Overclocking and Thoughts
Unlike with the PCI Express version, I had the chance to spend some time overclocking the AGP version. With GC20 1000MHz memory, at least 1000MHz was almost guaranteed before a slider was tweaked and a clock applied. Reviewers that overclocked the PCI Express version found it stopping around 580MHz, so that seemed like a fine final clock to aim for. As it stands, the reference sample managed 600/1200 without an issue and I settled with that in the time I had for overclocking testing. 3DMark03 saw it as follows.
Check the clocks by clicking here.
Thoughts
The mid-range market just before the new-year is NVIDIA's, should this AGP variant of 6600 GT make it to market in serious quantity. Priced at £150 in the UK and with 9800 Pro as its only real competition, those looking to upgrade for a new lease of life in Half Life 2, Doom3, NFSU2 et al, for less than £200, have a product to home in on.Performance is strong, no less than that of the PCI Express version and the new driver is strong in core performance to boot. Only some some new found issues, in some popular games titles that really should have been squashed by now, spoil that party. Stick to 66.81 if you play Far Cry for example. All that was said for the launch of the PCI Express variant applies to this version too. Good AA quality and performance, good AF performance, Shader Model 3.0 support, the list goes on. Dual DVI on the reference board was nice to see, my new found pair of DVI-equipped LCD panels fully at home on yet another mid-range card that implements both ports. Hopefully that'll be passed on to AIB boards.
Questions should be asked of the 900MHz memory clock, though. Is it to differentiate and entice people to the PCI Express version that sports larger numbers on the box, or is it a statement of intent that AIBs will equip AGP 6600 GT boards with slower DRAMs? I'd bet on the former. Look for AIB boards on AGP to sport the same GC20 DRAMs as the reference board and overclock it the first chance you get, if the AIB hasn't done it for you.
It's fast, doesn't break the bank and hopefully, hopefully, will be available in large numbers in a matter of a week or two. Recommended very highly if you're shopping in the mid-range with just shy of £200 to spend. Drop 150 notes on the card, some change on Half Life 2 and enjoy the game, as ATI struggle to bring X700 XT to AGP. 9800 Pro and XT aren't far off in terms of performance, but in terms of features and price, the 6600 GT on AGP beats them off with a very big stick. Until RIALTO is a reality, 6600 GT is the new mid-range card to choose on AGP, bar none.
