Asus Extreme AX1800XT TOP
Too late, too pricey?
20th January 2006 15:01 GMT
The default clock speeds of 695MHz GPU and 800MHz memory are some way ahead of the default 625/750 on the reference product, giving the Extreme AX1800XT TOP main frequency boosts of 11 per cent and six per cent, respectively.
Those extra clock cycles are what mandate the cooler change and potential need for an external PSU. We say potential because the board can still be powered by a PSU, so long as that PSU is capable of supplying everything needed. There are more than a few high-end PSU models that have the stones to keep the Extreme AX1800XT TOP happy.
The bundle for the Extreme AX1800XT TOP is massive, frankly. You get a pair of DVI-I-to-VGA adaptors, two S-video extender cables, RGB component output cable, PCI Express power adaptor, VIVO cable (S-video and composite I/O), power cable for the external power supply (for a US plug in the review sample) and a composite video extender cable.
Along with a faux leather CD wallet, you get a fearsome array of software, including the brand new King Kong game. If controlling giant primates isn't your thing, Asus has thoughtfully thrown in copies of Cyberlink Media@Show SE 2.0 (for sharing and creating 'media'), Cyberlink PowerDirector3 SE (creating DVDs), Joint Ops: Typhoon Reason (decent game), Xpand Rally (loads of fun) and Project Snowblind (frantic FPS).
If that's not enough, you also get a driver and utility CD (although Asus SmartDoctor doesn't work with the X1800 yet), and a copy of Asus DVD 5.0, a passable DVD player software with a Cyberlink back-end.
It doesn't stop there. A bonus Gamepack CD (with fairly terrible games, though) partners a very decent dual-analogue gamepad. While it's no XBox 360 controller, it does hold nicely and it works perfectly fine with DirectX under Windows, connecting via a spare USB port.
The cable bundle would be somewhat impressive on its own since you don't always get component out, even with high-end boards, but the software bundle and gamepad do honestly add some value and desirability to the product. If you were looking to pick up a pad for your PC anyway, and the giant gorilla game gets you excited (it's awesome fun to play), the Extreme AX1800XT TOP bundle has you covered.
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