A few weeks ago NVIDIA launched their first card in the GeForce 9 series. The card is based on the G94 core which is basically a cut-in-half version of the G92 from several GeForce 8800 GT models. Mainly the number of shaders has been halfed resulting in a configuration with 64 shaders instead of 128 like in the G92. This change results in a drastic reduction in the number of transistors which allows NVIDIA to use a smaller silicon footprint resulting in a cost reduction. The VVikoo GeForce 9600 GT board we have got today is based on the original GeForce 9600 GT design but has several changes to the PCB design, operating frequencies, display output configuration and thermal solution. - techPowerUp!

VVikoo GeForce 9600 GT 512MB Turbo Board Review

As one of the first GeForce 9600 GT models the card features not only two DVI outputs but also an HDMI output and the brand new DisplayPort. Another change is that you can feed in audio via optical Toslink. Other GeForce 9600 GT's only allow the electric version. The clock frequencies have been bumped to 700MHz core and 2000MHz memory, both in the middle spectrum of the factory overclock ranges available. VVikoo has changed their package design just recently. As you may remember the old package had a silvery character with a flying bee on it. The new package comes in a clear green, symbolizing the NVIDIA relation.

On the back you find some basic product information but important details like clock frequencies are missing. For a factory overclocked product we find it quite uncommon to not show the actual frequency of the product, as it's the main reason you are paying a price premium isn't it? In fact VVikoo has replaced the NVIDIA reference cooler with the Zalman VF1000 silent cooler. This causes the card to be dual slot, the reference board uses just a single slot. The card features two DVI outputs which can be used with digital flat panels for widescreen resolutions, as well as DisplayPort and HDMI connections.

This card is compatible with SLI and can be paired with any other GeForce 9600 GT card. The power connector on the back is required to supply power to the card. It is also required when running in PCI Express 2.0 mode, which would be able to supply all power over the bus. Like on all current NVIDIA cards, some high-end GDDR3 memory is used which carry the Samsung brand. Even though they have 1.0ns rated latency we saw a stable memory overclock of close to 2200MHz. During our overclocking we could reach 789MHz core and 2132MHz memory. Both are nice overclocks and boost the gaming performance.

An exact price has not been determined yet for the VVikoo GeForce 9600 GT Turbo, but expect about $20-30 more than a reference design card. Even though there are no major technical advancements in the G92 GPU, which powers the first member of the GeForce 9 family, the card is a great milestone when compared to the GeForce 8600 GT and/or GTS. Performance is doubled, yet the card runs neither twice as hot nor twice as loud. If this should really be called a GeForce 9 product is up to the reader to the decide. In the end it comes down to the fact that NVIDIA's decision is clear and makes sense in many ways.

Most other vendors selling GeForce 9600 GT cards, just increase the clocks or put a sticker on the fan. The rest is all NVIDIA reference design including PCB and cooler. VVikoo however has implemented a number of changes that will make this card an interesting product choice for many people. Instead of a single slot cooler, a Zalman VF-1000 dual slot cooling solution is used, offering much lower temperatures though at quite similar fan noise. The inclusion of native HDMI and DisplayPort output is a unique feature on the GeForce 9600 GT card so far. Not that many people will use it initially it sets your product apart.

Aside from an issue that we spotted regarding to the cooler's mounting, the card can improve on the already great NVIDIA reference design and will help VVikoo make a name for themselves. The biggest problem we see with this card is that it will be very hard to find in stores. VVikoo operates only in the Europe and is partnered with only several distributors shipping in relatively low quantities.