Graphic cards tested

Graphic cards tested

On this occasion we chose to test only those graphics cards obtained from stores. This isn’t always the easiest option because of availability issues, but it does have many advantages. We avoid graphic cards that come on loan from manufacturers, which sometimes aren’t in the best working condition (graphic cards are dismantled/reassembled, there are incomplete packages, etc.) and those pre-selected by manufacturers for various reasons.

We included the following graphic cards in our test:

4 AGP cards:

- Leadtek WinFast A6600GT TDH
- MSI NX6600GT-VTD128
- PNY Verto GeForce 6 6600 GT AGP
- Point Of View GeForce 6600 GT AGP

7 PCI-Express cards

- ASUSTeK Extreme N6600GT
- Gigabyte GV-NX66T128D
- Gigabyte GV-NX66T128VP
- Leadtek WinFast PX6600 GT TDH
- Leadtek WinFast PX6600 GT TDH Extreme
- MSI NX6600GT-TD128E
- Point of View GeForce 6600 GT PCI-E

6600 GT AGP – a couple of problems

Following the feedback of several users having a couple of issues with their graphic cards, we published two news items in the end of December:

- Issues with the 6600 GT AGP ?
- Problems with some 6600 GT AGP – follow-up

In short, two main problems arose. First, power for the GeForce 6600 GT AGP graphic card uses an additional Molex connector that is very sensitive to the power supply. It specifically requires 12V and needs to be as steady as possible (no variation below 5%). Therefore, a quality power supply is necessary. The other problem concerns graphic cards, which use NVIDIA’s standard cooling solutions.


Because the graphic cards’ radiator stands on four plastic bearings and because of a GPU that isn’t always on the same level, sometimes the contact isn’t optimum and can lead to problems. Of course, this only concerns a small number of cards and the more nimble can dismount the radiator and remove the bothersome plastic bearings. Anyway, this has been identified and doesn’t concern newer graphic cards.

AGP : Leadtek & MSI

Leadtek WinFast A6600GT TDH

The first graphic card of this survey, the WinFast A6600GT TDH differs from the others tested here by the cooling system, which isn’t one normally used by NVIDIA. It’s larger, supposedly turns slower and provides an equivalent amount of air. Therefore, it should also be quieter.



The board features one VGA D-Sub, DVI and TV output. Leadtek offers a DVI/VGA adaptor with its package to connect another analogical monitor to the graphic card and an adaptor cable to have a TV signal in S-Video, in composite and also in YUV for HDTV. The other cable part, however, isn’t provided.

The average Leadtek software package features DVD player software, InterVideo WinDVD, and two games, Prince of Persia the Sands of Time (the first one), and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow.


In practice we measured the graphic card’s noise level at 47 dBA, which is quite normal. The board features GPU and PCB temperature monitoring. After continuous load, the temperature reached 68°C, one of the lowest temperatures in this survey.

For overclocking, the graphic card reached a stable configuration at 575 MHz for the GPU, and 605 MHz for memory (Samsung 2ns). This is respectively +15% and +34% compared to standard frequencies. The 3DMark03 score in 1024*768 AA 4x increased from 4612 to 5667 (+22.9%).

Verdict

With the WinFast A6600GT TDH, Leadtek has the best 6600 GT AGP graphic card of this test. Only the Point Of View might overshadow this graphic card, only because of the package.

MSI NX6600GT-VTD128

The MSI NX6600GT-VTD128 is the only GeForce 6600 GT AGP of this roundup with VIVO functions. MSI has included a SAA7115HL chip to the graphic card to accept analogical video signal input, which would be for acquiring video, for example. MSI also provides an S-Video cable and VGA to DVI adaptor for those who want to connect two monitors in analogical.


If the PCB looks like NVIDIA’s standard design, MSI decided like Leadtek to add a personal touch to the cooling system. MSI goes even further with the radiator being in contact with the memory chips, even if it isn’t necessary as long as there is some airflow passing over memory chips.

There are numerous games and utility software included such as XIII and Uru : Ages Beyond Myst and the following utilities: Restore It 3 Professional, Photoshop Album SE, 3D Album SE, WinDVD Creator, Cyberlink PowerCinema 3, Cyberlink MakeDVD, Cyberlink PowerProducer 2 Gold – DVD et Cyberlink Power2Go 4 – DVD.


