GIGABYTE GV-N240D5-512I Conclusion

The performance of this card was reasonable given its price and specifications. Full HDMI 1.3a support is a plus, but better gaming performance is available for very little more money.

The card's oversize fan and baroque plastic shrouding give it a muscular appearance.

The construction quality seems to be excellent. The substantial heat sink is attached with spring-loaded screws rather than push-pins, and the oversized fan is both quiet and effective, resulting in very low load temperatures.

The card provides basic GPU functions, and provides all the connectors one could expect. The ability to use HDMI audio without a separate connection cable is very convenient.

As of January 2010, you can buy the GIGABYTE GV-N240D5-512I video card for $99.95 at Newegg. This is $10-$35 less than a GTS 250, and $20-$30 more than a GT 220. The value is not so great if you consider the card only as an HTPC card or only as a gaming card, but it's reasonable when considered as both or as a dedicated PhysX or GPGPU card.

Pros:

+ Compact, quiet, low-power; excellent cooling
+ Full HDMI 1.3a support make it well-suited for HTPC or other similar system
+ Does not require additional power from PSU
+ Represents a substantial upgrade from older cards or integrated video
+ Would make a good low-end GPGPU node or dedicated Physx card

Cons:

- Dual-slot cooler doesn't seem to make sense on this class of card
- Better gaming performance available for slightly more money

Ratings:

• Performance: 7.00
• Appearance: 8.00
• Construction: 8.50
• Functionality: 7.50
• Value: 6.75

Final Score: 7.6 out of 10.

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