Micro-Star International (MSI) is a
well known leader when it comes to offering the very
latest computing hardware. An example of this is illustrated by MSI being one of
the first vendors to offer an NVIDIA 7800GTX with 512MB (NX7800GTX-VT2D512E) of onboard memory. The
standard high end of 256MB has been surpassed and there is no looking
back.
As you can see from the photo above, the
MSI NX7800GTX-VT2D512E will take up
two PCIe slots in your system. MSI did not stray from the NVIDIA board
specifications just as other vendors when dealing with initial runs. NVIDIA did a nice job,
though, of coming up with a clean and appealing design overall.
There are some other substantial differences than just the doubling of
onboard memory compared to the NVIDIA 7800GTX (256MB) card as shown below. The
increases in the core and memory speeds (MHz) is impressive. However, this was
the ceiling for my particular card with gains from overclocking attempts being
very minor.
Specification Comparison
BUNDLE
Like any high-end enthusiast graphics card, the focus is not on the bundle.
People in the niche market for cards in this price range likely have every game
they want anyway. MSI does include Colin McRae Rally 2005, though, which is known for
being a very solid rally car racing simulator. Additionally, the following MSI
developed software and other useful applications are included:
Automatically online download & update VGA BIOS &
Drivers, reduce the risk of getting the wrong files, and never have the
trouble on web site searching.
GoodMem
Automatically release the system memory space, reduce
the risk of system hang-up.
LockBox
Instantly enter the data lock mode when you must leave
your system for a while.
WMIinfor
Automatically list the detail system configuration, it
helpful for engineering service people.
