Gigabyte FX5950 Ultra GV-N595U-GT Videocard Review
Unsure of what exactly to expect from the
Gigabyte's FX5950 Ultra "GT" version, this should be quite a treat for us...
After all, the Gigabyte GV-N595U-GT videocard is based on Nvidia's current
power-house GPU clocked at 520MHz. While the heatsink on this puppy takes up two full slots,
you can be assured it's not there to cool the digital equivalent of a 'Ford
GEO.'
Yet, other than that nice looking blue PCB this
card is virtually identical to the Gigabyte GV-N595U that PCstats reviewed in early
January, also an FX5950 Ultra videocard. As you can plainly see, Gigabyte are
still using the same reference GPU/memory cooling system, and all the same
capacitors, resistors, and ICs, so what is it that makes this videocard worthy
of the "GT" model name over that of the regular one?
Well, read carefully and well tell you. But first,
let's see what Gigabyte
are offering the consumer who decides to jump onboard the GV-N595U-GT bandwagon.
The company includes three full version games; Tomb Raider TAOD, Rainbow Six 3
Raven Shield and Arx Fatalis.
If you're a DVD-watcher at heart, you'll find the
free copy of PowerDVD 5 also pretty handy. Since the GV-N595U-GT card is also
fully VIVO compatible it helps to have a VIVO break-out box to connect S-video
and other cables to. One is rightfully included, as is a DVI-to-Analog converter
in the event you wish to connect two CRT monitors to this videocard and "dual
screen" your desktop.
The reference design cooling system will
keep things running in spec by pulling in cold air from outside the PC case and
exhausting warm air into the chassis. It helps to make certain that you have
sufficient exhaust fans in your case if you are using a videocard like
this.
If your case is air-tight the cooling fan will end
up pressurizing your case, and that could cause a little overheating problem.
The GPU fan is noticeability louder than other GeForceFX 5950 Ultra's we've
tested, especially in 3D mode, but it's tolerable for the most part. I doubt
you'll notice the card's cooling fan much with it in an enclosed case.