X-bit labs

ASUS Extreme N7800 GTX TOP: RADEON X1800 XT Gets an Extreme Rival (page 3)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin , Anton Shilov

[ 10/24/2005 | 11:54 AM ]

It was also pretty pleasant to find a CD case made of artificial leather in the box. Earlier ASUS supplied an orange CD box made of plastic that was not that good looking and also took more place.

While a case for CDs made of genuine leather would probably be even more stylish, this one is still good enough.

Given that ASUS Extreme N7800GTX TOP/2DHTV supports two DVI-I connectors, HDTV output and video input, the company supplies a couple of DVI-to-D-Sub adapters in addition to a universal hub that has S-Video, YPbPr and RCA connectors as well as video input connectors. The hub comes with a pretty long wire, which will make it comfortable for end-users to plug necessary cables into it. To a great regret ASUS did not include any additional cables with the graphics card, which requires end-user to purchase them individually.

Installation guides and instructions are probably something that ASUS deserves credit for: loads of languages and very easy to understand, the booklets may be very useful to people, who are not completely familiar with hardware and software installation procedures.

Quite naturally, ASUS’ top-of-the-range graphics card sports numerous proprietary technologies by ASUSTeK Computer, including the following:

• ASUS Splendid Video Enhancing Technology – detects activation and usage of video applications and automatically optimizes image quality for better visual result.
• ASUS GameFace Messenger – audio/video communication feature that enables point-to-point video conferencing functions and online gaming to take place simultaneously.
• ASUS GameLiveShow – allows to broadcast gaming experience and victories over the Internet.
• ASUS GameReplay – software that records gaming experience into MPEG4 video in order to allow games to analyze mistakes in moves or tactics aftermath.
• ASUS Video Security Online – allows to set up a camera and broadcast video over the Internet. Can be tuned in order to react on movements only.
• ASUS OnScreenDisplay (OSD) – a software that allows to adjust monitor settings without leaving a game.

Back in 2004 ASUSTeK supplied a pretty convenient USB web-cam along with its high-end graphics cards, but it looks like the situation has changed in 2005: we did not find a web-cam bundled with ASUS Extreme N7800GTX TOP/2DHTV.

All-in-all, the pre-overclocked GeForce 7800 GTX from ASUS is tailored for extreme gamers: it has excellent product bundle aimed at hardcore gaming enthusiasts and, supposedly, top performance.

There are several things that require improvement in our mind. Firstly, games supplied with the leading-edge graphics cards should be really popular among gamers. Secondly, more cables in the bundle are unlikely to make an already expensive product too pricey. Thirdly, an inexpensive, but quality, web-cam is likely to be appreciated, especially noting that it is required by ASUS’ own software! Finally, those, who buy luxurious pre-overclocked graphics cards will hardly truly enjoy a picturesque individual, at least, he is not that freaky to be enjoyed by certain type of audience.