Conclusion

After hearing all of the moans and complaints about the nVidia GeForceFX line, I was really wondering how this video board would do. After all, the FX5600 isn't exactly a new GPU, but it is a redesigned one in the eyes of Prolink.

So you take a middle of the road graphics chipset and add some fast memory to the mix, lots of memory. In the end, you have a video card that does manage to perform to the levels of the GeForce4 Ti4200 boards while also giving you the ability to handle the DirectX 9 API that will be used in upcoming games. But then, we had to overclock to get to this level of performance.

When you figure in the price tag, you're looking at roughly US$190 as compared to about $135-$150 for the Ti4200. So you'll have to figure yourself if the added technology is worth the little added cost. While not out of line in terms of price, it is going to be hard to go for the FX5600 series boards when they are being manhandled by older GeForce Ti cards. After all, there really isn't much call for DirectX 9... yet.

Bottom line... If you don't have a house payment to give up for a video board, and you just have to have the latest in technological advances, then you will do well with the Prolink GeForce FX5600 Golden Limited board. They take a chipset that is having a hard time earning acceptance and make it into something better than what others are bringing to market.

- Pros

Very fast memory

And lots of it

DirectX 9 compatibility

Full VIVO capabilities

Nice software package

- Cons

Bit pricey

Uses unpopular FX5600 GPU

Requires overclocking to beat out Ti4200

Rating - 8.5/10