ATI Radeon 9550 (AGP 8x, 256MB)

Description: The ATI Radeon 9550 is a 256 MB, mainstream 3D card.Compared to other mainstream 3D display cards on the market, it is very inexpensive at around $55.

Pros: None noted, given available product data.

Cons: Has only an ATI Radeon 9550 chipset, which is less advanced than some similarly priced display cards.For example, the PNY Verto GeForce 8400 GS, a 256 MB graphics card at around $55, is built around a nVidia GeForce 8400 GS chipset.Also, this graphics card only has an AGP 8x interface, which is slower than some similarly priced display cards.

Suitability: A mainstream 3D graphics card, suited for the casual gamer, and those who do not need the latest 3D card on the market.This card supports DirectX 9 technology, which is still the standard for those who want to play games with advanced 3D-rendering techniques, but it does not support Vista's DirectX 10 standard.

Value: In general, this graphics card's features are as expected for this price.

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: ATI Technologies Inc.
• Part Number: 100-437116

• General

• Device Type Graphics adapter
• Enclosure Type Plug-in card
• Interface Type AGP 8x

• Processor / Memory

• Graphics Processor / Vendor ATI Radeon 9550
• RAMDAC Clock Speed 400 MHz
• Video Memory Installed 256 MB
• Technology DDR SDRAM

• Video Input

• Type None

• Video Output

• API Supported OpenGL, DirectX 9.0
• Max Monitors Supported 2
• TV Interface TV out
• Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Interfaces 1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x DVI-I - 29 pin combined DVI, 1 x TV-out
• Compatible Slots 1 x AGP

• Miscellaneous

• Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 3 years warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years

• Software / System Requirements

• Software Included Drivers & Utilities
• OS Required Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP
• Peripheral / Interface Devices CD-ROM
• System Requirements Details - RAM 128 MB

ATI Technologies Inc.

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.atitech.ca/
• Address: 33 Commerce Valley Dr. East
  Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 7N6, , .
• Phone: 905/882-2626
• Email: support@atitech.ca