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Top 10 Mainstream Graphics Boards

These are the top mainstream graphics cards today, but ratings and rankings can change quickly due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.

Edited by Danny Allen

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PCW Rating: 80.7PCW Rating: 80.7PCW Rating: 80.7

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

 BEST BUY!

1. Asus EN8600GTS Silent

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: This inexpensive, silently cooled version of Asus' EN8600GTS edged out its counterpart and most of the field in every test.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $179 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.5PCW Rating: 79.5PCW Rating: 79.5

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

2. EVGA e-GeForce 8800GTS Superclocked

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 320, Performance Word Score: Superior,

Bottom Line: Pricey factory overclocked card delivers superior performance but can get quite warm under load.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $290 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

3. Gigabyte GeForce 8600GTS (GA-NX86S256H)

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: Silently cooled card provides good performance and ships with a full copy of the game Supreme Commander.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $199 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.1PCW Rating: 79.1PCW Rating: 79.1

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

4. Asus EN8600GTS

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: This average board, in terms of both price and performance, includes a full copy of the game STALKER: Shadows of Chernobyl.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $199 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 78.2PCW Rating: 78.2PCW Rating: 78.2

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

5. Asus EN8600GT OC Gear

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GT, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Fair,

Bottom Line: This board's lackluster speed can be boosted via a bundled hardware controller that you install in a PC's 5.25-inch bay.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $169 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 76.1PCW Rating: 76.1PCW Rating: 76.1

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

6. EVGA e-GeForce 8600GTS

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 512, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: This no frills card provides good performance at an average price.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $200 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 73.9PCW Rating: 73.9PCW Rating: 73.9

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

7. Zogis GeForce 8600GTS

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: Budget-oriented board provides good performance and output options.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $190 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 72.6PCW Rating: 72.6PCW Rating: 72.6

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

8. BFG Technologies GeForce 8600 GTS OC

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: This factory overclocked board has good specs, but some less expensive boards perform faster.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $279 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 70.4PCW Rating: 70.4PCW Rating: 70.4

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

9. XFX GeForce 8600GT Fatality

Chip Set: nVidia GeForce 8600 GT, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Good,

Bottom Line: Good-looking board is inexpensive and silently cooled, but its heat fins could block a PCI slot in some PCs.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $160 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 69.9PCW Rating: 69.9PCW Rating: 69.9

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

10. PowerColor Radeon HD2600 XT

Chip Set: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT, Bus: PCI Express, TV Tuner: No, Installed RAM (MB): 256, Performance Word Score: Poor,

Bottom Line: Affordable card has HDMI output adapter capable of 5.1 channel sound, but its HD2600XT GPU can't match NVIDIA's 8600 GT chip.

Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $150 Check Latest Prices
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