ASUS EN8800GTS TOP

INTRODUCTION

Just over a year ago or an eon when we're talking computer technology, NVIDIA® introduced the beginning of what might well be the longest running series of graphics solutions in history; the 8800. Initially the 8800 GTX reference card took center stage in November of 2006 and totally rocked the gaming world by being the fastest card the world had seen up until this time. In what most would call brilliant business strategy NVIDIA® then began to fill in the void created beneath the 8800 GTX with many different iterations of both lesser and overclocked cards all then based on their 90nm fabrication process also termed the G80.

Almost a year later when rumors were abounding about an even faster series of graphics solutions in the offing, NVIDIA® again came through. This time it wasn't a new series of cards, but a die shrink of their 90nm wonder to 65nm and a new moniker, the G92. If you are like us at Bjorn3D, you are in awe of the sheer number of different graphics solutions that have been created from one MCP/VPU and its substantive variants. There is most certainly a solution available for any consumer's needs. The only real problem is trying to keep up with all the model numbers as many of them have been used with both the G80 and G92 versions. Alas, we're a consumer enthusiast site and we're not focusing our attention on anything but the fastest and best in show.

With all of this being said, today we have the distinct pleasure of reviewing NVIDIA's most current work of art, the G92 version of their 8800GTS. Take this already fast graphics card and put it in the hands of ASUS, who is known for taking the best and making it even better and you have the product we will be reviewing, the Asus® GeForce® EN8800GTS TOP.

ASUS:  The Company

ASUS, a technology-oriented company blessed with one of the world's top R&D teams, is well known for high-quality and innovative technology. As a leading provider of 3C (computers, communications and consumer electronics) total solutions, ASUS offers a complete product portfolio to compete in the new millennium.

In 2006, the company shipped 55 million motherboards, which means one in three desktop PCs sold last year was powered by an ASUS motherboard. Our 2006 revenues reached US$16.5 billion, and is expected to garner US$23 billion in 2007.

ASUS products' top quality stems from product development. It's like learning Chinese Kung-Fu; one must begin with cultivating the "Chi" and inner strength. Besides innovating cutting-edge features, ASUS engineers also pay special attention to EMI (electromagnetic interference), thermal, acoustics and details that usually go unnoticed to achieve complete customer satisfaction. ASUS notebooks are the first TCO'99-certified notebooks worldwide. The requirements for this honor include radiation emission control, energy (battery consumption), ecology (environment friendly) and ergonomics.

To succeed in this ultra-competitive industry, great products need to be complimented by speed-to-market, cost and service. That's why all 100,000 over employees of ASUS strive for the "ASUS Way of Total Quality Management" to offer the best quality without compromising cost and time-to-market while providing maximum value to all customers through world-class services.

With unyielding commitment to innovation and quality, ASUS won 2,168 awards in 2006, meaning on average, the company received over 5 awards everyday last year. BusinessWeek ranked ASUS amongst its “InfoTech 100” for the 9th straight year. The readers of Tom's Hardware Guide, the world's largest IT website, selected ASUS as the best maker of motherboards and graphics cards. Furthermore, the company is ranked as No.1 in quality products and services by the Wall Street Journal.