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Review: Inno3D (NVIDIA) GeForce GTX 295 Platinum single-PCB graphics card

by Tarinder Sandhu on 27 July 2009, 08:51 3.55

Tags: GeForce GTX 295 Platinum Edition (186.18), NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Inno3D

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Final thoughts and rating

The Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum 1,792MB graphics card is the first that we've seen use a single PCB for housing two G200b GPUs; previous single-slot cards have used two PCBs. The manufacturing change results in a lighter card that still tips the scales at close to 1kg, and we can intimate that it's slightly cheaper to produce for NVIDIA's partners.

Construction aside, there's very little that's new here. GeForce GTX 295 remains the fastest graphics card currently available, and it should be so until both NVIDIA and ATI release their next-generation architectures in autumn 2009.

Costing £356, including VAT, at the time of writing, the Inno3D single-PCB card is one of the cheaper models around, although the asking price for twin-PCB models has fallen to below £400 for a wide range of partners.

Fast as it may be, blazing through benchmarks at 2,560x1,600, the card's value is always in doubt, because two GeForce GTX 260s - offering broadly similar performance in SLI - can be purchased for £250. Further, a Radeon HD 4870 X2 2,048MB, whilst not as fast, is a relative snip at £240.

If NVIDIA/Inno3D really, really want to shift some of these high-power cards we suggest an etail price of £299 all in - or less.

Bottom line: the single-PCB Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum's cosmetic differences and relatively attractive price are enough to entice buyers who would have the GTX 295 on their shortlist. For everyone else, we'd suggest waiting for prices to drop just before the next-generation parts hit the shelves, or to purchase a twin-card combination from lower down in the range.

HEXUS Rating

We consider any product score above '50%' as a safe buy. The higher the score, the higher the recommendation from HEXUS to buy. Simple, straightforward buying advice.

The rating is given in relation to the category the component competes in, therefore the card is evaluated with respect to our 'high-end components' criteria.

71%

Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum 1,792MB

HEXUS Rating

Good overclocking potential and blazing-fast performance.
GS

Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum 1,792MB

HEXUS Where2Buy

The Inno3D GeForce GTX 295 Platinum can be purchased for £356.77, including VAT and delivery.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

 


HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

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I approve of showing the bang-for-buck for multiple resolutions. Resolutions based on where the reviewed card slots into the product range of course :)
Good performance but is it really worth it? I mean its £350 and you can get a 4870x2 for £240 which performs perfectly good enough, or you could buy 2x 4890's and be probably better than the £350 card. Idle/load power didnt expect that much difference it certainly is an issue for amd to eventually solve, possibly the 5000 series?. And about cooling, i think the reason why it can be cooled so effectively is that it costs so much to buy that your paying for the good cooler!.
Agreed above…

ATI 4870x2 for the win. :mrgreen: