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Graphics cards

Asus EAH2900XT   [Computer Buyer]
COMPANY: Asus PRICE: £255inc VAT  
RATING: ISSUE: 202  DATE: Jan 08
   
Verdict: Quick, but not so clever. Newer cards offer better scope and value.

The 2900XT is currently ATI's fastest graphics chipset, though that's bound to change soon. This long dual slot card will take up acres of space inside your PC, if you have enough room to accommodate it at all. It also requires two PCI-Express 6-pin power connectors to run, so you'll need to make sure your

 
 
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PSU is up to the task, and don't forget to check the overall wattage too.

Performance in our gaming tests was impressive, though not outstandingly so, taking into account the results we'd seen from the much ccheaper HD3850 and 8800GT. The EAH2900XT recorded blistering scores in our Call of Duty 2 and Prey tests, and will run games like these smoothly at even the highest resolutions. And its Call of Juarez score was the highest of any card here, so future DirectX 10 games shouldn't pose a problem - though when we say 'future', we're only talking about the next year or two, of course.

The 2900XT is an older design than any of the other ATI cards here. Because of this, it lacks the Unified Video Decoder present in the newer cards, so your PC's processor will have to work harder to play HD video. The 2900XT is still a fast graphics card, but it's not good value at this price.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Chipset: ATI Radeon HD2900XT
Memory: 512MB DDR3
Outputs: 2x DVI, S-video, composite, component
Features: 4/5
Performance: 5/5
Value: 2/5
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