X-bit labs

PowerColor X850 XT and PowerColor X800XL Graphics Cards Review (page 4)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin

[ 03/29/2005 | 09:39 AM ]

PowerColor X850 XT: Rank-and-File Hardware

As we said above, we got a sample of the top-end model, the PowerColor X850 XT, along with the PowerColor X800 XL. We invite you to learn more about this card.

At First Glance

It is the package that contributes the most to the initial impression from a product. The box of the PowerColor X850 XT doesn’t seem to differ from the packages of other products from this manufacturer: a picture in the center with color inserts on the sides, and the same carbon-fiber-like texture.

On a closer inspection you can see some differences: the box is made of thicker cardboard than usual. Then, there’s a window in its center through which you can see a paper insertion with a picture inside the other, smaller box, made of transparent plastic. We liked this type of packaging much more – the plastic box protects the device better during transportation.

The box opens up easily. Extracting the paper insert with the picture, we found a kind of tray the card was resting on, in its antistatic bag. Various accessories were lying at the sides. Here’s a list of what was in the package:

• PowerColor X850 XT graphics card
• User manual
• Manual on Pacific Fighters
• Two DVI-I-to-D-Sub adapters
• VIVO splitter
• YPbPr (HDTV) splitter
• S-Video cable
• RCA cable
• Power adapter
• CD with drivers
• Cyberlink CD with PowerDirector SE+, MediaShow SE, PowerDVD, PowerProducer DVD, and Power2Go
• Two CDs with Pacific Fighters

As you see, we’ve got the same accessories here as with the PowerColor X800 XL, except the different game. Pacific Fighters is an advanced flight simulator from the creators of the legendary IL-2 Sturmovik: Aces in the Sky game we use as one of our benchmarks. That’s a real treat for the buyers of the PowerColor X850 XT. As for the user manual, it is standard and is the same as you would have got with the PowerColor X800 XL.