Both the X1600 Pro and GeForce 7600 GS give you change from $200 and offer silent running thanks to their passive heatsinks, but the X1600 Pro just can’t compete.

Essentially, the Pro is the same GPU as the X1600 XT, but the core clock has been reduced from 590MHz to 500MHz. Far Cry and Call of Duty 2 threw up some interesting results: at 1024 x 768, the X1600 Pro averaged a respectable 26fps in the former. But it’s an amazing 13fps slower than its rival, which also enjoyed a clear lead at 1280 x 1024. Call of Duty 2 is less comprehensive, trailing the GS by 3fps.

On the rear is a dual-link DVI output and a D-SUB port, while a bundled adapter cable provides S-Video and component connections. There’s also a rally game, CyberLink PowerDVD and Gigabyte’s V-Tuner tweaking utility.

Plus, the card is CrossFire-compatible should you want to add another card at a later date to an appropriate motherboard.

If $200 is your limit, the X1600 Pro is a reasonably good media centre option. But, for even less money, NVIDIA’s 7600 GS is a much faster card that offers superior value.