Asus EN8500GT Silent Graphics Card

Asus EN8500GT Silent Graphics Card Review
Reviewed by: Denny Atkin
Review Date: August 2007

Based on the nVidia GeForce 8500 GT graphics engine, the Asus EN8500GT Silent is an inexpensive DirectX 10 (DX10) video card that offers excellent video playback and good desktop performance. Its slow 3D performance, however, has us wondering if the niche between the GeForce 8400 GS and GeForce 8600 GTS really needed to be filled.

This sleek blue PCI Express (PCIe) card features a large black heat sink that covers both the GPU and the 256MB of DDR2 memory—the “Silent” in the name refers to the lack of a fan. Like all GeForce cards, you can get a 3D-speed increase by pairing the EN8500GT with another GeForce 8500 GT card on a motherboard that supports Scalable Link Interface (SLI). On the back of the card, you'll find a dual-link DVI port that supports High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HCDP), a VGA port, and an S-Video port that can accommodate the included component-video adapter. Dual-link DVI allows the EN8500GT to support resolutions up to 2,048x1,536. The card doesn't, however, include a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) adapter, unlike the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT.

Desktop performance was very good, with the card turning in a Windows Experience Index score of 4.8, enabling it to run Windows Vista's Aero interface with all its features enabled. The card supports PureVideo HD; both DVD and high-definition content played back smoothly with top-notch visuals during our tests.

The GeForce 8500 GT supports the full suite of DX10 special effects found in games such as Company of Heroes. The EN8500GT was a poor performer in our 3D tests, however, delivering a jerky 17 frames per second (fps) in F.E.A.R. and 18.3fps in Company of Heroes at 1,280x1,024 resolution. It maintained frame rates much better at higher resolutions than its GeForce 8400 GS little brother did, managing 12fps in F.E.A.R. at a resolution of 1,600x1,200, compared with just 4fps for the 8400 GS. Still, none of these frame rates was fast enough to be playable, and we had to drop to a grainy 800x600 resolution or turn down the details to get an average frame rate higher than 30fps in these games. Older games will fare better at higher resolutions, though.

The overall poor 3D numbers leave GeForce 8500 GT cards in an odd place in nVidia's lineup. If 3D performance doesn't matter at all, then a less-expensive 8400 GS card will likely suffice. If performance is a concern, however, spending the extra cash on an 8600 GTS card will deliver playable frame rates at higher resolutions. The EN8500GT should interest people who value a noise-free environment enough that they're willing to turn down game visuals to achieve it.

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Mfr. Est. Price: $96.99