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Sunday November 22, 2009 8:33 AM AEST
Skip Navigation LinksPC Authority > Group Tests > Massive Graphics Cards Roundup: 22 tested and reviewed
Massive Graphics Cards Roundup: 22 tested and reviewed

Massive Graphics Cards Roundup: 22 tested and reviewed

Great gaming performance has never been so affordable. We test 22 current cards from Nvidia and ATI to find what works and what doesn't
The current generation of cards from Nvidia and ATI offers astonishing variety: some provide blistering performance with no expense spared, while others make a mockery of their mid-range prices by blitzing our comprehensive gaming benchmarks. Never before have you been able to buy so much for so little.

Nvidia’s GeForce 9000 series, for instance, offers DirectX 10 and HD decoding at incredible prices — starting at just $75. Across the fence, ATI’s HD 4000 architecture sets new standards in bang per buck, with $273 cards tearing through our benchmarks. At the top sits Nvidia’s colossal GeForce GTX 285, driven by the most powerful single GPU we’ve seen.

But which card is right for you? There’s no point paying top dollar for a behemoth of a card unless you’re really going to see the benefit. Equally, it could be a false economy to aim too low and pick a card that can’t make the most of modern games.

click to view full size image
Test results: Click on image for full size


This month, we break down the specifications of all 20 mainstream cards currently on the market, and give full details of the cards’ performance across a range of benchmarks.

Then you’ll find a detailed review of each card’s strengths and weaknesses, beginning with the cheapest. For those looking to eke extra performance out of their chosen card, we also road test a neat gadget that lets you accelerate your card at the press of a button.

click to view full size image
Test results: Click on image for full size


Crysis 1680 x 1050 High - test resultsAs usual in this market, each chipset is sold under any number of different brands. Generally, though, the distinction between competing models amounts to little more than different casings, stickers and coolers.

click to view full size image
Test results: Click on image for full size


For that reason, we don’t single out particular manufacturers, but focus on the underlying hardware, taking prices (for standard-clocked models) from a cross-section of brands. Read on to find out which card is right for you.


click to view full size image
Feature table: click to enlarge image
This article appeared in the April, 2009 issue of PC Authority.


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Comments: 2
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Nato
May 13, 2009 7:21 PM
 Bit dissapointing on the performance front considering you can buy a 1920x1200 screen for cheap as chips but the best gpu with the best i7 still cant pull 60fps on the latest games, driver or hardware issues, who knows. Did uz do any gpu accelerated program tests?


Comment made about the PC Authority article:
Massive Graphics Cards Roundup: 22 tested and reviewed?
Great gaming performance has never been so affordable. We test 22 current cards from Nvidia and ATI to find what works and what doesn't


What do you think? Join the discussion.
Yoda7
Sep 27, 2009 8:17 PM
 Where is the sweet spot for fan noise vs. performance.
I watch TV on my PC and don't want much fan noise.
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