ASUS seem to be getting pretty serious in the overclocking department, when we saw the release of the TOP series a short while back they were few and far between. These days though, just about any decent model worth overclocking now carries a TOP version. The latest addition to the TOP line-up is the GeForce 8800 GT and it's an interesting one because the GeForce 8800 GT packs some serious punch as it is, and it will be interesting to see how the card fairs against the stock model ASUS GeForce 8800 GTS model. In the end both cards feature the G92, although somehow crippled on the GeForce 8800 GT version though not as spectacular as with the previous GeForce 8 series. - TweakTown

ASUS Extreme N8800 GT TOP 512MB Version Review

The front of the box carries the same Company of Heroes theme we saw on the standard clocked GeForce 8800 GT from ASUS. The main differences include the graph showing the difference between a stock clocked model and the TOP model along with the TOP logo being used between the 512MB of GDDR3 memory and PCI Express 2.0 logo. We can also of course see the TOP name again used across the bottom of the box. Turning the box over we again see mention of the word TOP, and there is just the standard run down on features the card offers along with some of the exclusive features ASUS owners get.

The whole package isn't bad, the inclusion of Company of Heroes is nice and it's more than we saw in the package for the TOP version of the GeForce 8800 GTS. Our biggest problem though is that like the GTS it's impossible to tell the cards apart, and there's nothing extra bundled with the TOP cards. With that said though, you do get a pretty high clocked card and that's ultimately the most important thing. The TOP is the highest clocked GeForce 8800 GT we have had in our hands. The core has been bumped again to a healthy 700MHz, and the memory has also gone up to an extremely attractive looking 2000MHz effective.

ASUS don't just seem to be just slapping the TOP naming scheme onto any card with some form of overclock, they really seem to be using the name only when they have found a really TOP overclock. What will be interesting is the price, the TOP should come in between $40-80 cheaper than the GeForce 8800 GTS, but about $50 more than a stock clocked GeForce 8800 GT. Only you are able to decide if you're willing to pay the extra for it over a stock clocked model. So far all the cards we have seen have had no drama hitting 700MHz core. But in this case you also get 3 year warranty at that speed.

Now, you could say that in this case the ASUS doesn't really offer very good value with this card, but if you don't want to overclock manually or simply like the game bundled with this card as opposed to others, the value is quickly seen. The GeForce 8800 GT TOP from ASUS is going to be a popular product for a few reasons. It's able to outperform the newer and more expensive GTS when it's clocked at its overclocked speed. The bundle is good, even better than what we have in the ASUS Extreme N8800 GTS 512MB which doesn't come with any game at all. Finally, the card is just kick ass and doesn't break the bank.