Today we will be reviewing a graphics card from PowerColor, the ATI RADEON X1900 GT. PowerColor was established by Tul Corporation in 1997, and is one of the graphics industry's leading brand names and well known for its outstanding performance and innovative technology. As a leading provider of graphics cards, PowerColor offers powerful, reliable and cost-effective solutions to customers worldwide. PowerColor is the platform of choice for avid PC gamers and video prosumers looking to get the best possible performance out of the latest graphics processors from ATI.

 

-Features and specs according to PowerColor

Model	X1900GT
Graphics Engine	ATI Radeon X1900
Video Memory	256MB DDR3
Engine Clock	575MHz
Memory Clock	600 MHz x 2
RAMDAC	400MHz
Bus Standard	16 lanes PCI Express
Memory Interface	256-bit
Max. Resolution	2048 X 1536
Output	Dual DVI/ / / VIVO/ HDTV
Pixel Pipelines	36 Pixel Processors
Direct X Support	9.0
TV Connector	S-Video

The X1900GT 256MB VGA card, uses a fan cooling system. Speeds are 575 MHz for the core and 1.2 GHz for the memory, which are ATI's default clocks, so no manufacturer overclocking has been incorporated into this model. Below is a table with the default ATI clocks for the X1900 series...

	Core Speed	Memory Speed	Pixel Shader Processors	Vertex Shader
Radeon X1900 XTX	650 MHz	1.55 GHz	48	8
Radeon X1900 XT	625 MHz	1.45 GHz	48	8
Radeon X1900 CrossFire Edition	625 MHz	1.45 GHz	48	8
Radeon X1900 GT	575 MHz	1.2 GHz	36	8

- Radeon® X1900 - Overview, as seen on the ATI website

Radeon® X1900 Series — The World’s Fastest Consumer Graphics

Is your rig ready for the onslaught of next generation games? It will be with the Radeon® X1900—the fastest consumer 3D graphics processor on the planet. Designed from the ground up to deliver maximum graphical detail at the best possible frame rates, the Radeon X1900’s state-of-the-art architecture includes an ultra-threaded engine for unparalleled shader performance. In addition, it is CrossFire™ ready, allowing your greatest multi-GPU fantasies to come true. The Radeon X1900 ups the ante with Avivo™ video and display technology delivering movies, games, and photos in high-definition format with stunning color and realism. The World’s Fastest Consumer Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
The Radeon X1900 conquers the competition with brute force and massive parallelism, including an ultra-threaded engine, high speed memory support, and 90 nanometer technology.

• New ultra-threaded engine cranks up performance for a significant improvement over our previous generation GPU
• Ultra-efficient memory controller squeezes out every last drop of visual detail from your games
• 90 nanometer technology = maximum performance

Are You Ready to Slide Your Graphics Settings to ‘V. High’?
The Radeon X1900 promises the world’s fastest shader performance in Shader Model 3.0 applications. ATI allows you to experience simultaneous HDR and advanced anti-aliasing effects for incredible enhancements to lighting contour and colour details, delivering the ultimate in visually immersive 3D gaming.

• Get your box geared up for the future of games with blazing fast shader performance and watch your characters sweat with Shader Model 3.0

• Take the edge off of jagged wires and strands of hair with advanced adaptive anti-aliasing, and experience realistic lighting through HDR technology

• Unite the power of two graphics cards to accelerate your games even further with CrossFire, our acclaimed multi-GPU solution

Beyond games
There’s more to PC graphics than games, and Avivo — video and display perfection — makes sure you experience it all. Avivo promises a high definition amphitheatre visual experience, delivering sharper photos, smoother video, true-to-life image representation, and universal display connectivity.

• High-definition images come to life with remarkable clarity and over 1 billion colors
• Avivo’s universal connectivity allows you to create your ideal display set-up
• Avivo uses the same technologies present in digital TVs to deliver HD image quality for a high-end home theatre experience

- Packaging/Bundle

The retail box bundles all required cables, adapters and drivers, while it also offers DVD software for creating or watching DVD movies. However, no games are included.

Accessories:

• Quick Installation Guide
• Driver CD
• S-Video Cable
• 2x DVI to VGA adaptor
• HDTV Cable
• Composite Cable
• VIVO Cable
• PCI-E Power Cable
• Bundled DVD Software
  • PowerDirector SE+
  • MediaShow SE
  • PowerDVD
  • PowerProducer DVD
  • Power2Go
    

Driver CD	DVD Software

Quick Installation Guide...

VIVO and HDTV cable...

Power Cable and 2xDVI2VGA adaptors...

S-Video and Composite Cable...

Now that we have covered the card's features, let's move on the next page and have a closer look.