MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 1GB Cyclone OC Video Card Review Linus Tech Tips
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Description
I think in future I'll stick to my normal style of unboxings, feature demonstrations, etc... When I try to throw it all together into a review, it comes out a little weird. Consider this episode a "limited edition"
The video presents a practical evaluation of the MSI GeForce GTS 450 1GB Cyclone OC graphics card, comparing it against contemporaries like the GTX 460 and the HD 5770. Linus lays out the test bench, including a high-end i7 processor with ample RAM and a power-sipping PSU to gauge real-world power draw. He shows the card on the test bench, explains the reasoning behind the chosen comparison products, and runs a series of benchmarks to quantify performance in synthetic tests as well as in-game scenarios. The early portion focuses on the GTS 450’s 3DMark/Vantage results, with the card achieving about 11,431 3D marks and a GPU score near 9,300 in Vantage, highlighting its position in the budget-to-midrange segment. Linus cautions that some benchmarks do not perfectly map to real-world gameplay, stressing that the in-game performance can vary from synthetic numbers. He then augments the review with in-game testing in titles such as Crisis and Mafia 2 at medium settings and HD resolutions, noting frame rates that remain playable for the price class, while acknowledging that more demanding details or anti-aliasing would impact performance. The video also covers practical considerations like power consumption, acoustics, and driver/overclocking tips, including MSI Afterburner settings and Nvidia driver updates, and closes with a candid assessment of value, future potential with partner cards, and a plan for deeper follow-up videos focused on OC and acoustics. In conclusion, Linus awards the card a C+ rating for this presentation, indicating that while the GTS 450 is capable and price-competitive, the review format could be streamlined and that next videos should include more direct rig reveals and deeper testing, particularly around overclocking and noise levels. He emphasizes that Mafia 2 with PhysX provides a solid gameplay edge on Nvidia hardware and teases future content showing OC results and acoustic measurements to better illustrate overall value, inviting viewers to subscribe for more content in this style.
Topics · graphics cards · tech reviews · computer hardware · hardware benchmarking
Questions answered
- What frame rates were observed in Crisis at 1680x1050 on the GTS 450, and how did the author describe its performance?
- Average FPS around 66 in the reported Crisis run at 1680x1050; the reviewer noted that Crisis performed respectably for the price range and that higher settings or anti-aliasing would reduce performance, but the card still delivered a usable experience.
- What conclusion did Linus reach about the GTS 450 Cyclone OC, and what future content did he promise?
- He gave the card a C+ rating for this presentation and promised upcoming videos on overclocking results, acoustic measurements, and a silent test bench setup to better illustrate noise levels and voltage adjustments.