PNY GeForce 8600GT 512MB Review

Introduction:

So you’re looking for a new nVidia graphics card that supports DirectX 10 and can handle new games... but you’re not looking to get a high-end card and break the bank. Naturally, you’re looking around for a mainstream card such as an 8600GT. Let’s examine the PNY GeForce 8600GT 512MB onboard memory. How much of an impact will 512MB of memory and overclocked clock speed be compared to other 8600GT’s on the market? Is this the mainstream card you’re looking for that supports DirectX 10 and plays all of the hottest games on the market, even games to come? Join me as we answer all of these questions and more.

"Established in 1985, PNY Technologies, Inc. delivers a full spectrum of high-quality products for everything in and around the computer. PNY is a leading manufacturer and supplier of computer graphics accelerator cards for consumers and professional graphics boards for professionals, memory upgrade modules, Flash Media and Flash peripherals. The company's retail product line includes products used in a growing number of consumer electronics devices, such as personal computers, digital cameras and PDA devices."

Closer Look:

The package that the PNY GeForce 8600GT 512MB was shipped in was a good size but it was very light. The front displays some of the key features such as the 512MB onboard memory and how the card is overclocked. The back of the box boasts about the nVidia technology the 8600GT has.

The Pny 8600GT 512MB is bundled with all of the accessories and only takes up about half of the box. Everything is securely in place but I was surprised to not see any bubble wrap or anti-static material around the 8600GT.

The PNY 8600GT’s heatsink has the picture of the character that you see on the front of the box on it. Notice the SLi connector and how there isn’t a power port on the video card. On the back of the card you’ll notice there is a plethora of stickers – BIOS information, barcodes and more. The card has two DVI outputs and an S-Video output.

Included with the PNY 8600GT is the manual, installation CD, two DVI to VGA converters, an S-Video cable, and an HDTV output cable.

Now let’s get the PNY 8600GT installed and configured for optimal use!