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PowerColor Radeon X1600 PRO 512MB AGP Review |
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Written by Mavke
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Friday, 14 April 2006 |
Bjorn3D sheds some light on
the PowerColor Radeon X1600
PRO 512MB AGP graphics card. We've heard many positive and negative opinions
about PCI Express versus AGP, but this discussion is fading away as more people
are considering to upgrade. Sure a lot of motherboard vendors are still trying
to satisfy both, but in the end those solutions aren't exactly perfect
combinations of both. So what are AGP users left with? Usually last year GPU's
such as the Radeon X850 XT's or moddable Radeon X800 GTO's. Those cards are
still considered high-end boards only without Shader Model 3.0 support. ATI only offers Radeon X1600 while
NVIDIA gives you a choice of
either GeForce 7600 or 7800. Obviously the GeForce 7800 is the best
performer.
 PowerColor Radeon X1600 PRO 512MB AGP Review
As with every new generation of GPU's the feature set becomes larger and
more complex. The newly introduced Radeon X1K family of products is exactly what
we have here. Most importantly, the Radeon X1000 line now sports Shader Model
3.0 which has been available from NVIDIA for over a year now. The Radeon X1600 GPU is similarly
designed as the Radeon X1800, but with few important differences. It uses
128-bit memory bus and features different pipeline architecture. The biggest of
all changes is the introduction of what ATI calls Ultra-Threading Dispatch Processor and Ring Bus
technology.
The card came with standard Radeon X1600 PRO clocks that is
500MHz core and 400MHz (800 MHz DDR) memory. Along we've been given an updated
BIOS with higher core clock, namely 600MHz. So with the above in mind I started
benching the card. As usual I use 3DMark05 to test actual difference between
default and overclocked scores. I was able to push the memory beyond the Infineon specs reaching 430MHz
(860MHz DDR). It's not bad, but it's not marvelous either. Overall the
overclocked Radeon X1600 PRO from PowerColor gives 3860 marks compared to default
3539.
There is still need for AGP cards. A lot of my friends are using
older systems and don't think of migrating to PCI Express camp just yet. There
is a good reason for that since latest AGP boards still perform pretty well.
However, it's a pitty ATI hasn't
decided to use a bridge chip on one or two high-end cards like the Radeon X1800
or X1900. This is where NVIDIA
gets the kudos. They have a broader AGP line of products being served to its
customers. ATI fans have to live
with last year's high-end parts like Radeon X850 XT and Radeon X800
GTO.
As for our PowerColor Radeon X1600 PRO AGP model with 512 MB framebuffer
it's not up to Radeon X1600 XT toes, but it's not weak either. It's a good
solution if you don't want a Radeon X1300 and want to go with something
stronger. Performance wise it does its job, but I'm afraid more memory won't
necessarily help in most applications. There are other limiting factors that
come in to play such as low memory clocks, cut down shader engine, less vertex
pipelines or 128-bit bus. If you're upgrading this move will be well worth it,
especially in games where latest shader technology is used.
Related Articles
MSI Radeon X1600 PRO 256MB PCI-E Review
Sapphire Radeon X1600 PRO 256MB PCI-E Review
PowerColor Radeon X1600 XT Bravo Edition Review
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