Asus presents a low budget card for entry level users based at ATI's X1650XT platform. The performance can be compared with Nvidia's 7600GT series. In all tests, Asus EAX1650XT was faster than MSI 7600GT. Thats a total fact. The performance difference varies according to the benchmark or used game. Enabling AA/AF makes EAX1650XT slower, but again its faster than what 7600GT series can offer.

The EAX1650XT has all the features/advantages of ATI's 1650 series. The core runs at 575MHz and the memory at 675MHz. Overclocking is not an option, at least under Catalyst or the latest (0.26) ATI Tool. Probably this is the biggest negative of the card. Nvidia's cards are overclockable, adding a small performance to the default core/memory clocks..

The two DVI-D ports are not supporting High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), meaning you can cannot playback High Definition content (HD DVD, BluRay). The card is rated as "Windows Vista ready". The retail package can be characterized as complete, connection cable and one retail game is present (GTI Racing). The used air cooling system works but its very noise, something that should have been avoided from Asus.

Comparing Asus EAX1650XT with Nvidia competitor cards, we can find at retail market, Nvidia 7600GT from 110~150€, while Asus EAX1650XT retails at 170€. At this price, users can buy a generic Nvidia 7900GS which is faster and highly overclockable. Again the decision its up to you, assuming you will search for the lowest possible retail market prices...

Performance
Overclocking	?
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Value for money