Of course we could not leave out these pimps of overclocked hardware, XFX. Much like everybody else, XFX will release several version of the cards. The normal and XXX editions. We snagged the "XXX" editions from XFX and will have a look how well they perform.

XFX also submitted two cards, the 8600 GT and GTS. Both cards as any other card tested today are equipped with 256MB memory. Since we test the XXX editions, you can expect higher clocks on both core and memory. The GeForce 8600 GT therefore is clocked towards a nice 620 MHz on the core and 800 MHz on it's memory (540/700 is the reference clock). So this product will likely perform 10% slower than the GTS but is 25% cheaper. Notice the lovely black PCB and UV reflective DVI connectors.

XFX doin'it with their GeForce 8600 GT 256MB XXX edition

The second card we test is obviously the XXX edition of the 8600 GTS. Again a 256MB card based on the G84 graphics core. This card however is clocked fast... really fast. XFX will offer the GTX XXX edition at a 730 MHz core clock frequency and has the memory clocked at 1130 MHz making it the fastest card of the pack. Not only faster than the rest it also comes bundled with a full game, and not a cheap one either: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Very nice.

XFX GeForce 8600 GTS 256Mb XXX edition

The card is an XXX edition as well. I expect the final version also to have a black PCB and UV colored connectors but as our results will show .. it's really nice gear.

XFX includes:

• GeForce 8600 GT or GTS 256 MB XXX edition
• Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfigher with the GTS
• Driver CD
• SVideo cable
• 6-pin to Molex power cable
• VGA->DVI dongle
• Manual

The bundle is lacking a HDTV cable though, no included 3-way HD components RCA cable.  XFX offers a two year warranty here in Europe, whereas in the USA they have a different policy. So the XFX card definitely has the best looking proverbial cards on the deck here, yet with less warranty.

These are the cards we'll all put to the test today. But first, as always,  let's have a look at heat, power consumption and sound levels