TechnoVoyance - S3 Graphics Unveils Chrome 430 GT

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S3 Graphics Unveils Chrome 430 GT

Written by Stew

Thursday, 20 March 2008

After the announcement of its new GPU architecture the Chrome 400 Series a few weeks ago, S3 Graphics has just moments ago announced the first 400 Series product, the Chrome 430 GT. The Chrome 430 GT boasts the latest in gaming technologies with Microsoft DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL support as well as S3 Graphics exclusive ChromotionHD Video Engine, a fully programmable video architecture that breezes through Blu-ray and HD DVD playback at 1080p.

On sale at GStore and retailing for just under 60 bucks, the Chrome 430 GT should give mainstream users a radically improved experience in both gaming and video. I can say this with some confidence because I've actually used one. I manged to get my hands on a prototype of the card here the office and proceeded to build myself a decent wee gaming system based around it. Ok, so I only loaded two games on it - well I do have a job to do, can't let my boss catch me fragging away while I'm supposed to be working - and yes, neither of those games were Crysis.

Still, FarCry and Call of Duty 2 are no easy ride for a sub $60 card. My old 6600GT struggled with both and that was a good mainstream card two years ago. Overall, I'd have to say I was reasonably impressed with the way the 430 GT pumped out totally playable frame rates.

Sure, this is by no means a review. I'll leave that to those who know way more about gaming and graphics than myself, but for what it's worth, I'd gladly recommend the 430GT to anyone who simply needs more than integrated graphics, either for casual gaming or of course to enjoy the latest HD video experience.