Restraints Removed

Nvidia has its rump comfortably nestled into the performance driver's seat with the only DX10-enabled graphics card available to consumers. One can argue, though, that there aren't any applications yet that can make use of the new API. However, the benefits of using a unified architecture with streaming processors for current applications clear.

There are many models on the market-maybe too many, some say. But regardless of whether or not you are a fan of sorting through the various models numbers and specifications, more choice for the consumer is a good thing. The only problem is the lack of competition in the performance space, which at least partially accounts for why prices remain at $600 for GTX models and $400 for GTS devices. Last month, we saw a 320 MB version of the GTS usher in a lower price of $300 for DX10 hardware.

Nvidia introduced its G80 processor in November last year. Knowing they were the top dog in the high-performance segment, the company placed a hold on overclocked models from board manufacturers going into the market. This maximizes the sales of the primary offering as products that exceed Nvidia's specification do not cannibalize the launch product. But as time goes by, there is a need to refresh the offering based on market pressures such as supply and demand.

Of late, the restriction on overclocked versions has been lifted and those thrill seeking performance hounds can find factory overclocked models. Today, we look at the performance of two overclocked versions of Nvidia's high-end, DX10 processor in the EVGA 8800GTX KO and the Foxconn 8800GTS.

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