Impressions and Conclusions
This content was originally featured on Amdmb.com and has been converted to PC Perspective’s website. Some color changes and flaws may appear.
Having run the FX5700 Ultra through 6 games, 5 benchmarks, and spent time using it for day-to-day activities, I have to say that it’s a very capable card. It played all the games very well and shows a significant improvement above the FX5600 Ultra. Compared to the Radeon 9500, it beats it in nearly every test, but doesn’t come close to beating the softmod Radeon 9500. There were some instances of driver issues in games such as Age of Mythology, Morrowind, and Homeworld 2, but I’m certain that these will be fixed by NVIDIA (I’ll be sure to let them know). The blurry monitor image when connected to a KVM switch is ghastly annoying and I hope either NVIDIA or its partners can fix as these cards hit the shelves for the Holiday Season. The board length was a bit long for my liking and caused me some installation headaches, but that’s a minor gripe. All in all, the FX5700 Ultra is a good card.
The FX5700U is worth a look if you have a Radeon 9500/9600, or FX5600. Our scores have shown that there’s a very significant playability improvement (see our Video Card Round-up #2 for a comparison). If you own a FX5600 Ultra currently, the decision will be harder as it will depend on current market prices and how much the performance increase is worth to you. As always, I suggest you do your competitive/comparative research to see what video solution is best for you.
Initially I wrote this article making some comments about the $200 USD price tag of the FX5700U comparing it to the performance of the softmod Radeon 9500 (which is like a Radeon 9700). After some discussion with Ryan, we have decided that we should withhold any such comments until we’ve had a chance to review the Radeon 9600XT which is what NVIDIA intended to be competition for the FX5700 Ultra. So to fully judge the FX5700 Ultra, we need to take a look at the Radeon 9600XT… which we will bring to you all very soon! (hint hint!) 😉
I applaud NVIDIA for releasing a product that’s worth getting excited about! The few problems that I mentioned don’t overshadow the performance of the card and I think that the 5700 Ultra is going to be a strong competitor in the mainstream graphics market. I say “I think” because we haven’t yet had the oppurtunity to test the competing ATI 9600XT, though we will very soon, and have the final results for you then.
From the Author
I thank NVIDIA for sending us their reference card for review.
I know they have high expectation for their new product and I wish them the
best of luck with it. I hope they take some of the comments I have made to
heart and make improvements where needed. I also thank you the reader for visiting
AMDMB and reading this article. I welcome any comments or questions you have
and I will try my best to get
back to those who write me.
