Labs

Like the 7300 LE, the 7300 GS is interesting yet ultimately disappointing. The core clock is 550MHz, with 256MB of DDR2 memory clocked at 405MHz. But gaming isn't an option unless you're willing to play at 800 x 600 or lower. We achieved 18fps and 16fps in Call of Duty 2 and Far Cry respectively at 1,024 x 768 - only a few frames per second faster than the 7300 LE.

The

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7300 series boasts Nvidia's TurboCache technology, so if your PC has enough system memory the GS (like the LE) borrows 256MB and effectively becomes a 512MB card - the situation with our test rig. Install it into a PC with 512MB of RAM, and TurboCache is effectively disabled.

Of course, like the slower LE, the GS has more appeal if you're building a small-form-factor or media centre. Again, this MSI card is a low-profile affair, but with a full-height backplate and a fan on the heatsink. With PureVideo support, it's a cost-effective way of playing HD video without needing a beefy CPU. Backplate connectors comprise a single-link DVI and D-SUB output. S-Video is also offered and there's the same bundle as the 7300 LE.

At £50, the 7300 GS is reasonable value. Ultimately, no-one will buy this or the 7300 LE for their 3D performance, so either go for the cheapest you can find or opt for the passively cooled Gigabyte, for a quieter PC.