PNY Verto GeForce 8600 GTS (PCI-e, 256MB)

Description: The PNY Verto GeForce 8600 GTS is a 256 MB, mainstream 3D card.Compared to other mainstream 3D display cards on the market, it is midpriced at around $150.

Pros: Has a 2 GHz memory clock speed.This is faster than the average graphics card on the market today, but is to be expected for a graphics card of this price.

Cons: Has only 256 MB RAM, which is less than some similarly priced display cards.

Suitability: Suited for all productivity tasks, as well as for the casual 3D gamer.This card supports DirectX 10 technology, used in Microsoft's Windows Vista OS, and is the new technology for the upcoming generation of high-performance games.

Value: In general, this graphics card's features are as expected for this price.Also, if you were to judge strictly by the card's chipset you could expect to pay as much as 20% less for a similarly capable card.Also, mainstream 3D adapters having similar features and memory have an average cost of about $125.

Suggestions: (1) Since this card is DVI-capable, you might want a DVI-enabled monitor or a flat-panel display to connect with it -- this will pass the digital video signal directly without converting it to analog, making for better performance.(2) CNET's graphics and sound content can help you decide if this card is the right purchase to make.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: PNY Technologies Inc.
• Part Number: VCG86GTSXPB

• General

• Device Type Graphics adapter
• Enclosure Type Plug-in card
• Vista Capability This is a modern graphics card capable of running all the new features in Windows Vista, including the upcoming DirectX 10.
• Interface Type PCI Express x16

• Processor / Memory

• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
• Core Clock Speed 675 MHz
• Graphics Card Performance This card is compatible with the new rendering features of DirectX 10, which is featured in the Windows Vista operating system.
• RAMDAC Clock Speed 400 MHz
• Video Memory Installed 256 MB
• Technology GDDR3 SDRAM 128-bit
• Memory Clock Speed 2 GHz
• Features Nvidia SLI Multi-GPU Technology, Nvidia Quantum Effects Technology

• Video Input

• Type None

• Video Output

• Max Resolution (external) 2560 x 1600
• API Supported DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.0
• Max Monitors Supported 2
• TV Interface HDTV out
• Analog Video Format S-Video
• Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
• HDCP compatible Yes

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Interfaces 2 x DVI-I (dual link) - 29 pin combined DVI, 2 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x S-video output, 1 x HDTV output
• Compatible Slots 1 x PCI Express x16

• Miscellaneous

• Included Accessories HDTV Break-out Pod
• Cables Included 2 x DVI-VGA adapter, 1 x S-Video cable, 1 x HDTV adapter
• Microsoft Certifications Built for Windows Vista

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

• Software / System Requirements

• Software Included Drivers & Utilities
• OS Required Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000
• Recommended Power Supply 350 Watt
• Peripheral / Interface Devices CD-ROM, VGA monitor
• System Requirements Details Pentium - RAM 512 MB - HD 50 MB

PNY Technologies Inc.

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.pny.com/
• Address: 299 Webro Rd., Parsippany, NJ.
• Phone: 973-515-9700
• Email: webmaster@pny.com
• Fax: 973-560-5590