Being an entry level graphics card, it is assumed that marginal
performance will be attained. But the fact remains that the TC6200 has the latest
in NVIDIA technologies. Possessing shader model 3.0 capability and designed for PCI-Express,
it should reveal some interesting possibilities not normally seen on entry level
cards.
Like in the previous review of the Gigabyte PC6600, on the surface there does
not seem to be anything to get excited about. The name TurboCache does imply
power, but looking at the card I am going to pass on commenting on that. Listed
below are the key features of TurboCache technology, which does employ a unique
method of rendering system memory to decrease costs. Overall, I am not too impressed other than the fact that the card is very small,
the cooling is passive, and it will undoubtedly have a light appetite for
electrical power.
What can be expected from the Albatron TC6200Q? Well, the memory default setting
is 250MHz (500MHz effective), supplied by 3.6ns ram, with its unique ability to
render directly to system memory. The GPU default clock is at 300MHz and is of
NVIDIA's NV44 design. Everything about the card is small and compact, even the
NV44 graphics processor is tiny.
Can the card actually run Doom 3, Half-Life 2 and Far Cry,
or is it just going to be acceptable for light gaming and installation in a
second backup or web-surfing computer with 2D and light 3D applications? A lot
of questions, most would be easily answered up front if not due consideration
was given to the advanced technology NVIDIA has employed is this small, compact
card provided by Albatron. Well, enough on that, let's get on with the list of
features and specifications, and then on to some tests to see if this entry
level card can take the stress of some of the newest games.
Key features of the TurboCache architecture:
Patented hardware and software technologies that
render directly to system memory
A TurboCache Manager (TCM), which dynamically
allocates memory for maximum system performance
Intelligent software algorithms that maximize
application performance
Bidirectional PCI Express® bandwidth, in
conjunction with TurboCache architecture, which improves graphics
price/performance
OVERVIEW
For a brief overview of NVIDIA's TurboCache technology, first, it allows the
GPU to render portions of the 3D graphics data into system memory. This reduces
the memory burden and memory requirements on the card, thus lowering component
costs for the card. This means that the TC6200 engineering sample containing
16MB in its frame buffer increases the useable VGA memory to a maximum of 128MB
by borrowing from system memory while the TC6200Q's 64MB increase useable VGA
memory to 256MB maximum.
TurboCache works by dynamically searching system memory for space that can be
used for graphics rendering. This technology then takes advantage of the PCI-Express
high-speed, bi-directional data transfers to store and retrieve data to and from
system memory, as needed.
The total system memory that can be attained by the VGA card depends on the
system memory available. For example, a mainboard with 512MB of system memory
could allow a TC6200 card with 16MB to increase its maximum effective total VGA
memory buffer to 128MB. A mainboard with only 256MB of system memory would allow
the same card to attain a maximum effective VGA memory buffer of 64MB.
Comparing the cards in this review
paired with 256MB and 512MB system memory
As you can see from the table above 512MB of "System
Memory" is the premium in order to obtain "Highest Effective Total VGA Memory"
in NVIDIA's TurboCache Technology 6200 PCI-Express video cards.
Albatron's TC6200Q Features
Powered by NVIDIA GeForce 6200
TurboCache GPU
PCI 16X with PCI express Texturing and Fast Writes
CineFX 3.0 Engine supports DirectX9.0 & OpenGL1.5
NVIDIA UltraShadow II Technology
RAMDACs 400MHz
D-Sub, TV-out and DVI Ports
Supports nView Technology
Albatron's TC6200Q System
Requirement
PCI express 16X port
CD or DVD ROM for software installation
256MB system RAM minimum
30MB free hard disk space minimum
Operation system - Windows XP, Windows 2000
GeForce 6200 TurboCache Chipset
Features
CineFX 3.0 Engine Powers the next generation of cinematic realism. Full support for Microsoft
DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 enables stunning and complex special effects.
Next-generation shader architecture delivers faster and smoother gameplay.
UltraShadow II Technology Enhances the performance of bleeding-edge games, like id Software's Doom III,
that feature complex scenes with multiple light sources and objects.
2nd-generation technology delivers more than 4x the shadow processing power over
the previous generation.
Intellisample 3.0 Technology The industry's fastest antialiasing delivers ultra-realistic visuals, with no
jagged edges, at lightning-fast speeds. Visual quality is taken to new heights
through a new rotated grid sampling pattern
nView Multi-Display Technology The nView hardware and software technology combination delivers maximum
flexibility for multi-display options, and provides unprecedented end-user
control of the desktop experience. NVIDIA GPUs are enabled to support
multi-displays, but graphics cards vary. Please verify multi-display support in
the graphics card before purchasing
OpenGL 1.5 Optimizations and Support Ensures the best performance and
application compatibility for all OpenGL applications.
Dual 400MHz RAMDACs Blazing-fast RAMDACs support dual QXGA displays with ultra-high, ergonomic
refresh rates up to 2048x1536@85Hz.
Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 Support Ensures top-notch compatibility and performance for all DirectX 9 applications,
including Shader Model 3.0 titles.
