cooled. Even with the copper heatsink, the VPU of the RX800 XL-VT2D256E performed miserably in our overclocking tests though we had better luck with overclocking the memory.
An impressive collection of software is found in the package. |
MSI has rarely disappointed us with its bundle and yet again, they have the best software bundle among all the cards. Three decent games, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, XIII and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, along with the usual MSI proprietary utilities and tools and useful third party applications like Norton Antivirus and FarStone RestoreIT Professional were found. Taken together with its additional features like VIVO, the software and cables accessories, these elevate the MSI RX800 XL-VT2D256E from an ordinary X800 XL offering to a comprehensive, premium package. The entire extensive list of items is detailed below:
DVI-to-VGA adaptor
S-Video extension cable
9-pin mini-DIN to HDTV / S-Video/ Composite dongle
MSI Quick Installation Guide
MSI Quick User's Guide
FarStone VirtualDrive Professional
FarStone RestoreIT Professional
Star DVD Family (including StarCinema, Star2Go, StarProducer)
MSI Utilities (Live Update 3, GoodMEM, LockBox, WMInfo, SecureDoc)
E-Color 3Deep
MediaRing
ShowShift
Norton Antivirus
ThinSoft Be Twin
XIII
Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
A final look at the MSI RX800 XL-VT2D256E. |
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