XFX GeForce 8400GS Video Card Review

We look at lots of high end, really expensive video cards here aimed at gamers and those with big budgets. For many the NVIDIA 8800 GT or GTX is simply too expensive or just more video card than is needed for occasional games of solitaire and general computer work. Today we are going to check out a low cost graphics card form XFX called the 8400GS. Read on for all the details on the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB.

Gallery

3 images

Benchmarks

Features & Specifications
The XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB has a memory clock of 800MHz and a core clock of 450MHz. The shader clock is 1200MHz. The 256MB of memory is DDR2 and the card has a 64-bit memory bus. The card is designed to be changeable between a standard size PCI bracket and a low profile PCI bracket for use in small workstations and HTPC machines. The low-profile bracket is not included with the card.

XFX says that a HDMI upgrade kit is available and the card is HDCP ready. However, the HDCP portion is not included with the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB I am looking at today. That means the card will not work for HTPC machines using Blu-ray or HD DVD drives. It will however work perfectly for HTPC systems with a normal DVD player.

Test Machine
The test machine I used for the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB has the following specifications:

• CPU- Intel QX6850
• Mainboard- XFX 680i
• PSU- PC Power and Cooling 1KW
• Display- Dell 30-inch
• OS- Windows XP Pro

Benchmarks & Testing
Normally I test video cards with a full complement of video games. However, since the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB is definitely not a gaming card I am forgoing the majority of the gaming tests for this review. I will be using 3DMark06 and Quake Wars to test the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB.

3DMark06
The first test up is 3DMark06, which I ran at default settings in the application and in the NVIDIA control panel. Again since this card isn’t aimed at gamers I am using a truncated set of numbers from 3Dmark for this review.

• Total 3DMarks- 1730
• SM2- 663
• HDR- 540
• CPU- 4674

I recently tested the ATI HD 3450 on a machine with a much slower processor and the ATI card came very close the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB on 3DMark06 with 1704 3DMarks. The CPU in the ATI test machine I used only scored 1681 compared to the 4674 f the CPU in the NVIDIA test machine.

Quake Wars
The only gaming test I ran on the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB was Quake Wars. To get playable frame rates I ran the game at 1024 x 768 with all settings on medium. I used Fraps to record frame rate data on a single player map on the Africa refinery level. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 21 fps
• Avg- 39.018 fps
• Max- 61 fps

General PC Use
This card is typically going to be used to increase system performance eon workstations being upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. The XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB has plenty of oomph to run Vista Aero and Flip3D features without any problems. If you are running a Vista computer that doesn’t have the performance to run these features of Vista, the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB is a great upgrade to get those features. The card includes an external cable that allows two displays with resolution up to 1920 x 1200 to be used at once. The XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB video card retails for around $60 online.

Verdict

Conclusion

Pros

• Low profile design can be used in SFF systems
• Can run dual displays

Cons

• Outperformed by lower priced HD 3450 from ATI

Verdict
In the end if you are an NVIDIA fan the XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB is a good low cost card for casual gaming or general computer work on a Vista system currently using integrated graphics. The card is weak on gamin performance but can run the 3D features of Vista without any problems.

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