Overclocking, noise
OverclockingThanks to ATI's low-k insulators and 0.13-micron manufacturing process, the 9600 XT runs with a stock 500MHz core and 600MHz memory, all cooled by a small-ish fan. Cranking up both core and memory to a state where stability was not compromised, I reached an overclocked speed of 585MHz core and 680MHz memory
Far Cry was re-run with the overclocked settings and at the middle quality setting.
A healthy enough boost in performance.
Noise
A small cooler with a relatively low RPM meant that ABIT's card was quiet enough to be used in most systems without annoyance. My only recommendation would be for ABIT to use a larger heatsink accompanied by a larger, slower-spinning fan. Something along the lines of a reference Radeon 9800 XT cooler would be preferable.