We are disappointed by the noise of the cooling system chosen by MSI, which isn’t less noisy than NVIDIA’s standard fan. It’s actually slightly noisier at 53.5 dBA. The graphic card initially doesn’t offer any temperature monitoring. After a bios modification we activated it. The temperature in use, a good score for a 6600 GT, was 67°C.

For overclocking, the radiator in contact with memory chips (Samsung 2.0ns) doesn’t change the situation. The board we tested, 570 MHz for the GPU and 600 MHz for memory, was unable to reach higher frequencies than the Leadtek. This is still a very good result, though. The 3DMark03 score in 1024*768 and anti aliasing 4x increases from 4601 to 5576 points.

Verdict

MSI’s graphic card only stands out from the competition because of VIVO functions. The cooling system was promising but doesn’t bring any improvement in practice. The advantage is small.

AGP : PNY & Point Of View

PNY Verto GeForce 6 6600 GT AGP

PNY didn’t spend a lot of time rethinking the GeForce 6 6600 GT’s standard design. The PNY Verto GeForce 6 6600 GT AGP is strictly identical to NVIDIA’s, fan included. The board features128 MB of GDD3 Samsung 2.0ns memory, a VGA D-Sub, DVI and TV output.


The package is very complete on the hardware side. In terms of software side, however, there’s no game, utility, or DVD player software.


In practice, like the MSI, this PNY graphic card doesn’t initially have any temperature monitoring activated. After activation the result is 78°C in use, which is higher than some graphic cards but nothing to worry about in practice. The maximum temperature before NVIDIA automatically reduces the GPU frequency is 127°C. The standard cooling system is quite noisy. We measured 52 dBA, and think it’s unfortuneate that noise isn’t reduced in 2D.

After Overclocking, the 3DMark03 score in 1024*768 with AA 4x increases from 4598 to 5343.

Verdict

This graphic card has nothing that stands out compared to the other GeForce 6600 GTs.

Point Of View GeForce 6600 GT AGP

Like PNY, Point Of View uses NVIDIA’s standard design and hasn’t made too much effort to improve on it. The POV card features 128 MB of GDDR3 Samsung 2.0ns memory, a VGA, DVI and TV output.


While POV hasn’t made too much effort in the design area, it did for the package. For the hardware part, there is a VGA/DVI adaptor and a Video / Composite / YUV adaptor for TV output. The software is the most impressive: InterVideo WinDVD but also 3 recent games of quality: Far Cry, Pacific Fighters and Prince Of Persia: Warrior Within.


We found the 52.5 dBA of the cooling system unfortuneate. The temperature probe measured 77°C, which isn’t a problem for overclocking. The graphic card GPU successfully reached 560 MHz605 MHz and 605 MHz for the GDDR3 memory. The final score for 3DMark03 in 1024*768 with AA 4x is 5584 instead of 4605 without Overclocking.

Verdict

From the hardware point of view, the Point Of View doesn’t stand out, however the software part of the package is excellent.

PCI-E : ASUS & Gigabyte

ASUSTeK Extreme N6600GT/TD/128M

The next graphic card is the PCI Express ASUSTeK Extreme N6600GT. It features 128 MB of GDDR3 Samsung 2.0ns memory, and while it doesn’t use the standard cooling system, it has something quite similar. The fan size is equivalent but has fewer blades (9 instead of 7). Air is only expelled to the back of the graphic card so airflow doesn’t pass over the memory chips located above the GPU. They have heat dissipaters.


The ASUSTeK features a VGA, and DVI output with a VGA adaptor output, and one S-Video with composite adaptor output. It is interesting to note that ASUSTeK is the only manufacturer of this survey not to offer YUV / HDTV inputs. It won’t be a problem for 99% of users, but it’s quite surprising for ASUSTeK. The package software includes Joint Operations : Typhoon Rising for games and the utilities are CyberLink PowerDirector 3DE & PowerDVD 5. Some come with Doom 3 instead of Joint Operations.


