Final Ratings
Highs
- DirectX 9 Features
- Good 2D Image Quality
- Decent Accessory Bundle
- Ample Memory (256MB)
- Albatron Build Quality
Lows
- Low Clockrates
- Getting Outdated Already?
Clearly, the Albatron FX5600EQ puts features ahead of performance. But the real question is what worth are the features if there is no performance to back it up. Although the graphics card has a next generation feature set, this future-proofing is null due to the lack of speed. Its performance will not be able to drive next generation games such as Doom 3 and Half Life 2 at acceptable resolutions with acceptable frame rates. Why Albatron choose to equip the FX5600EQ with such slow memory is beyond me. At $160 USD, your best bet would be to look another FX5600 with higher clock speeds or ATi’s 9600.
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