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Asus EN7600GT graphics card
One of the first Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT-based cards out the door
Unfortunately, we didn't have an X1800 GTO to hand so we were unable to compare it with the 7600 GT. However, we did have a Sapphire X1800 XL, and the ATI card was a comfortable winner. We have no problem believing that the X1800 GTO and the 7600 GT will have very similar performance. However, the X1800 GTO costs £30 more than the 7600 GT and is only £10 cheaper than basic versions of the X1800 XL. So if you're going down this route we suggest that you ignore the GTO and plump for the XL. Once you break the £200 barrier you're approaching the point where you can consider a GeForce 7900 GT, which means that you'll have a completely different decision to make.
Getting back to the Asus EN7600 GT, we had mixed views. The performance of the card is very good at this price poin. The inclusion of the King Kong game is welcome. The only other goody in the box is an HDTV Component cable so the value-for-money decision comes down in favour of Asus, but only just. Our biggest complaint about the card is the noise of the fan.
We said: "THE NOISE OF THE FAN."
No doubt another manufacturer will come up with a quieter version, in which case we'll be very happy indeed.
Verdict
Nvidia's new GeForce 7600 GT is an incredibly impressive mid-range graphics chip. Asus hasn't done much with its version, the EN7600GT, apart from re-badging a reference card and bundling a copy of King Kong but heck, what else do you want? ®