Introduction:

    The Radeon X1600 series is designed to deliver outstanding digital entertainment and 3D graphics through its unique ultra-threaded architecture and Avivo video and display technology. The X1600 is CrossFire Ready to deliver the ultimate gaming performance. Radeon X1600 series transforms your PC with astonishing graphics performance and visual quality, creating a lifelike High Definition (HD) viewing experience with 3D games, DVD movies, and digital photography and video.

    The Radeon X1600 series of graphics cards is currently a mid-range card from the X1000 series. The Radeon X1600 comes in two flavors: the XT and the Pro. The XT runs at 590MHz, while the Pro runs at 500MHz. The card under review today will be the MSI RX1600PRO-TD256E which is also CrossFire "Ready"*

    *CrossFire Ready cards require an identical CrossFire Ready card or a CrossFire Edition card in order for the CrossFire feature to work.

 About the Company:

(1) About Directron.com

The Directron.com Advantages:

• Started as a wholesale distributor in 1991.

• Low, warehouse prices open to the public, updated daily.

• Over 12,000 items in stock with a wide selection of brands.

• 4,000 sq. ft. show room.

• 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse/office space.

• Shipping cost calculated in real time with zip code, weight, & UPS rates.

• Estimated UPS delivery time to your location.

• Online credit card authorization in real time.

• From one year up to life-time warranty.

• Secure on-line ordering with e-mail confirmations.

• A fast Yahoo web server with state-of-the-art security features

• Online package tracking.

• Easy return, exchange and refund/credit procedures.

• A hard-working team dedicated to QUALITY in products & services!

Packaging:

Retail Front

Retail Rear

Inside

A Closer Look:

    Geared as a mid-range graphics card back in December '05 and with the release of a few other cards since then, the MSI X1600PRo is not that "budget buster" we all hate. As I mentioned earlier, the X1600 series of cards come in several different types:

• 128mb/256mb/512mb versions and Pro/XT versions.

   The XT versions have higher clock speeds and run at 590 MHz while the Pro runs at 500 MHz. Another key feature is the Avivo decoding technology which has H.264 support, a codec that will play a role in watching HD video on your PC. This particular model has one DVI - 1 analog monitor connection and one TV out with HDTV support.

Top

Front

Rear

    The RAM used on the MSI unit are Infineon HYB18T256161AF-25.  The eight RAM chips, four on each side of the PCB and 2.5ins apart, are rated for an 800MHz (2 x 400MHz) operating frequency and have a combined capacity of 256MB. The RAM chips on the back side of the card are not cooled. So if you plan on oc'ing this card, please consider adding some heatsinks first.