![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Tuesday , April 17, 2007
- Author:
- Brent Justice
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
BFGTech and XFX GeForce 8600 GTS
NVIDIA’s DX10 answers to the mainstream video card market are finally here with new GeForce 8 series GPUs ranging from $89-$229. We have the BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC and the XFX GeForce 8600 GTS XXX we put to the test playing real games and the newest STALKER.
BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC
BFGTech is launching with retail availability today the GeForce 8600 GTS OC. As the name implies this is an “OC” model which means it is factory overclocked out of the box and fully under warranty. Standard frequencies on a GeForce 8600 GTS are 675 MHz for the core, 1.45 GHz for the stream processors and 2 GHz for the memory.
The BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC is clocked at 710 MHz for the core but still the reference clock speed of 2 GHz for the memory. That gives us a 35 MHz core frequency speed bump for free. This should improve shader performance, but we will still have the standard memory bandwidth of 32 GB/sec since that is not overclocked.
BFGTech provides a windowed box so that you can see exactly what is in the box sitting on the shelf. The front of the box covers most of the important points such as what connectors are included, the 24/7 tech support and lifetime warranty and what bus type this video card uses. The only remaining piece of information we’d recommend is a DirectX 10 logo on the front to indicate to people who are not in the know that this video card does support DirectX 10. It is listed on the back of the box, but on the front it would capture people browsing down isles just looking at the front of the box.
Due to this being an “OC” model BFGTech’s system requirements state a 375W power supply instead of 350W for the standard 8600 GTS. This video card is fully HDCP capable and supports SLI.
The BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC is a single-slot video card with a simple heatsink and fan cooling device. A single 6-pin auxiliary power connector is required for operation. You can also use a 6-pin to Molex adapter which requires two Molex power connectors.
The video card itself is tiny compared to the GeForce 8800 GTX and small compared to the GeForce 8800 GTS. A GeForce 8800 GTX measures 10.5 inches in length, an 8800 GTS measures 9 inches in length, and the BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC measures 7.5 inches in length. The height is also much shorter, by a full inch. Weight is also much lighter with the BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC compared to an 8800 GTS.
The BFGTech GeForce 8600 GTS OC has two dual-link DVI ports capable of up to 2560x1600 with a digital LCD. The heatsink uses a combination of copper and aluminum. There is a copper plate on the bottom that comes into contact with the GPU, and then that transfers to aluminum where the fan pushes the heat away. Air intakes through the fan and exhausts toward the rear of the video card. All of the memory modules are on the front of the video card and they are actively cooled by the heatsink and fan combination. Inside the package you will find a driver CD, quick install guide, HDTV connector, two DVI to VGA adapters and an HDTV cable.