Conclusion

BFG 8600GTS OC2

BFG rarely disappoint and the 8600GTS OC2 is not a card that would mar their reputation. Just like the original BFG 8600GTS OC we reviewed back when the 8600 series launched the OC2 delivers great 3D performance and some great HD decoding characteristics. The card is not the fastest 8600GTS we have reviewed so far, but when compared to the XFX card which still holds the crown it is considerably cheaper. The reference cooler could probably do with a slight upgrade, but it did its job well all the same. As it is we have one of the fastest GTS cards available at the moment for a very competitive price – BFG really struck gold with this one.

What do these awards mean?

The BFG 8600GTS OC2 is available at Newegg for $239.99

Gainward Bliss 8600GT PCX

With a dual slot cooling solution this 8600GT is the biggest we have seen to date. It is also one of the fastest GTs we had the pleasure of reviewing, though it gets beaten by the XFX 8600GT XXX. On the bright side, although it is only 10MHz slower than the XFX offering the card is considerably cheaper, a big plus in our book. And while the cooler bets more on looks than it does on performance, the card remained quiet and cool even after an hour long stress test. The fact that like all 8600GTs the Gainward Bliss card can accelerate HD video makes the whole offering even more tempting.

What do these awards mean?

The Gainward Bliss 8600GT PCX is available at ShopMangenta for £87.04 Inc VAT

ATI HD2600XT

The ATI HD2600XT presents us with a difficult dilemma. The card is comparable to a stock 8600GT in most of the current games although it does begin to lag behind at higher resolutions. When it comes to HD video playback the card truly shines and especially with HD-DVD playback the nVidia cards don’t even come close. Another area where the HD2600XT dominates is the DX10 performance. In Call of Juarez the card simply blew away the competition, which indicates that while the card may not be the best for DX9 gaming, it has a lot of hidden potential for upcoming games. And unlike the HD2400XT which let us down with its poor cooler we can’t really hold anything against the reference HD2600XT we tested. Currently the 8600GT is still a better choice, but if you ask us things might turn around in a few months when more DX10 games are available.

What do these awards mean?

The ATI HD2600XT MSRP is $149/£74