• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Hardware Secrets

Hardware Secrets

Uncomplicating the complicated

  • Case
  • Cooling
  • Memory
  • Mobile
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Tablets
  • Motherboard
  • Networking
  • Other
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Consumer Electronics
    • Desktops
    • Museum
    • Software
    • Tradeshows & Events
  • Peripherals
    • Headset
    • Keyboard
    • Mouse
    • Printers
  • Power
  • Storage
  • Video

XGI Volari 8300 128 MB 64-bit Review

Our review of the newest graphics chip from XGI, Volari 8300, which is targeted to the entry-level multimedia PC market and has an embedded DVD decoder.

Home » XGI Volari 8300 128 MB 64-bit Review

Introduction

Contents

  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. The Volari 8300 Reference Board from XGI
  • 3. Main Specifications
  • 4. How We Tested
  • 5. 3DMark2001 SE
  • 6. 3DMark03
  • 7. 3DMark05
  • 8. Doom 3
  • 9. Far Cry
  • 10. Conclusions

Volari 8300 is the newest entry-level graphics chip from XGI. It is always good to see another company besides ATI and NVIDIA doing something. The reference board we’ve got from XGI had 128 MB on-board memory and a 64-bit memory interface, competing with Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory and with the 64-bit 64 MB version of GeForce 6200 TurboCache. XGI’s chip, however, has a built-in MPEG-2 decoder and video enhancer, i.e., with this video card DVD decoding is done by the video card and not by the system CPU, which can be a tremendous feature for entry-level multimedia PCs. GeForce 6200 also has this feature, but you need to buy a decoder software from NVIDIA that costs between USD 19.95 and USD 49.95, depending on the version (you can use it for free during the first 30 days). Radeon X300 doesn’t have this feature at all, while the new Radeon X1300 series has it.

If you are interested in knowing more about this subject, please read our tutorial Enabling 2D Enhancements on GeForce Series 6 and 7.

Volari 8300Figure 1: Volari 8300 from XGI.

Volari 8300 runs at 300 MHz with its memory running at 600 MHz using a 64-bit interface, just like Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory and some GeForce 6200 TurboCache (there are boards from this series with 32-bit memory interface). It graphics engine is DirectX 9.0, supporting Shader 2.0, so it is similar to Radeon X300, as both GeForce 6200 and Radeon X1300 are based on Shader 3.0, i.e., DirectX 9.0c. In our tests, however, this video card didn’t support antialising. According to XGI, this feature was not implemented because of the market this product is targeted (very entry-level) and to reduce its price.

Talking about pricing, XGI suggested price for this product is only USD 49.95, below the current market price for both Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory and GeForce 6200 TurboCache.

You can see in our tutorial “NVIDIA Chips Comparison Table” the difference between Volari 8300 chip and its competitors from NVIDIA, while on our tutorial “ATI Chips Comparison Table” you can compare it to its competitors from ATI.

Let’s now take a closer look at the reference board for Volari 8300 from XGI.

Continue: The Volari 8300 Reference Board from XGI

Video Reviews

Primary Sidebar

As a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, this site may earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions on purchases from other retail websites.

audio connectors on a motherboard (right) and ethernet + usb connectors (left)

How On-Board Audio Works

Learn how the sound card that comes embedded on your motherboard works.

How To Connect Your PC to Your Home Stereo or Home Theater

Learn how to hook your PC to your stereo or receiver in order to enhance you audio experience while playing games, watching videos, listening to music or even editing audio.

motherboard

Which is the best motherboard for Coffee Lake CPUs?

We compared seven different motherboards for Intel eighth-gen (Coffee Lake) CPUs, to help you to choose which one is the best for you. Check it out!

RAM Install

Does more RAM make difference in gaming performance?

Does installing more RAM in your computer improves gaming performance? We tested some recent games with 4 GiB, 8 GiB, and 16 GiB to find out. Check it out!

How to Refill Epson Cartridges

Learn how to reset the Epson cartridge chip, allowing you to refill the cartridge.

Footer

For Performance

  • PCI Express 3.0 vs. 2.0: Is There a Gaming Performance Gain?
  • Does dual-channel memory make difference on integrated video performance?
  • Overclocking Pros and Cons
  • All Core i7 Models
  • Understanding RAM Timings

Everything you need to know

  • Everything You Need to Know About the Dual-, Triple-, and Quad-Channel Memory Architectures
  • Everything You Need to Know About the SPDIF Connection
  • Everything You Need to Know About the Intel Virtualization Technology
  • Everything You Need to Know About the CPU C-States Power Saving Modes

Follow Us

Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · All rights reserved - Hardwaresecrets.com
About Us · Privacy Policy · Contact