XFX 8800GT Alpha Dog XXX 512MB Get our reviews RSS feed here  |
|||
 |
Author: Whoopty | ||
| Posted: 15:06, December 4th 2007 | |||
| Link: http://www.xfxforce.com | |||
| Score: 9 out of 10 [?] | |||
| Price: £205 | |||
| < previous<< first |
The 8800GT Alpha Dog Continued
Under the Hood
To get a look at the core of this pup you need to remove the 12 screws on its rear and then slowly pull the cooler away from the base; not forgetting to remove the 4pin fan power plug.
The underside of the cooler is aluminium - including the RAM sinks - with a copper core.
 "Cooler Underside")
Click to enlarge
Oddly, the core of the cooler appears to have several small scratches in it. Hopefully this won't affect the card's temperatures too badly.
 "Copper Core")
Click to enlarge
THey don't stop the core being reflective though.
 "Copper Core 2")
Click to enlarge
The actual G92 chip is much smaller than the G80 chips we've seen on GTX's we've tested, but it's still not exactly small.
NB: To view a G80 chip, scroll down to the bottom of this page.
 "G92 Chip")
Click to enlarge
The RAM chips used at Quimonda. After having cleaned off the nasty heat pad residue, we got a look at them too.
 "DDR3 Chips")
Click to enlarge
The Rest...
At the back of the 8800 there are two white DVI connectors and a single SVideo connector.
 "DVI Connectors")
Click to enlarge
Near the "back", but on another edge is a single SLI Bridge connector. This allows the user to place this card in an SLI configuation should they so wish. However, because there is only one slot, it does mean that there is no chance of having this card in a Tri-SLI setup in the future, should the drivers become available.
 "SLI Bridge Connector")
Click to enlarge
At the other end, is a single 6pin power connector. This is one less than a GTX or Ultra needs and is a good indicator of the relaxed power needs of this card due to the die shrink.
 "6pin PCIE Power")
Click to enlarge
Installation
Installing the 8800GT was a piece of cake and most users should have no issues at all. On our board the RAM slots were a bit close to the card, but that's a motherboard placement issue as apposed to a fault with the Alpha Dog.
Because of the single slot cooler the card doesn't overlap any other slots on the board and due to it's decreased length, there's no need to remove hard drive cages just to get it to fit as it doesn't extend beyond the motherboard.
 "Installed")
Click to enlarge
Buy now
| < previous<< first |
Related reviews
Although PNY might not be the general port of call for enthusiasts when it comes to upgrading their ...
Having recently reviewed 2600XT from Sapphire and finding it an excellent budget solution, I ...
Nvidia's latest G84 and G86 cards are doing the rounds on review sites at the moment, and because ...