Layout
The GeXcube Radeon 9600Pro EXTREME comes in your standard box packaging. Note the EXTREME sticker which makes it different from their standard 9600Pro. Inside, the card is wrapped by an anti-static bag together with the other bits and pieces included in the bundle.
The card itself looks very similar to the reference design with the exception of a space allocated for an optional video-in encoder chip. PCB is red with a HSF that seems to be an ATI original aluminum heatsink. Note that a fan grill was also fitted. An added plus. Noise is similar to the 2 other 9600Pros I have here in the labs which is quite silent. Obviously due to the low heat output of the 9600Pro core. There is also the presence of a TIM between the VPU and the heatsink which I think is a bad choice due to obvious reasons. A thermal paste would have preferable.
The 128mb memory used on this card are Samsung chips rated at 2.5ns, allowing for extreme overclockability. By now you have probably guessed that this is the main selling point of this card. Luckily, this card is equipped with some very nice aluminum ramsinks that will help squeeze out the last juice out of the very fast memory chip. Thermal tape was used to mate the ramsinks to the memory.
There is the presence of a VGA connector for analog CRT, an S-video connector for TV / VCR and a DVI-I connector for digital flat panel.
Bundle is basic comprising of a user manual, driver CD, PowerDVD XP software, DVI to VGA adapter and an S-Video cable. A full version of the game "Black Hawk Down" is also included as an extra. This is especially nice for those who likes this sort of games.
Next: Test Setup & Overclocking