XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog Video Card Review

Today we are checking out a new 8800 series graphics card form XFX called the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog. This card is priced well and comes overclocked right out of the box and includes Call of Duty 4 as well. Read on to see how well the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog performs.

Gallery

4 images

Benchmarks

Features & Specifications
The XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog has a core clock speed of 680MHz and a memory clock of 1.6GHz. The card has an odd amount of RAM with 384MB of GDDR3 and a 192-bit memory bus. Other features include HDCP compatibility, dual DVI out and HDTV ready along with PCI-E 2.0 capability.

Test Machine
My test machine has the following specifications:

• OS- Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit
• PSU- Top Power 1100W
• RAM- 2GB Aeneon DDR3-16000
• CPU- Intel QX9770
• Display- 30-inch Dell

3DMark06
The first test for the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog is 3DMark06. 3Dmark06 was run at default settings in the application and at default setting in the NVIDIA control panel. The XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog scored as follows on 3DMark06:

• Total 3DMarks- 11322
• SM2.0- 4736
• HDR/SM3.0- 4264
• CPU- 4698
• Return to Proxycon- 39.716
• Firefly Forest- 39.219
• Canyon Flight- 40.604
• Deep Freeze- 44.685
• CPU1- 1.543
• CPU2- 2.292

To compare scores for a bit the ASUS EN9600GT Top that I reviewed recently scored 12263 3DMarks, the ASUS 9800 GX2 scored 16936, and the XFX 9600 GT scored 11397.

Quake Wars
The first gaming test up is Quake Wars, which I ran at 2560 x 1600 with all settings on high and shaders on ultra with 4x AA. I used Fraps to record frame rate data on the single player Africa Refinery map. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 13 fps
• Avg- 24.217 fps
• Max- 35 fps

Crysis
Next up is Crysis running at 1920 x 1200 with 2x AA and all settings on medium. Fraps recorded frame rate data starting in the initial beach insertion and stopping after the fight on the beach with the first enemies. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 22 fps
• Avg- 35.928 fps
• Max- 53 fps

Bioshock
The final game test up is Bioshock running at 1920 x 1200 with all settings on and all on high. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data for Bioshock:

• Min- 19 fps
• Avg- 34.863 fps
• Max- 61 fps

Final Thoughts
The performance of the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog is within a few FPS of the stock 9600 GT that costs more. For gamers on a budget of under $150 the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog at $119 is a great bargain. You even get a full copy of Call of Duty 4 which is still selling for around $40. The fan on the card is rather loud compared to other cards I have looked at.

Verdict

Conclusion

Pros

• Single slot design
• Low cost
• Good performance
• Game bundle

Cons

• Loud fan

Verdict
If you are shopping for a gaming graphics card on a tight budget the $119 XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog is a great option. If you consider the video game bundled is worth $40 the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog looks even better. Good performance at a low price is what all gamers are after and the XFX 8800 GS XXX Alpha Dog delivers that in spades.

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