Gainward GeForce3 PowerPack!!! (Page 5/5)

Posted: August 2, 2001
Written by: James Kennedy

Overclocking

I was interested in putting this “golden sample” version of the board to the test. I fired up the EXPERTool program and went to the overclocking options. I first tried using the Enhanced Performance Setting button, which nudged my core and memory speeds up to 220 and 480 respectively. The card seemed to handle this without a problem so I decided to up it even further. With the core set to 230 and the memory at 530, the card started to have problems with freezing and graphical glitches, and the card was also beginning to get very hot. At this setting I could not go through a timedemo without graphic anomalies or windows crashing altogether. I have a feeling that if I had better cooling for the card I could have overclocked a bit higher without many problems.

Adding it All Up

Performance: 9.5/10
Your standard GeForce3 performance here, folks.

Innovation: 9.4/10
A red PCB really sets it apart from the rest.

Installation: 10/10
Not a single problem.

Bundle: 8.5/10
Decent utilities and software, but no games.

Price: 9.4/10
Fully loaded this card is still cheaper than some of the rather featureless GeForce3’s on the market.

Conclusion

Gainward has come through with a solid product in the GeForce3 PowerPack!!!. Delivering on both the speed and value fronts can be a difficult thing, but Gainward has found a perfect balance of the two resulting in superior product.

I have very minor complaints about this card. I wish there were pack-in games. I know this isn’t a huge deal to most people (myself included), but it still would have been nice. The heatsinks and fan are just so-so. They do their job and keep the card cool, but serious overclockers will probably want to replace them.

When it comes down to it, the GeForce3 PowerPack!!! is a great product with a decent price tag. Taking overclocking a bit further with the “golden sample” variations on the boards, your typical tweaker will love this card. Gainward may not be a well-known brand here in the states yet, but they are well on their way.

Final Score

9.7/10

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