XFX GeForce 8600GT 256 Mb DDR3 PVT84JUDD3

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Model
Brand XFX
Model PVT84JUDD3
Interface
Interface PCI Express x16
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU GeForce 8600GT
Core clock 620MHz
Memory
Memory Clock 1600MHz
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3
3D API
DirectX DirectX 10
OpenGL OpenGL 2.0
Ports
DVI 2
TV-Out HDTV Out
VIVO No
General
Tuner None
RAMDAC 400 MHz
Max Resolution 2560 x 1600
RoHS Compliant Yes
SLI Supported Yes
Cooler With Fan
Dual-Link DVI Supported Yes
Features
Features Full Microsoft DirectX 10 Support
NVIDIA Lumenex Engine
Packaging
Package Contents PVT84JUDD3
Driver Disk
User Manual
S-Video Cable
DVI to VGA/D-sub Adapter

Review
The reason I make this review is for those of us who would like DirectX 10 capable graphic while short in budget or refuse to pay for an 8800 series card at its current high prices. I understand that these two card are in different classes and that, is the point. If you are considering making this change from a nVidia 7950 to an 8600 GT simply to have DirectX 10 you may want to reconsider. You WILL sacrifice in overall performance. Also keep in mind that your processor and RAM will drastically effect any video card. Most DirectX 10 games coming out in near future will rely more on dual core processor and 2 Gb of RAM for use in high graphics settings. In my opinion, wait until you can afford what you really want/need. But if you come from ultra low end graphic cards and need significant improvement in graphic performance, 8600 GT is the one of the best solution out there.

This card was incredibly easy to install. I downloaded latest drivers from the XFX website (the disc was an older version of drivers), then uninstall old graphic card drivers in add/remove hardware, shut down, pull the old card, add new card, startup, point manually to new drivers. Total Time=15-20 minutess! This card is VERY quiet... even though I came from a passive (no fan) video setup GF7300, the fan on this is SUPER quiet... I can barely hear it. I even had to verify visually if the fan is really even moving, it really quiet! I try Battlefield 2142 with most settings on High which yield 60-70 fps at 1024x768 and at 40-50 FPS at 1280x1024 (using +szx 1280 +szy 1024).