In use, the graphic card is relatively noisy. We measured 50 dBA. This result is between the Leadtek’s and graphic cards, which use the standard cooling system. GPU temperature reached 78°C in use and the 3DMark03 score is 4859 in 1024*768 AA 4x. After Overclocking to 545/630 MHz, the maximum without graphic artifacts, the score increased to 5608.

Verdict

A good graphic card with nothing to make it stand out.

Gigabyte GV-NX66T128D

The GV-NX66T128D is the first of two Gigabyte graphic cards tested in this survey. Like Leadtek, MSI or ASUSTeK, Gigabyte doesn’t use the standard cooling system, but another one similar to the one used by ASUSTeK.


The graphic card features a VGA, DVI (with a VGA adaptor) and TV output with an adaptor to use it in Composite, S-Video or YUV. On the Software side there is PowerDVD and two games, Joint Operations : Typhoon Rising and Thief : Deadly Shadows.


In practice, the fan is quite noisy and the noise level reached 51 dBA. It’s just a little better than the standard design but still too much. The GPU temperature we measured in use reached 81°C. This result isn’t great either, but is still far from NVIDIA’s protection limit (127°C). Strangely, this graphic card provides slightly lower performances to other graphic cards of equivalent frequencies 500/500. Instead of 4860-4880 points to 3DMark03 in 1024*768 AA 4x, the GV-NX66T128D scores 4756.

Gigabyte uses less aggressive memory timings, so this might explain the unusually high overclocking acheived by the Samsung 2.0ns memory chips at 635 MHz. The GPU reached 560 MHz with our test card and in the end the final score for 3DMark03 in 1024*768 AA 4x is 5607.

Verdict

Overall it’s a very good GeForce 6600 GT that is well balanced. However, once again it doesn’t stand out compared to other graphic cards.

PCI-E : Gigabyte & Leadtek

Gigabyte GV-NX66T128VP

After the GV-NX66T128D, it’s now the GV-NX66T128VP. This time, Gigabyte made some serious efforts and provided a very complete graphic card. First of all, it uses a fanless cooling solution. Second, it features Samsung GDDR-3 1.66ns memory clocked at 600 MHz. And finally, like the MSI AGP graphic card it has Philips chips for VIVO functions.


Here there is little to say about the noise level because there is no sound. Gigabyte uses an increased dissipation surface with two radiators connected by a heatpipe. Memory chips aren’t in contact with these radiators.

In order to fully exploit all graphic card inputs/outputs, Gigabyte included a VGA/DVI adaptor and an adaptor to have composite / s-video signals or output a composite / s-video or YUV signal. For video, Gigabyte gives you a CyberLink PowerDirector 3 ME and like other Gigabyte 6600 GTs of this survey, PowerDVD and two games, Joint Operations : Typhoon Rising and Thief: Deadly Shadows.



In use, the graphic card’s temperature is quite high but normal. NVIDIA’s probe reported the GPU at 100°C. This is high but still below the risk zone temperature. Measured with an IR thermometer, the radiator temperature was 70°C. We feel that both temperatures are rather high and we think to ensure product life it would be better to have sufficient computer ventilation for a better airflow on the graphic card. Worst case scenario, this could be a 80 or 120mm fan with a low rotation speed and therefore would not be very noisy. If well placed in the computer, it could reduce card temperature to more normal figures.

Despite this abnormal temperature we were able to Overclock this graphic card. Clocked initially at 500/560 MHz (the DDR is clocked 60 MHz higher than most of its competitors) we increased the frequency to 540/630 MHz. It’s interesting to note that 1.6ns memory doesn’t permit higher overclocking than other graphic cards of this test equipped with Samsung 2.0ns memory. With such frequencies, the score reached for 3DMark03 in 1024*768 with AA 4x is 5486 instead of 5025 with initial frequencies. With frequencies set at 500/500, the graphic card has a performance similar to the GV-NX66T128D, and slightly inferior to other cards with equivalent frequencies.

Verdict

This fanless graphic card still requires a very good tower cooling system or an additional well situated fan. However, admirers of quiet computers will certainly choose the Gigabyte GV-NX66T128VP over other graphic cards with turbines.

