Overview
Today we are taking a look at a video card from XFX called the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition. This is the highest overclocked 9800 GTX that XFX sells, which should make this one of the best performing 9800 GTX cards available. Read the full XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition review for all the details.

Hands-On Review

Features & Specifications
The XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition has a core clock of 760 MHz and a memory clock of 2.28 GHz for the 512MB of GDDR3 RAM. The shader clock for the card is 1900 MHz. The card is PCI-Express 2.0 compliant, HDTV ready and HDCP ready. Outputs include dual DVI and a DVI to HDMI adapter is included. XFX also bundles a full copy of Call of Duty 4 with the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition.

Test Machine
My test machine has the following specifications:

• OS- Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit
• PSU- Top Power 1100W
• RAM- 2GB Kingston HyperX DDR3
• CPU- Intel QX9770
• Display- 30-inch Dell

3DMark06
The first test up for the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition is 3DMark06. I ran 3DMark06 at default settings in both the application and the NVIDIA control panel. The XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition scored as follows in 3DMark06:

• Total 3DMarks- 15032
• SM2.0- 6375
• HDR/SM3.0- 6324
• CPU- 4623
• Return to Proxycon- 53.178
• Firefly Forest- 53.074
• Canyon Flight- 60.531
• Deep Freeze- 65.952
• CPU1- 1.510
• CPU2- 2.265

To compare 3DMark scores to the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition the XFX 9800 GX2 Black Edition I recently reviewed scored 16642 3DMarks, the stock XFX 9800 GTX scored 14298, the BFG 9800 GTX scored 14201 3DMarks.

Bioshock
The first game test up was Bioshock. I ran Bioshock at 1920 x 1200 with all settings on high and all options on. I used Fraps to record the following frame rate data on the level where you have to open the medical bay emergency hatch. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 27 fps
• Avg- 54.773 fps
• Max- 61 fps

Crysis
The next game test up was Crysis. The game was run at 1920 x 1200 with 2x AA and all settings on medium. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data from the initial beach insertion until the first fight with enemy soldiers:

• Min- 30 fps
• Avg- 56.527 fps
• Max- 84 fps

Quake Wars
The final game test for the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition was Quake Wars. I ran the game at 2560 x 1600 with all settings on high, shaders on ultra and 4x AA. Fraps recorded frame rate data on a single player game on the Africa refinery map:

• Min- 14 fps
• Avg- 43.767
• Max- 61 fps

Final Thoughts
The XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition is the single fastest 9800 GTX I have tested to date. XFX also offers its fantastic double lifetime warranty and bindles the card with one of the best multiplayer shooters around. If you are in the market for a 9800 GTX the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition needs to be at the top of your list.

Verdict

Pros

• Great performance
• Great game bundle

Cons

• All black styling is a bit boring

Verdict
If you are looking for the best performing 9800 GTX, the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition is it. When you figure in the resale value of the card after you are done with it thanks to the double lifetime warranty and the Call of Duty 4 game its bundled with you really can't go wrong with the XFX 9800 GTX Black Edition.

I4U Rating: 9.5/10