The X850 is ATi's latest and greatest graphics chipset, and one that differs from the previous top-of-the-range card, the X800XT PE, in that it uses the new PCI-Express slot rather than AGP. With the release of SLI technology from nVidia, ATi has their work cut out to recapture the overall performance crown. This particular version is from HIS, who's special edition IceQ cooler cards are now very well known in all corners of the globe.
The Attractive blue box has been retained from the last generation of cards, with a window showing you the card on the front. The bundle that comes with the X850XT is very generous, with a full version of Flat Out and a variety of other software. The full contents of the box are shown below.
- Dungeon Siege
- Power Director 3 SE Plus
- Power2Go 4
- 3D Album PicturePro
- PowerDVD 5
- Driver disk
- Flat Out – Full version
- Manual
- VIVO leads
- 2 x DVI adaptors
- PCI-E connector
- HDTV connector
The HIS Excalibur X850 XT IceQ II costs £334.95 ex Vat from www.overclockers.co.uk in the UK, and will soon be available for a similar amount from Super PC Mart in the US and Daiwa in Canada.
