Specifications

ASUS nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS
$200 street
256MB GDDR3 memory, 128-bit interface
llllm
PROS Speedy for its price. Does a great job
on DirectX 9 games. Shreds Aero.
CONS Insuffi cient for DirectX 10 apps or
games. Huge heat sink for a single-width
card.
AMD ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro
$70 street
256MB DDR2 memory, 64-bit interface
llmmm
PROS Very cheap. Energy effi cient. Silent.
Runs Vista Aero (barely).
CONS Slow and weak in 3D apps and
gaming. Insuffi cient for DirectX 10 apps or
games. Limited amount of memory.
AMD ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro
$100 street
256MB DDR2 memory, 128-bit interface
lllmm
PROS Low wattage. Very quiet. Does a
decent job on Aero. Excellent video quality.
CONS Slow and weak in 3D apps and gam-
ing. Insuffi cient for DirectX 10 3D apps or
games. Not CrossFire-compatible.
ASUS nVidia GeForce 8600 GT
$150 street
256MB DDR2 memory, 128-bit interface
lllmm
PROS Generally decent benchmark test scores.
Quiet. Excellent Aero acceleration.
CONS Slow and weak in 3D apps and gaming.
Insuffi cient for DirectX 10 3D apps or games.
Compares poorly with last year’s high-end cards,
which now sell for a similar price.
NOVEMBER 6, 2007 PC MAGAZINE 97