MSI FX5900XT-VTD128 Videocard Review The GeForceFX 5900XT GPU has basically been equipped with some slower memory, and priced it at about half of what a regular GeForceFX 5900 goes for.  87% Rating:    Table of Contents Filed under: Video Cards Published:  Author:  External Mfg. Website: MSI Feb 11 2004   C. Sun   Home > Reviews > Video Cards > MSI FX5900XT-VTD128

MSI uses the "TOP Tech" cooling solution on the FX5900XT-VTD128 which is supposed to keep the NV35 GPU up to eight degrees cooler than the reference cooling solution, all the while producing just 26dB worth of noise. While cannot confirm temperatures, we did notice the card was nearly silent in the 3D benchmarks.

The only way we could hear the videocard was if we put our ear right next to fan, and even then it was very faint. One thing I noticed was, the FX5900XT-VTD128 did not have native hardware monitoring within the Forceware 53.03 drivers, too bad it's a very handy feature.

Unlike the GeForceFX 5700 Ultra class videocards which use DDR2 memory, the FX5900XT-VTD128 uses more affordable Samsung DDR RAM modules (eight 128Mbit 2.8ns, marked K4D263238E-GC2A). The memory is actually the same as that found on most ATi Radeon 9600/9700/9800 based videocards.

Those of you who use dual monitors will be happy to hear that there is a DVI to analog converter included in the FX5900XT-VTD128's package. We were a bit surprised to see that the S-Video and Composite cables were not included. MSI are usually very good at including all the necessities, and I'm sure this is just a one off. Their website says those cables should be included. Next the overclocking results!

Overclocking the Card

When we first started to play with the MSI FX5900XT-VTD128 we found the core was clocked at 400 MHz, which is the same speed as the regular GeForceFX 5900!

Starting at 400 MHz, I immediately increased the core speed to 450 MHz which is the default clock of the GeForceFX 5900 Ultra. Not surprisingly, the FX5900XT-VTD128 had no problem with that. Next we pushed it to 475 MHz, or stock speed for the GeForceFX 5950 Ultra....

Again this little red card didn't have a problem hitting that mark, not bad at all! After we raised the core speed a few MHz at a time, we finally maxed it out at a very respectable speed of 504 MHz!

Memory Overclocking

Next up was the memory. The memory was already clocked at its theoretical max speed (1000 MHz / 2.8ns x 2 = 714 MHz). I was pretty sure the memory would be good to 760-780 MHz, after all that's what most ATi Radeon 9700/9800 Pro memory mixes out at. Fortunately for us, the memory was up to our overclocking challenge.

Starting at 700 MHz we slowly raised the memory frequency in 5 MHz intervals. Amazingly the card didn't let up, and we ended up hitting a nice high of 809 MHz! I think heat may have been limiting our overclocking as the Samsung DDR BGA memory was measured at approx 57 degrees Celsius with an Omega OS643E-LS Infrared digital thermometer.

I'm happy to say that both the core and memory played nicely together, and as you'll see in the upcoming benchmarks the FX5900XT-VTD128 running at 504 MHz and 809 MHz respectfully really does improve performance!

PCStats Test System Specs:

processor: intel pentium 4 3.0c clock speed: 15 x 200 mhz = 3.0 ghz motherboards: gigabyte 8knxp, i875p videocard: ati radeon 9800xt ati radeon 9800 pro ati radeon 9700 pro asus radeon 9600xt gigabyte radeon 9600 pro msi fx5950 ultra-vtd256 msi fx5900u-vtd256 gigabyte gv-nv57u128d msi fx5900xt-vtd128 memory: 2x 256mb corsair twinx 3200ll hard drive: 40gb wd special ed cdrom: nec 52x cd-rom powersupply: vantec stealth 470w software setup windowsxp build 2600 intel inf 5.02.1012 catalyst 3.9 detonator 53.03 workstation benchmarks 3dmark2001se codecreatures aquamark aquamark3 gun metal 2 x2 the threat ut2003 aa test, af and aa+af test 3dmark2001se x2 the threat ut2003

benchmarks and 3dmark03

we've been a supporter of FutureMark since the days of 3DMark99, but for the time being we have stopped including 3DMark03 in Videocard benchmark suite. It has become clear that recent events have cast so much doubt in the legitimacy of 3DMark03 results that it no longer serves much reference value to our readers. We are aware of FutureMark's Approved Drivers list, but they can be somewhat limiting if newer WHQL drivers are available on the web. If the situation changes we will re-evaluate our position, and reintroduce the benchmark as decided. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by e-mail or speak your mind in the PCstats forums.

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Contents of Article: MSI FX5900XT-VTD128  Pg 1.  MSI FX5900XT-VTD128 Videocard Review  Pg 2.  — Overclocking Results  Pg 3.  Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, CodeCreatures  Pg 4.  Benchmark: AquaMark 2.3  Pg 5.  Benchmarks AquaMark3, Gun Metal 2  Pg 6.  Benchmarks: X2 The Threat, UT2003  Pg 7.  Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, X2 The Threat, UT2003 w/AA  Pg 8.  Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, X2 The Threat, UT2003 w/AF  Pg 9.  Benchmarks: 3DMark2001, X2 The Threat, UT2003 w/AA+AF