Both Volari Duo processors employ XGI’s next generation TruShaderTM 2.1 Engine, takingvertex and pixel shading to a new level of realism. Combine this with built-in DirectX9 programmability and highly efficient pixel pipelines, 3D environments now come alive with cinematic realism and movie-studio caliber graphics. Advanced developers can take advantageof the Volari Duo processor’s fully programmable DirectX9 functions to deliver visual experiences never before seen on the PC.

Volari V8 processors feature XGI’s legendary Cipherª video processor. Leveraging this advanced de-interlacing technology means video files play with a smooth, flicker-free and fluid motion that amazes even industry professionals. And unlike competing video processors, the CipherTM video processor converts both incoming and outgoing video feeds, ensuring that all your videos are displayed with the highest possible on-screen quality.

A Closer Look:

The Volari V8 is very compatible with market released games offering best performance/cost ratio in mainstream segment. With an MSRP of $99.99 USD for the 256MB version, this has to be one of most cost effective cards for those stretching their pennies.

The images above provide a closer look on the XGI Volari V8 that we have in our hands. The card features a full height blue colored PCB. The GPU is covered by a large aluminium heatsink, which is actually also covering half of the memory chips but does not touch the memory. The HSF was not meant to cool only half the ram, it's just added material to increase the cooling capacity of the GPU. On the heatsink we find a 50mm cooler that will move the air away from the heatsink to cool down the GPU.

We can clearly spot the memory chips which are not covered by the heatsink. Again the HSF was not meant to cool the memory, the HSF's extra material is to aid in GPU cooling. In the picture to the lower right we can see a hint of the 4-pin power connector.

On the other side of the card, on the opposite side of the memory chips we discover the SIS 301 chip. The SIS 301 chip is a video bridge, which contributes a number of additional features to the already existing ones. Among those are: Second monitor, LCD-panels and PAL/NTSC TV-outstandards support. The SIS 301 allows assembling a fully fledged dual monitor system supportingdifferent work modes, such as independent info display, larger desktop on two monitors or image mirroring on the second monitor.

Let's inspect the memory chips, these are Samsung 4.0ns memory modules that can reach 250MHz and work at 2.5V according to the Samsung memory specifications. On older Volari V8 cards these still had Hynix memory rated at 5.0ns or around 200MHz. However there is a revision of the Volari V8 is equipped with Hynix 3.5ns (300MHz).

The Volari V8 is providing a DVI, TV-out, and 15-pin VGA connection. The card is dual display capable, and can output to television either in composite, S-Video or RGB component video formats.

Yeah, turn the card around and let's see what we can find there. Well I hate to disappoint you but there is not much to be found at the back of the card except some minor components. The blueish PCB gives it a nice touch...

If we take a side view of the card then I am really surprised that the card is actually very thin. With that I mean that the heatsink is really low profile and will not interfere with any cards in the adjacent PCI slots.