Leadtek WinFast PX6600 GT TDH & Extreme

These are the second and third Leadtek products of this survey after the AGP version. The same cooling system is included and suggests good performances. Except for the package these two graphic cards differ in two aspects. First of all, the standard version features 128 MB of GDDR3 Samsung 2.0ns memory, and the Extreme version has 1.6ns memory. We saw previously with Gigabyte that it didn’t make a difference but maybe it will here. Normal functioning frequencies are also modified to 500/500 (GPU/DDR) for the standard version, and 550/560 for the Extreme.


Both graphic cards have a VGA D-Sub, DVI (VGA adaptor provided) and TV (S-Video / Composite / YUV adaptor provided) output. For software, they come with InterVideo WinDVD, Prince Of Persia The Sands Of Time and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. This is the second version of Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time, but another version with “Doom 3” is also available..

In use, the noise level is equivalent to the AGP version at 47 dBA. This is significantly less than most of the other graphic cards tested and is finally a normal level. Temperatures reached 65°C for the standard and 67°C for the Extreme version, which is clocked slightly higher. With standard frequencies scores are 4869 and 5390 with 3DMark03 in 1024*768 and AA 4x.


For overclocking, we reached 570/630 MHz for the standard and 570/605 MHz for the Extreme. Final scores were 5743 and 5679 points. Like with Gigabyte, the Samsung 1.6ns memory doesn’t go higher and sometimes provides lower performances than the 2.0ns. For the GPU, after overclocking, we reached the same frequencies.

Verdict

Like the AGP version, the WinFast PX6600 GT TDH is an excellent choice. This time the competition is tougher, but it still finish amongst the leaders in PCI Express. We feel, however, that the extreme version is of little interest, as the guanranteed frequencies are generally reached in overclocking with other standard 6600 GTs. Neither does this graphic card have better performances in overclocking.

PCI-E : MSI & Point Of View

MSI NX6600GT-TD128E

Contrary to the AGP model tested above, the NX6600GT-TD128E doesn’t have VIVO capability. All the same it shares an MSI cooling system, similar to Leadtek’s, but more evolved. In fact, this time the radiator covers the Samsung 2.0ns memory chips.


The card has a VGA D-Sub, DVI and TV outlet. MSI also provides all the necessary adaptors; a VGA/DVI, one for analogical video signals in S-Video/Composite/YUC as well as an S-Video cable. Software is generous with XIII and Uru: Ages beyond Myst for games and the following utilities: Restore It 3 Professional, Photoshop Album SE, 3D Album SE, WinDVD Creator, Cyberlink PowerCinema 3, Cyberlink MakeDVD, Cyberlink PowerProducer 2 Gold – DVD and Cyberlink Power2Go 4 – DVD


Unlike the AGP model, the PCI Express version has a significantly reduced noise level compared to that of the standard NVIDIA system’s. It’s at the level of Leadtek cards at 47 dBA. In addition to being less noisy, it only registered 64°C in practice, the lowest of this card survey.

For overclocking we went from 500/500 to 560/620, which is more than acceptable. This gave a score of 5659 points with 3DMark03 in 1024*768 AA 4x, versus the normal 4884 points.

Verdict

This card is on the same level as the PCI Express Leadtek. In other words, it’s one of the best.

Point of View GeForce 6600 GT PCI-E

To finish this survey we come to the Point of View in PCI Express. Like it’s AGP version, POV decided to entirely use the standard NVIDIA design, cooling system included. Thus, this card has 128 Mo of GDDR3, a GeForce 6600 GT, and a VGA, DVI and TV outlet.


Again like the AGP, POV sets itself apart with the package. In terms of hardware, there is a VGA/DVI adaptor, as well as an S-Video/Composite/YUV adapter for the TV output. For software, this is where POV pulls its trump card, with InterVideo WinDVD for DVDs and also 3 recent games of quality : Far Cry, Pacific Fighters and Prince Of Persia : Warrior Within.


In use, the Point of View proves to be quite noisy at 53 dBA. The temperature in practice was measured at 66°C, which is very good. Performance was average at 4877 with 3DMark03 in 1024*768 AA 4x. For overclocking, our card attained 545/620 MHz and a final score of 5576.

Verdict

Like its AGP version, Point Of View doesn’t set itself apart except with its attractive software package.

