Sapphire X1300 XT 256MB GDDR3 Overclock Edition
On now to Sapphire's X1300 XT Overclock Edition. We've been informed that the sample we were provided with was an production sample, not a retail model.
Despite its choice of PCB colour, Sapphire's cards rarely confuse readers in the HEXUS.pipelines forum... you're all just too clever for us!
Very similar to GeCube's card, save the lack of retention bracket for the cooler. One possible explanation is that it's of aluminium construction, unlike GeCube's offering, which is copper (copper's heavier). More on the cooler in a mo.
Avast, there only be one DVI port on this card, me hearties. There's still the full spread of TV connectivity options (s-video, composite and component) and there's an analogue VGA connector where we'd like to see the second dual-link DVI connection.
As previously mentioned, Sapphire has chosen an aluminium cooler for their X1300 XT. Aluminium isn't quite as good at conducting heat as copper, but it is a bit lighter.
Sapphire's cooler doesn't make contact with the RAM modules either. That's two wins for GeCube on the cooling front.
Bundle
What the blazes is that on the box?
There's an absence of a driver CD, but the bundle does include Cyberlink PowerDVD 6 2-channel. It can be upgraded to version 7 Deluxe for a saving of $40 over buying the full version outright. We suspect the lack of driver CD is just a slip up in our sample, rather than a sign of what'll be in retail packages.
A DVI to VGA dongle is included and we've no reason to moan at the lack of a second, given the card only has one DVI output. There's an s-video to composite adapter; bring your own s-video and composite cabling, folks. On the plus side, Sapphire do throw in a component breakout cable. A quick start guide finished off the bundle. Overall, Sapphire's bundle is better than GeCube's.
