VGA Card Buyer's Guide 07/2003

Inno3D Tornado GeForceFX 5200, Continued

The TV-out functions are handled by the TV encoder integrated in the 3D chip. It is connected directly to the card (S-VHS). Composite devices can only be connected to the card with the enclosed S-VHS -> composite cable measuring barely 1.8 meters. In light of the short cable, a common S-VHS -> composite adapter would have made a lot more sense.

The software bundle consists of InterVideo's WinDVD 4 player software, WinDVD Creator DVD and a CD with the freeware version of 3D Mark 2003. As for games, Innovision adds the full version of the game "Comanche 4" (11/2001).

None of Innovision's proprietary display tools are included. The driver CD merely includes the standard NVIDIA reference drivers and DirectX.

Conclusion: Innovision keeps its costs low and cuts out big software bundles. But the necessities are included. If you are looking for a low-cost and quiet graphics card with TV-out for the video or audio server in your living room, the Tornado GeForceFX 5200 is the ideal card for you.

+ Passive cooling (zero noise)
+ TV-out
+ DVD player software
+ DVD authoring software
+ Games bundle

- Composite video sources can only be connected with the included 2 m cable
- No display tools