Noise level and temperatures

Summary of noise levels

This is a recap of all graphic cards measurements, in which we used a sonometer 10 cm from the graphic card.


Except for the Gigabyte, which is fanless, the best cards are the Leadtek and MSI in PCI Express. Others are quite noisy, but it’s important to note that this noise level can be reduced. For all graphic cards with temperature monitoring the utility EXPERTool of Gainward permits changing the fan rotation speed by reducing it in 2D and 3D. It adds a resident program in memory and a new icon to the task bar, but until NVIDIA integrates this into drivers it’s something we will have to put up with.

Of course, it’s always better to directly choose a silent graphic card such as the Gigabyte.

Summary of temperature results

Two graphic cards weren’’t compatible with the temperature monitoring, the MSI and PNY AGP version. Initially, we thought they simply lacked a probe, but they actually have one. It’s just a choice by manufacturer (why, we don’t know) and you just will have to change the bios and follow the method explained here to this address (in French) at your own risk, to activate the monitoring.


We obtained the following results where the reported temperature was the maximum measured in 10 consecutive 3DMark05 tests via RivaTuner. RivaTuner provided the temperature graph.


Logically, the warmest graphic card is the fanless Gigabyte. Even if it is still below the protection limit (127°C), we feel this value is quite high. For a long life we advise you to use this graphic card in a well ventilated tower, or even with a fan gently blowing air on the graphic card.

Overall Performances & Overclocking

Overall performance & Overclocking

AGP versions clocked at 500/450 have inferior performances to PCI Express equivalents, which are initially clocked at 500/500. Amongst the PCI Express boards, the Gigabyte 128D lags slightly behind. The128VP and mainly the Leadtek 6600GT Extreme are in the lead thanks to higher standard frequencies (500/560 and 550/560, respectively).


After overclocking, frequency and performance gaps are significantly reduced. Of course, as we only conducted tests on one graphic card, keep in mind that results may vary depending on the particular card you recieve.

We felt that the overclocking integrated to drivers really wasn’t that convincing for memory. With certain graphic cards, divers refused to validate some memory frequencies that worked perfectly and validated others that had graphic defects. The “test” value integrated to the NVIDIA overclocking panel and initially used by RivaTuner is then quite relative. For more accurate overclocking we advise you to use RivaTuner and deactivate this test in NVIDIA’s drivers.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Lets make the point clear that with a few exceptions, all GeForce 6600 GTs are good graphic cards in the way that they have a good performance and drivers. Graphic cards makers have almost nothing to do with the NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT’s good market standing.

What we expect from a graphic card maker isn’t just to offer the standard design, but rather a better product adding improvements when necessary (the level of noise, for example). Manufacturers can also stand out with additional functions or the graphic card’s package.

Amongst the 11 graphic cards tested, there are a few products which drew our attention. For AGP, preference goes to the Leadtek WinFast A6600GT TDH, and to the Point Of View GeForce 6600 GT AGP package. Of course, you will want only one of these and you will have to make your choice according to your needs.

For the PCI Express version, there is more choice. If the Point Of View package is very interesting, 3 graphic cards are very attractive, the Gigabyte GV-NX66T128VP, Leadtek WinFast PX6600 GT TDH and MSI NX6600GT-TD128E. It’s will be hard to decide between the last two as they are very similar. Take a look at the package and price in stores.

The Gigabyte GV-NX66T128VP, is a little more expensive, but is another very good choice thanks to its fanless cooling system. We feel, however, that it’s best to ventilate the graphic card to ensure a long life for components. It is clearly the best solution for those seeking low noise level computers. The bonus is that this is the only PCI Express graphic card of this survey with a video input.

We finish with a couple of disadvantages of these GeForce 6600 GTs, due to graphic cards makers and/or NVIDIA. First of all, it’s unfortunate not all graphic cards don’t initially have the temperature probe activated, and that it’s necessary to change the bios to activate it (the MSI and PNY AGP). Second, is use of a third part resident software to reduce fan rotating speed in 2D (and in 3D). Third, we would have liked that NVDVD, the DVD player developed by NVIDIA and which takes full advantage of these GPUs, to have appeared in some packages.