MaximumPC 2006 12

42 MAXIMUMPC DECEMBER 2006

XFX GeForce

7900 GTX XXX

Edition

We fi nd it diffi cult to

get excited about a

top-shelf Direct3D

9.0 videocard

this close to

the release of

Direct3D 10, but

we must give credit

where credit is due. XFX

delivers the best single-GPU card

for use in multi-card confi gs via Nvidia’s

GeForce 7900 GTX. While it’s true that the this

processor is getting a bit long in the tooth, and ATI’s

X1950 XTX is slightly faster on some benchmarks, we still

believe Nvidia’s SLI is a far superior solution to ATI’s CrossFire.

And with its XXX Edition, XFX pushes the 7900 GTX to the limit,

bumping the core clock speed to a blistering 700MHz and its

512MB of GDDR3 memory all the way to 900MHz.

(Reviewed August 2006) $392, http://www.xfxforce.com

ATI Radeon

X1950 Pro

We’re pretty stoked about ATI’s newest mid-

range card. The X1950 Pro not only delivers

36 pixel-shader units, eight vertex shaders,

and a quiet cooler for less than 200 smack-

ers, it also resolves many of our complaints

about ATI’s CrossFire dual-videocard solution

(no more external cable; no more master/slave

setup). It’s also the cheapest card we’ve seen

that supports analog video in, as well as out.

(Reviewed in this issue) $200, http://www.ati.com

Dell 2407WFP

We’re all about “performance at any cost,” but when we can score superior product

at a bargain price, we’re ecstatic. Which is why Dell’s 24-inch widescreen has us

doing cartwheels (metaphorically speaking). The 2407WFP offers solid performance

and damn-near every amenity: an ergo stand, interface options aplenty (including

four USB 2.0 ports), and a built-in media reader. All at a price that signifi cantly under-

cuts the competition.

(Reviewed September 2006) $800, http://www.dell.com

BEST MIDRANGE VIDEOCARD

BEST HIGH-END DUAL-CARD GRAPHICS

and a quiet cooler for less than 200 smack-

ers, it also resolves many of our complaints

about ATI’s CrossFire dual-videocard solution

(no more external cable; no more master/slave

setup). It’s also the cheapest card we’ve seen

that supports analog video in, as well as out.that supports analog video in, as well as out.

(Reviewed in this issue) $200, http://www.ati.com

ATI Radeon ATI Radeon

X1950 ProX1950 Pro

We’re pretty stoked about ATI’s newest mid-

range card. The X1950 Pro not only delivers

36 pixel-shader units, eight vertex shaders,

and a quiet cooler for less than 200 smack-

BEST MIDRANGE VIDEOCARDBEST MIDRANGE VIDEOCARD

ATI Radeon

X1950 ProX1950 Pro

We’re pretty stoked about ATI’s newest mid-

range card. The X1950 Pro not only delivers

36 pixel-shader units, eight vertex shaders,

and a quiet cooler for less than 200 smack-

ers, it also resolves many of our complaints

believe Nvidia’s SLI is a far superior solution to ATI’s CrossFire. believe Nvidia’s SLI is a far superior solution to ATI’s CrossFire.

XFX GeForce

7900 GTX XXX

We fi nd it diffi cult to

get excited about a

top-shelf Direct3D

Direct3D 10, but

we must give credit

where credit is due. XFX

delivers the best single-GPU card

for use in multi-card confi gs via Nvidia’s

GeForce 7900 GTX. While it’s true that the this

processor is getting a bit long in the tooth, and ATI’s

X1950 XTX is slightly faster on some benchmarks, we still

BEST HIGH-END DUAL-CARD GRAPHICS

XFX GeForce

7900 GTX XXX

We fi nd it diffi cult to

get excited about a

top-shelf Direct3D

we must give credit we must give credit

where credit is due. XFX where credit is due. XFX

delivers the best single-GPU card delivers the best single-GPU card

for use in multi-card confi gs via Nvidia’s for use in multi-card confi gs via Nvidia’s

GeForce 7900 GTX. While it’s true that the this GeForce 7900 GTX. While it’s true that the this

processor is getting a bit long in the tooth, and ATI’s processor is getting a bit long in the tooth, and ATI’s

X1950 XTX is slightly faster on some benchmarks, we still X1950 XTX is slightly faster on some benchmarks, we still

BEST HIGH-END DUAL-CARD GRAPHICS

EVGA

e-GeForce

7950 GX2

BEST LCD MONITOR

ATI’s X1950 XTX might be the fastest

single GPU on the scene, but there’s

no way it can compete with a video-

card equipped with a pair of Nvidia’s

7950 GX2 processors and a dual

512MB frame buffer.

And even though our opinion of

quad SLI is on par with our feelings

about CrossFire (both suck), the fact

remains that you don’t need a special

motherboard or core-logic chipset to

benefi t from Nvidia’s dual-GPU tech-

nology. Plus, all 7950 GX2 cards are

HDCP compliant, for everyone itchin’

to upgrade to a Blu-ray or HD-DVD

drive—surely someone is.

(Reviewed August 2006)

$495, http://www.evga.com

BEST HIGH-END

SINGLE-CARD

GRAPHICS

BEST HIGH-END

SINGLE-CARD

GRAPHICS

EVGA EVGA

e-GeForce e-GeForce

EVGA EVGA EVGA

BEST HIGH-END

SINGLE-CARD

GRAPHICS