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MSI Radeon RX800XT-VTD256E Videocard Review
MSI Radeon RX800XT-VTD256E Videocard Review - PCSTATS
Architecturally identical to the Radeon X800XT PE, the 16-pipeline Radeon X800XT core is clocked a whole 20 MHz slower than the Platinum Edition.
 77% Rating:   
Filed under: Video Cards Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: MSI Oct 22 2004   C. Sun  
Home > Reviews > Video Cards > MSI RX800XT-VTD256E

An excellent multimedia card!

These days it's pretty standard for a videocard to support TV-Output. With ATI's new support of the HDTV standard, we're now starting to see videocards based on the Radeon emerge with component output (y, Pb, Pr) instead of just the usually accompaniment of s-video and composite (RCA).

For comparisons sake we're going to show you the difference between traditional S-Video output of a computer desktop to a TV screen, and the higher quality component output. We're not going to go into all the detail of why component output is better, or what is supposed to be happening with HD TV, as that is beyond the scope of this review.

Suffice to say, below are two side by side screen captures which illustrate the potential of component output to an HDTV capable screen in place of the old videocard s-video output.

On the left is component output, on the right is S-Video. As you can clearly see the text and even image (look at the ATi logo) is much sharper and crisper because of the the use of the component output feature. Component is clearer, and the s-video equivalent is noticeably blurred.

Image Quality Comparison...

Image quality is one spot where ATi has really dominated nVIDIA the last couple of years, but with the release of the NV40, things are much closer. We're going to compare the AA and AF quality of the MSI RX800XT-VTD256E to an Albatron GeForce 6800GT. The fact that one card uses AGP, and the other PCI Express doesn't factor into IQ comparisons. To see an example, head on over to our recent review of the X800XT PE right here. Next, we'll tackle the overclockability of this MSI videocard!

Overclocking MSI's red beauty

Let's be frank here, the MSI RX800XT-VTD256E is already one of the most powerful videocards on the market, and it will easily run any game you throw at it. But, if you want to set some 3D speed records, you're going to have to overclock.

Seeing as how the Radeon X800XT core is clocked only 20 MHz slower than the X800XT PE, I immediately raised the core speed to 520 MHz. Without much surprise the MSI card had absolutely no problems running at that speed. It's like getting a free upgrade!

The overclocking seemed to hit the wall once we went past 526 MHz. Anything above that and the videocard would lock up the system. This is quite odd, since traditionally ATi cores start to artifact before they reach their maximum speeds.

Seeing as the RX800XT-VTD256E comes with Samsung K4J55323QF-GC20 (2ns) DDR3 DRAM, the memory is already clocked at 500 MHz (its theoretical maximum limit). Again, things just stopped working past 526 MHz - anything higher and 3D applications would simply lock up!

It's possible that ATi might be artificially limiting the overclocking speeds of the X800XT... but the company certainly isn't confirming or denying this. Anyhow, on with the benchmarks!

PCStats Test System Specs:
system 1 system 2
processor:

intel pentium 4 540

intel pentium 4 3.0c

clock speed: 16 x 200 mhz = 3.2 ghz 15 x 200 mhz = 3.0 ghz
motherboards:

gigabyte 8anxp-d, i925x

gigabyte 8knxp, i875p

videocard:

gigabyte gv-rx60x128v
gigabyte gv-nx57128d
msi pcx5750-td128
albatron trinity pc5900
msi rx800xt-vtd256e

ati radeon 9800xt
ati radeon 9800 pro
ati radeon 9700 pro
asus radeon 9600xt
msi fx5950 ultra-td128
msi fx5900u-vtd256
msi fx5900xt-vtd128
aopen geforcefx 5900xt
albatron geforce 6800gt
asus a800xt/tvd

memory:

2x 256mb crucial pc4300 ddr2

2x 256mb corsair twinx 3200ll

hard drive: 40gb wd special ed 40gb wd special ed
cdrom: msi x48 cd-rw/dvd-rom nec 52x cd-rom
powersupply: vantec stealth 470w vantec stealth 470w
software setup

windowsxp build 2600
intel inf 5.02.1012
forceware 61.77

windowsxp build 2600
intel inf 5.02.1012
catalyst 4.8
detonator 61.77

benchmarks

3dmark2001se
codecreatures
aquamark
aquamark3
x2 the threat
ut2003
doom 3

aa test, af and aa+af test
3dmark2001se
x2 the threat
ut2003

note: the agp and pci-e systems are different, but the results are being included for reference.gunmetal 2 benchmarks are not available for the geforce 6800 class videocards unfortunately. they would simply not run the benchmark.

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Contents of Article: MSI RX800XT-VTD256E
 Pg 1.  MSI Radeon RX800XT-VTD256E Videocard Review
 Pg 2.  — An excellent multimedia card!
 Pg 3.  Benchmarks: 3DMark 2001
 Pg 4.  Benchmarks: CodeCreatures
 Pg 5.  Benchmarks: AquaMark 2.3
 Pg 6.  Benchmarks: AquaMark 3, Gun Metal 2
 Pg 7.  Benchmarks: GunMetal2
 Pg 8.  Benchmarks: X2: The Threat, UT2003
 Pg 9.  Benchmarks: UT2003
 Pg 10.  Benchmarks: Doom 3
 Pg 11.  Advanced Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, X2: The Threat
 Pg 12.  Advanced Benchmarks: UT2003, Conclusions

 
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