ATI has recently released a slew of PCI Express cards and this baby is one 'wonder' of a card. Traditionally, ATI All-In-Wonder cards combine all the features you need to enjoy TV and video games on your PC.
Let's see what features it has and what it is good for.
Graphics Processor and Memory
If you're looking for a graphics card, the most important thing you look out for is the graphics processor. How does the X600 Pro stack up when it comes to the graphics processor? Well, the card itself comes equipped with a ATI graphics processor clocked at 400MHz and with 256MB of DDR memory. That is plenty for playing the latest games and running the latest video applications.
Design and Construction
In terms of design and construction, this graphics board is a looker. If you're seen boards from ATI (or the latest graphics cards for that matter), you'll realize that many of them come with nice shades of blue or red – and intentionally so. It is to attract the attention of the consumer and the hardcore gamer – and they do a good job of it. The ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro looks really cool and it's worth a look at if you want a pretty board.
Bundled Software and Accessories
If you are a stickler for good software in graphics cards, then you won't be disappointed with the ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro. It comes with Pinnacle Studio and Meditator 7.0 and also some TV recording software which is great for capturing your local TV programs and enjoying TV digitally on your computer.
I've always liked All-In-Wonder cards in the sense that they allow this TV recording feature, but in terms of price – you have to pay more. However, if TV recording is a feature you're dying to have, then its worth paying the money for.
Overclocking Features
If your want to overclock the card, there are many resources out there on the Internet to teach you how to do it. I, for one, do not really like to go and overclock a nice graphics board from ATI (or any other brand for that matter). But the choice is yours. If you want to squeeze every bit of performance out of your board, then overclocking is a good way to go. Just don't burn your board while doing it.
Graphics Performance
How does the ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro perform? Well, a quick scan of the Internet reveals that the card gives great scores on all gaming benchmarks. But it is not the drop dead type of card that will give you the highest frame rates. However, given the ice performance for its price, it's a good value card to buy.
Shortcomings
If you're thinking if this card has shortcomings – well, one of them is certainly the average TV quality. Apparently, the programs captured by the card are reported to be of merely average quality compared to higher end cards. So if you bought the card for TV recording as the main purpose – then maybe you should reconsider.
Conclusion
Overall, the ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro is a great graphics card and gives decent TV recording capabilities. If you want super high end graphics performance, this is not the card to get. But if you want a decent 3D card for general gaming and video, then you should certainly consider it.
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.
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