XFX 6600GT SLI Video Card Review :: The Bundle

• XFX 6600GT
• Commandos 3
• X2 The Threat
• MotoGP2
• TV-Out Cable
• User's Manual
• Quick Installation Guide
• 2 DVI-I to D-Sub adapters
• Cyberlink PowerDVD 4.0
• PowerDirector Pro VE
• Power VCR II
• Demos: Armored Fist 3, Delta Force Land Warrior, Commanche 4, F16 Multirole Fighter, F-22 Lightning 3, Tachyon the fringe

XFX has a unique style of packaging their video cards. Most video card manufacturers ship their cards in a rectangular box with a description of the contents and features of the card present on the box. XFX decided a while back to use their own packaging style, totally different than any other manufacturer. First thing you notice about the packaging is the X shaped box to represent the first letter of the company name.

Hardware

Software

Driver

DVI-I

Manuals

The second thing about the packaging of the card is the inclusion of a hard to open box and package. It was a pain in the ass to open. Some people might fault XFX for the packaging. But one thing that's a major problem with electronics stores is theft. As someone who has bought computer equipment only to find other things in the box than what I purchased, this is a good thing. With the packaging of the 6600GT you can't open the box without a hassle, making theft almost impossible.

XFX includes an excellent game bundle with their 6600GT card. I still remember the first 3d card I purchased, a Diamond Monster3D video card. That card came with over 20 games and game demos. Today, most manufacturers don't include games in the bundle. XFX includes Commandos 3, MotoGP and X2 the Threat in the bundle. Commandos 3 is a squad-based game where you take control of a squad of soldiers to complete various tasks. MotoGP2 is a racing game. You take control of a motorcycle in a race around tracks with beautifully rendered scenery like a Ferris wheel in an amusement park. X2, The Threat is a space game released in 2003 as well.

XFX also includes a selection of game demos with their card. Novalogic is a publisher of many military simulation games. The included software is a selection of Novalogic's simulation demos including Commanche 4, F-16 Multirole Fighter, F-22 Lightning 3, Tachyon The Fringe, Armored Fist 3, and Delta Force Land Warrior. The 6600GT plays all of these games very well, and as I'm a military history buff, it's a great inclusion to me.

PowerDVD

PowerDirector

PowerDirector

One thing I have to take XFX to task on is the inclusion of Trial versions of PowerDVD, PowerDirector Pro VE and PowerVCR II. You get a 30-day limited release PowerDirector Pro VE version. PowerDirector Pro allows you to edit videos. Cyberlink's PowerDVD is an excellent DVD playback software. I use 5.0 in my personal computer every day. The included version is 4.0. To me, inclusion of 30-day trial software, especially DVD playback software, galls me a bit.

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