Usually when you move to a new Microsoft operating system a few tweaks are required of your computer to get the most out of it. With Microsoft Windows Vista, you may need to buy a whole new computer if your existing hardware is too old. For most of us, a new video card and a top of system memory are the most common upgrades. Luckily video card manufacturers have recognized the need for a low cost DirectX 9.0c video card with a lot of memory for the express purpose of making computers Windows Vista ready. Cost and functionality are the key points here. If you need an inexpensive DirectX 9.0c compatible video card, then PowerColor has what you are looking for. - PCStats

PowerColor Radeon X1550 512MB Video Card Review

Its Radeon X1550 is a simple PCI Express graphics card with 512MB of DDR2 onboard memory. The PowerColor Radeon X1550 512MB video card supports dual DVI monitors through its two DVI outputs, and TV output via a dongle. With a retail price of $99, it is quite affordable. At first glance the PowerColor Radeon X1550 accelerator is quite plain and refreshingly smaller than many other graphics cards. Since the PowerColor Radeon X1550 512MB card does not generate a lot of heat and the Radeon X1550 GPU can be cooled with a small aluminum heatsink.

PowerColor has a special version of its Radeon X1550 512MB with a Silent Cooling System but I have to say the regular Radeon X1550 512MB video card is already pretty darn quiet. The 512MB of DDR2 memory does get warm to the touch, but nothing too alarming so it's okay to keep the memory naked. The ATI Radeon X1550 GPU is based on the RV515 core and is built on 80 nanometer manufacturing technology. The core speed has been increased to 600MHz and the DDR2 memory comes clocked at 800MHz no matter if you have a 256MB or 512MB version.

The PowerColor Radeon X1550 512MB card performed exactly as expected. If you play the occasional game at lower resolutions with minimal to medium details, frame rates are half decent. Higher gaming resolutions are too much for this small video card. PowerColor does a decent job with the Radeon X1550 512MB if you remember to keep in mind its intended audience. It's not a super duper gaming video card but then again it's not meant to be, rather it's designed for someone who wants to bring their machine up to Windows Vista capabilities without spending a lot of money. PowerColor offers just that.