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Top 10 Mainstream Graphics Boards

These are the top mainstream graphics cards today, but ratings and rankings can change quickly due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.

Edited by Danny Allen

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PCW Rating: 80.7PCW Rating: 80.7PCW Rating: 80.7

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

 BEST BUY!

1. ASUS EN8600GTS Silent

Bottom Line: This inexpensive, silently cooled version of Asus' EN8600GTS edged out its counterpart and most of the field in every test.

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PCW Rating: 79.5PCW Rating: 79.5PCW Rating: 79.5

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

2. eVGA e-GeForce 8800GTS Superclocked

Bottom Line: Pricey factory overclocked card delivers superior performance but can get quite warm under load.

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PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

3. Gigabyte GeForce 8600GTS (GA-NX86S256H)

Bottom Line: Silently cooled card provides good performance and ships with a full copy of the game Supreme Commander.

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PCW Rating: 79.1PCW Rating: 79.1PCW Rating: 79.1

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

4. ASUS EN8600GTS

Bottom Line: This average board, in terms of both price and performance, includes a full copy of the game STALKER: Shadows of Chernobyl.

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PCW Rating: 78.2PCW Rating: 78.2PCW Rating: 78.2

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

5. ASUS EN8600GTS OC Gear

Bottom Line: This board's lackluster speed can be boosted via a bundled hardware controller that you install in a PC's 5.25-inch bay.

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PCW Rating: 76.1PCW Rating: 76.1PCW Rating: 76.1

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

6. eVGA e-GeForce 8600GTS

Bottom Line: This no frills card provides good performance at an average price.

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PCW Rating: 73.9PCW Rating: 73.9PCW Rating: 73.9

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

7. Zogis GeForce 8600GTS

Bottom Line: Budget-oriented board provides good performance and output options.

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PCW Rating: 72.6PCW Rating: 72.6PCW Rating: 72.6

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

8. BFG Technologies GeForce 8600 GTS OC

Bottom Line: This factory overclocked board has good specs, but some less expensive boards perform faster.

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PCW Rating: 70.4PCW Rating: 70.4PCW Rating: 70.4

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

9. XFX GeForce 8600GT Fatality

Bottom Line: Good-looking board is inexpensive and silently cooled, but its heat fins could block a PCI slot in some PCs.

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PCW Rating: 69.9PCW Rating: 69.9PCW Rating: 69.9

Last Rated: September 12, 2007

10. PowerColor Radeon HD2600 XT

Bottom Line: Affordable card has HDMI output adapter capable of 5.1 channel sound, but its HD2600XT GPU can't match NVIDIA's 8600 GT chip.

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