Test Rig:

Here we are using our trusty but obsolete Intel i865PE test rig to get a general idea of 3D performance using some popular games titles. While this is a aging system it is a power house over clocker capable of 3.4GHz and it's our only AGP test bed. We will also run some Windows applications and other benchmark utilities. First off, let's check out the hardware we are working with.

• Genuine Intel 2.80GHz (2.8c) S478 Northwood
• ZALMAN CNPS7000-Cu CPU Cooler
• MSI 865PE NEO2
• 1024MB Corsair XMS Pro DDR400 2-2-2-5
• 1 x 120GB Maxtor DiamondMax9 SATA
• 430 Watt Antec True Power PSU
• Sony 52x24x52 CDRW
• Thermaltake Soprano Mid-Tower case
• Hayes Compatible V.90 56K Fax/Modem
• Trinitron P991 19" Monitor
• Windows XP SP2

The installation into this rig was very fast and convenient, once I installed the card I added the external 4-pin molex power connector to the V8 and double checked the agp port to make sure the card was flat even and was properly seated.

A quick clear of the cmos was done to ensure we would get video on the next boot up, now that I double checked all the connections and hooked the monitor in place I grabbed the two shots below, lets take a look.

The PCI just below the Volari V8 is accessible and will allow a card to be installed next to the video card slot. Having been said this is a true single slot design, however who would wan't to stuff another card right next to there video card cooling system? Not I.

Here is the typical I/O configuration for installing the Volari V8 connections. The board supports DVI, VGA and TV Output for user convenience. Our configuration will utilize a 19" CRT monitor, therefore we will connect our monitor to the VGA ouput as shown below. If you are going to use a LCD monitor then you would use the DVI output. The card can also run on a television with the included cables as show in the middle configuration. (TV output).

This is the done deal and now we are going to energize the power supply unit and put power to the system and boot this puppy up. Now we will go install the drivers and check out the user's guide and get a heads up on what to expect when tweaking the driver configuration from the display properties.