Diamond Radeon HD 2900 XT (PCI-e, 512MB)

Description: The Diamond Radeon HD 2900 XT is a 512 MB, mainstream 3D card.Compared to other mainstream 3D display cards on the market, it is expensive at around $400.

Pros: Has a video capture adapter Input Type, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced display cards.This card has a video capture adapter, which allows you to view television on your TV or capture video content to your hard drive.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

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: Overall, this graphics card's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.

Suggestions: (1) This card has DVI-out to connect to similarly enabled flat panel or plasma monitors and produce a clearer picture than does analog-to-digital conversion.(2) In order to take full advantage of the TV-input feature of this card, you will want a large hard disk drive or a removable storage solution (digital video, even with a considerable amount of compression can still consume storage space quickly.)

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: Diamond Multimedia
• Part Number: 2900XT512PE

• General

• Device Type Graphics adapter
• Enclosure Type Plug-in card
• Vista Capability This is a modern video 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 ATI Radeon HD 2900XT
• Core Clock Speed 740 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 512 MB
• Technology GDDR3 SDRAM 512-bit
• Memory Clock Speed 1.65 GHz
• Features Avivo HD Technology, ATI CrossFire Technology

• Video Input

• Type Video capture adapter
• Digital Video Format HDTV

• Video Output

• Max Resolution (external) 2560 x 1600
• API Supported OpenGL, DirectX 10
• Max Monitors Supported 2
• TV Interface HDTV out / video in
• Analog Video Format Component video
• Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
• HDCP compatible Yes

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Interfaces 2 x DVI-I (dual link) - 29 pin combined DVI, 1 x HDTV output ( With adapter ), 1 x HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A ( With adapter ), 2 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ( With adapter ), 1 x VIVO ( With adapter )
• Compatible Slots 1 x PCI Express x16

• Miscellaneous

• Cables Included 2 x DVI-VGA adapter, 1 x HDTV adapter, 1 x VIVO adapter, 1 x HDMI-DVI adapter, 1 x CrossFire internal bridge
• Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista

• Software / System Requirements

• Software Included Drivers & Utilities
• OS Required Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP SP 2, Microsoft Windows Vista
• Peripheral / Interface Devices CD-ROM
• System Requirements Details Pentium 4 - RAM 512 MB

Diamond Multimedia

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.diamondmm.com/
• Address: 9650 De Soto Avenue., Chatsworth, CA. 91311