Conclusion

Looking at the performance figures we have seen from the ASUS 8800GT TOP Edition, it is abundantly apparent that what we have here is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It looks like an 8800GT and it costs the same as most pre-overclocked 8800GTs on the market but it performs like an 8800GTS 512MB. In every one of the tests we ran, this card was a good ten to fifteen percent faster than a stock 8800GT and in quite a few instances actually passed the performance levels of an 8800GTS 512MB. This is the perfect product for those of you who don’t want to go through the trials (and voided warranties with some companies) of overclocking your graphics card to get the maximum performance it can offer. Right out box you have a card that is able to put any stock-clocked 8800GT to shame which is incredible considering pre-overclocked products don’t usually come with the gameplay increase this one does. In the 8-series world this card occupies, it really is balls-out performance that the ASUS 8800GT TOP offers.

Not only does this card have the distinction of being one of the highest-clocked 8800GTs on the market today but ASUS has also decked it out with one sweet cooler called the Glaciator. All kidding about the name aside, this proprietary heatsink is able to keep the temperatures of the overclocked G92 core under control while keeping noise output to an absolute minimum. “Overclocked” is the operative word here since the stock 8800GT cooler has issues keeping the core temperatures under control when the card is operating at stock speeds let alone the heat produced by an overclock of 100Mhz.

While everything up to this point looked like fireworks and happy dancing leprechauns, there is more than what first meets the eye when it comes to this card since there are a few underlying issues that need to be addressed. First of all it seems even ASUS has a bit of trouble classifying this card since this version with the Glaciator cooler is not listed on their website and its product number is the same as the 8800GT without it installed. Next comes availability which (at least here in Canada) is next to nonexistent. We can live with the increased cost which is naturally associated with a pre-overclocked card but we would at least expect to find it for sale somewhere. Finally, mention has to be made of ASUS’ warranty on their graphics cards which at a mere three years is light-years behind their competition. With some manufacturers offering lifetime, double lifetime and modder-friendly warranties, the ASUS warranty just doesn’t entice a customer to buy their product.

When push comes to shove, the ASUS 8800GT TOP offers blistering performance for a card in its price range and the Glaciator heatsink only adds to its appeal. ASUS has also sweetened the pot by adding a more than almost anyone could want with the inclusion of one of the best RTS games on the market today. Even small issues like a 3-year warranty and limited availability can’t hold this graphics card back from receiving our highest honours.


Pros:

- Blistering speed
- Great aftermarket cooling
- Glaciator heatsink is VERY quiet
- Priced less than most 8800GTS 512MB cards
- Full game included (and it’s a good game too)

Cons:

- Limited availability
- 3-year warranty
- 8800GTS 512MB cards are getting closer and closer in price