A Cheap Graphics card with moderate features and functions. (PNY GeForce 9 9400GT)

Member Name: Gladiator007

Product:	PNY GeForce 9 9400GT
Date:	19/03/09 (893 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: HDTV support, TV out, higher resolution capability and cheap.

Disadvantages: Lesser core clock speed, not suitable for gaming and programming.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

PNY is a USA based manufacturing company well-known for manufacturing computer peripherals such as graphics cards and memory chips. They are widely famous for manufacturing flash memory cards and also usb flash drives as in pen drives. PNY is one of the popular brands in USA among the consumers on the subject of computer peripherals. Though, PNY also have branches in different famous locations both in Europe and Asia.

Geforce 9 series is the ninth batch of graphics cards provided by Nvidia, first launched in February, 2008. Geforce 9 series is widely renowned to the consumers for wide-ranging connectivity options and also higher resolution capability. Though, the 9 series is very high spec graphics card series, still 9400 GT model is being considered as the entry level graphics card, where as 9600GT and higher models considered as mid level and high end level series.


INTRODUCTION OF THE PRODUCT

Geforce 9400GT is first officially launched at end of August, 2008. On that time, it was widely praised for its comparatively smaller size (55nm) with admirable heat consumption facility. Over the period of time, there are much improved and modified models of Graphics cards being released with much better facility, but still 9400 GT is unique for its wide range of connectivity options and diverse types of video supports with brilliant video playback quality.


SPECIFICATION

1. It has been manufactured in 55 nm, smaller in size, with the less heat consumption facility and slim line design.
2. The core clock is relatively much lower than recent graphics card, although it supports up to 550 MHz accompanying with 1400 MHz as shader clock speed. Since it is one of the entry level graphics card from 9 series, hence it does not support the Over-clocking facility. This means, it does not allow the user manually speeds up the core clock speed and gets higher speed than its specification to get better performance.
3. 512 MB of Video memory installed in this card, supporting DDR2 technology.

INSTALLATION AND USER MANUAL

It's a plug in graphics card, but it definitely requires PCI 2.0 support in motherboard to install. It also requires a 16x slot in mother board to install and run in the system. The user manual is very helpful and easy to understand and shows the installation process to the consumer step by step, how to install this graphics card in to the slot of mother board.


CONNECTIVITY

When this graphics card released, it was widely famed for extensive connectivity options. Though, now days, almost every graphics card got similar connectivity options as this card. Still it is very helpful to the consumers. It has dual DVI input support, which means it will allow the user to enjoy the similar display support in two monitors in the very same time. It also has a HDTV output, enabling the user to enjoy HD video technology. It also comes with one TV -out in the back to facilitate the consumers. A HDTV break out cable also supplied to enjoy HDTV.


STANDARD FEATURES and ADVANTAGES

1. Manufactured and supported by Nvidia unified architecture, enables the user to enjoy more speedy performance, almost twice as it states in the specification.
2. It also supports Microsoft Directx 10 version, enables the user to enjoy high quality 3D support with shader model 4.0 support.
3. Nvidia Pure video HD technology enables the user to enjoy high quality HD video support with higher resolution and clearer picture with outstanding stability.
4. 3 years manufacturer's warranty.
5. Slim line design and glossy outlook.
6. Noiseless mini cooler fan on top.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

1. It only supports three types of operating system such as Windows XP, 2000 and also Windows Vista (32 bit).
2. At least requires 100 MB of free space in the hard disk to install and run properly.
3. PCI express compatible motherboard with 16x slot.
4. 1GB or higher ram in the system to operate properly with this graphics card.
5. Intel Pentium 4 prescott class processors or AMD sempron/Athelon(with higher frequency rate <2400 MHz and also higher cache memory <1024KB)
6. VGA or DVI compatible monitor.

INCONVENIENCES


The first thing we have to consider that, this is very basic and entry level card. So, 9400GT have very low core speed and also does not support over-clocking to facilitate the user higher speed performance.

MY OPINION and DECISION


There is nothing exhilarating about this graphics card. 9400GT has been considered as the entry level graphics card in Geforce 9 series, which means it will allow the users to enjoy the modern day multimedia fun with strictly limited functionality. Since it does not cost much (Price range is £40-£45), but supports HDTV and also tv-out, hence it is one of the best choice for general PC users. It will allow us to enjoy DVD, HD video with higher quality playback and also supports 2500x1600 in digital displays. But for avid gamers and programmers it is utterly not suitable. Without over-clocking facility and lesser core clock speed it will not serve the purpose to them. But if you don't have a graphics card in your system, but really interested to enjoy high quality video playback in your system, then it is one of the best choice. It is relatively very cheap, fulfils all the basic needs and comes with some wonderful and handy software.


WHERE CAN WE GET IT and WARRANTY


We can buy this PNY Geforce 9400GT from any high street computer and electronics shops(from£40 to £50). Though, its costs bit higher in Dell or Amazon compare to other shops.But in my personal opinion, it is better to buy from Amazon or Dell due to their undisputed reputation and excellent customer service. PNY also have online support specially dedicated for European customers regarding hardware warranty and also related software download.


Thank you for reading.


Cheers.


©Gladiator007

Summary: If you dont have any graphics card in your system, you can consider about this product.

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