World in Conflict scores significantly less frames than the previous two games. Maximum detail settings have significantly and pleasantly improved the gaming, and resolutions such as 2048x1536 barely score playable FPS. In this game, XFX is no different from the other two 8800 GT cards, and we can honestly say that 8800 GTX isn't quite the champ, either.

SLI also scores lower than in previous tests. We see a 28 percent performance increase only at the highest resolutions. At lower resolutions, it performs just as subpar as the rest of the pack.



Finally, we come to Crysis demo. It seems that the drivers were optimized for 8800 GT – either that, or the game really likes faster Shaders. At 1280x1024, with antialiasing and aniso filter on, we played the game with all the cards, but 8800 GT SLI outperformed them all.

Although 8800 GT scored better average FPS than 8800 GTX, minimum FPS didn’t go in 8800 GT’s favor. Geforce 8800 GTX’s minimum FPS was 22, whereas 8800 GT’s was 17.5 FPS.



At given resolutions, XFX Alpha Dog was definitely the best card in this test.






Conclusion


XFX Alpha Dog 8800 GT XXX Edition is one of the fastest 8800 GT cards we’ve tested so far. At 670MHz core and 1675MHz memory speed, this card has enough muscle to even beat 8800 GTX in certain tests. The card features 512MB of GDDR3 memory, but unlike 8800 GTX’s 348 bit, this card packs only a 256 bit interface. For this money, the quality is unprecedented. The only true problem, however, is the critical unavailability of these cards.

With their Alpha Dog, XFX have proven that 8800 GT can safely be overclocked to these speeds, but faster speed requires a better cooler. The card’s cooler can easily manage speeds over 700MHz, but only at maximum RPM.

Other than the frequency and the card sticker, this card isn’t different from reference design cards from Nvidia. In the box you get Company of Heroes with DX 10 patch, and that tells you that you might want to consider installing Vista – if you already haven’t, that is.

These days we see more and more DirectX 10 games, so switching OS’s is not a bad idea.

We tested two 8800 GT cards, and they scored really well – we’d go so far as to say that it’s a better choice than buying a single Ultra or GTX card. However, again there is a problem with availability, so getting one of these babies will prove to be a difficult task, let alone going for two.

Whether your OS of choice is XP or Vista – XFX 8800 GT XXX is a great card, and it will definitely make your day. We recommend this card to anyone who desires more than reference 8800 GT cards.