Hands-on: Gainward GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB Graphics Card

Filed under: Computer Hardware, Computers | By: Mark
Posted on: October 1, 2008 | No Comments

We’re not really looking at anything too out of the ordinary here; the slight overclock that Gainward has given the card not only manages to just outperform the stock clocked model in almost every test, but also the heavily overclocked 9800 GTX from BFG.

For the money, the 9800 GTX+ isn’t a bad buy, but it seems to be a card that not too many companies are embracing. In all fairness it really is nothing more than an overclocked 9800 GTX, and if you already offer them why should you be bothering too much with the 9800 GTX+.

The good news is that unlike the HD 4850 we looked at from Gainward the other day, this card does have a bit more of a package going on thanks to the inclusion of not only the HDMI adapter and loop back cable but also a key for 3DMark Vantage so that you can display the power of your system loudly and proudly.

If you find yourself looking for a 9800 GTX+, the Gainward isn’t a bad buy; the slight overclock gives us a little boost in performance while the bundle is also pretty decent. Gainward have also done a good job with the aftermarket cooler; not only does it run cooler than the reference based cards, but it also runs quieter making it a real win win.

The Gainward 9800 GTX+ is a good card, that’s about it, though. And the problem isn’t with them; Gainward have almost done everything they can with the card to make it good. It has a good bundle, good cooling, nice looks and a decent price tag. But ultimately it’s NVIDIAs core behind the cooler that truly makes the card and that is what’s boring.

So with that said, we have to say “Good job” to Gainward for doing what they’ve done with the card. But as usual, the huge number of models NVIDIA have decided to give us these days is so confusing and underwhelming that it does let the model on a whole down.

Read the full hands on review over on TweakTown.

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